the two "cities," and spent much of his time crossing the
high ridge that separates the two. He often wished that the miners, in
pursuit of gold-bearing gravel, had dug a passage-way through the ridge,
as they had done on the opposite side of Kanaka Creek, where there was a
tunnel from Chipp's Flat to Minnesota. But on this side of the creek
they mined for quartz. However, the miners were good patients, and some
day the doctor hoped to return to France with the gold his skill had
earned him.

With a Frenchman's zeal for science and thoroughness, he was a most
excellent physician. By the first of October, Robert Palmer was cured.
To the doctor it seemed almost a miracle; and he cautioned the old miner
kindly:

"Mr. Palmer, one can never tell about this malady. To-day you are well,
thanks to your remarkable constitution and a Frenchman's art. Next
month, perhaps"--and he shrugged his shoulders.

"If you have any business matters to settle, monsieur, any affair of the
heart, any will to make, you had better attend to such things while the
good Lord gives you strength."

Robert Palmer heeded this advice; and so, a few days after, when he had
returned to his house on Fillmore Hill, he wrote the following
remarkable document:

"Fillmore Hill, Oct. 12, 1880.

"I, Robert Palmer, the undersigned, of sound mind, declare this to
be my last will and testament. After my death it is my will that
after all just, honest debts and expenses are paid, if there is any
property left that it shall be divided equally between my nieces
and nephews: that is, each one shall receive an equal share; and it
is also my will that should a majority of my nieces believe money
or other property placed in the hands of any of their number would
not be used properly the others shall hold such money or property
and pay it to the owner at such times and in such amounts as they
may think best: and it is also my will that the same plan shall be
adopted and carried out with regard to my nephews as I have named
above for my nieces, except my nephews shall hold the property.

"Now then be it known that I hereby appoint as my administrators or
executors, to execute and carry out the above my will, the
following named persons, (to wit), John Hintzen of Forest City,
Sierra County; John Haggerty of Moore's Flat, Nevada County, and
Henry Francis of Moore's Flat, Nevada C