Daily Kennebec Journal

Miscellaneous.
AN OLD GOLD DIGGER.

The facts narrated herein were told us yesterday by a gentleman who declared he could vouch for their authenticity. A few days ago a man dressed in plain but neat clothes, presented himself at the office of the cashier of the United States Branch Mint, and said he would like to make a draft on the institution.

"Does the mint owe you anything?" asked the cashier.

"A small sum. I believe I have on deposit somewhere in the neighborhood of 160 ounces of gold dust."

"I don't remember having received any such sum recently."

"No: I reckon not, for you see I don't think you were here when I made the deposit," and the stranger produced from his pocketbook a brown, age-begrimed looking piece of paper, which he handed to the gentlemanly cashier.

The latter took the paper and read, "Received of one, in 1854, 160 ounces of gold dust, etc." and then exclaimed,

"Why this has been here for nineteen years:"

"I guess it's about that time. You see I came down from the mines in 1854, bringing with me some dust. A little dab I deposited here, while a good deal more was gambled and fooled away-drinking and sick. Then I really don't remember much more about what happened until I found myself at sea, in the forecastle of a ship. I was told that I had shipped as a sailor, and may be I did; at any rate there was no help for it, and I did my duty as well as I knew how until I was discharged in Australia. when I went off to the mines in that country, and have been trying my luck in almost every quarter of the globe. But times have changed a great deal from the flush days of early California. I could spin you an interesting life yarn, but this is not the time or place, so if the documents are all right I will trouble you for the little sum."

An examination of the books revealed the fact that the amount had been deposited and never called for. but was always kept in readiness for the depositor. The man was informed that the government did not pay interest on deposits, but was always ready to pay the principal. A few moments more and the equivalent of the dust deposited nineteen years before was handed across the counter and gathered up by the visitor, who, bidding the cashier "good day," went on his way rejoicing.-Alta California.