The Forgotten Chimney

By Bo Bartock

Meet Sam Baldwinn from New York city and Joe Tanner, a Cajun from Louisiana.  They both come to California  seperately seeking thier fourtunes.  On a chance encounter, they meet and strike up a lifetime partnership.  They will meet  and marry girls that are best friends.  Which will be a good thing as their lives will remain intertwined in thier endevors.  We follow these two couples through thier lives and watch what they create and the history they lived.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bo Bartock
• Release date: Aug 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393291947

Book preview

Chapter 1   

The Forgotten Chimney

Ayoung family, Mother, Father and young child were taking a break from their long hours of driving.  The desert can easily lull the senses of the driver with its miles of open sameness. They stopped here because they saw a chimney off in the distance. They were slowly strolling across the desert towards the lone standing fireplace and chimney.  Looking around as they meandered along, they began to discuss some of the area's history.  The young one, upon hearing the parent’s discussion, asks, Is this one of those hysterical places?  After sharing a smile and quick chuckle they explain the difference between hysterical and historical, so he understands and learns the difference.  By the end of their explanation they had reached the chimney and were starting to explore around the area.............

Well Howdy Folks - I see your admiring my fireplace and me........the chimney. Don't get many visitors stopping by now that aren't carrying spray paint.  Awwwww....... folks, you’re looking at me and my fireplace when we don't look so good.  Not much left of us now, folks.  Weather and time haven't been good to us. No Sir, not good at all.  Folks, we weren't always so poorly looking.  Once, we were a lovely adobe home.  We even had a family here, full of life they were too. And what lives they led!

Before I was that family adobe that saw so much life, I was simply a diggins, a gold mine. With tents, burro’s and two young men - My two 49'ers or gold miner's story started long before those diggins.  Sam Baldwinn left home from somewhere back in The Old States or back East for ya'll that didn’t know, at around the age of 15.  He was an only child.  His Mother died of Consumption around that time.  His Father was a big brute, with a hard-drinking habit that turned him into a drunken beast, that liked using his Son as a punching bag, so Sam left home.  Long before losing his Mother, he had taken to roaming the streets to avoid his Fathers drunken German rages and fist.  Even then, he was a strapping young man standing a good 5ft. 11 in., near 6 ft. and on the lean rangy side.  He had sandy blonde hair and crystal-clear blue eyes. He was already well on his way to becoming quite the handyman. Hating the grime, filth and crowding of the city, he wanted to leave it all behind.  He started out working his way on foot out to California, on his way, he heard about the Gold Rush going on.  After being on the road a few weeks, he needed to stop and work for food.  As he walked along the road, he saw what looked to be a promising farm, so he stopped to ask for work and food.  The farmer said there was a job. He could stay a few days and help to dig and build a storm cellar.  Well, Sam stayed and they built one of the best storm cellars in that entire area.  Farmer Anderson was well pleased, he and his family now had a safe place to weather storms in.  Sam had really impressed him with his work ethic and his excellent manners around his family that he chose to pay Sam with a horse and food.  He felt that a worker of Sam’s quality should ride to California, not walk. The farmer considered himself a respectable horse breeder and he bred excellent Morgan horses.  His horses were high-quality and extremely valued in the area.  He gave Sam one of his younger stallions complete with tack.  Farmer Anderson had taken a western saddle in from a trade.  He had planned to use it to train his riding horses to the western style.  But Farmer Anderson felt that Sam had earned it and more from him.  Sam was humbled by his offer and felt very honored by his generosity.  He proudly rode that Morgan all the way to California, working along the way for supplies.  Arriving by horseback allowed Sam to go directly to one of the many gold camps scattered about to see what he could learn. He rode among the many camps located in the area where he was.  He talked to as many miners as he could, or that would talk to him concerning gold.  Sam was a fast learner.  He very quickly realized he needed to go to the desert to mine.  Most all other places near or on the water were full up and way to dangerous. One old savvy miner had told Sam that the desert had good pickings if he knew where to look. Find quartz, find your gold.  Sitting down to a meal in one of the better cook tents in this one particular gold camp, he chanced to meet one Joe Tanner.  A young Cajun man from a huge family with many siblings from deep in the Louisiana Bayou Teche country.  He was the same age as Sam.  They made an odd pair.  Where Sam was on the fair side, Joe was swarthier.  Sam was light haired; Joe's hair was close to blue-black like a Ravens wing. Sam had clear blue eyes, a ready smile and a hard worker. Joe stood barely 5 ft. 6 in., with dark dancing eyes always full of mischief.  He was muscular where Sam was lean.  He was also a hard worker, that’s all they knew, was hard work.  As they sat talking over pie and coffee, the idea of a partnership was born and quickly struck.  After paying for their meals, they stepped outside the cook tent onto the wooden walkway, there, they quickly sealed their deal with a solid spit handshake.  That handshake was the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Mr. Sam Baldwinn and Mr. Joe Tanner.   It wasn't an easy feat, but between the two of them, they were at last able to find two burros to load up.  Once they were purchased, they had to get the burros pack saddles or braces. They need to get their supplies as well.  That caused them their first serious discussion. There would be many more of them over time.  They finally settled on carrying beans, coffee, jerky, hardtack and a couple cans of very pricey Peaches. They also splurged on a cone of sugar for their coffee.  They added shovels, pickaxes and gold pans at even at higher prices.  Since they were just starting out, they need a frying pan or Dutch oven. They chose the Dutch oven; it was more useful to them.  They need tin cups, tin plates, 2 spoons and the all-important coffee pot.  Thankfully Joe had obtained a horse when his ship landed so that was one less expense.  Sam had his Morgan riding horse, Captain.  However, the horses meant they needed to also pack some grain for them.  That took them longer to find in the gold camps. But Joe could talk the leaves off the trees if he chose to. He had the Frenchman’s gift of gab and a bit of blarney too.  He was able to talk around one of the store owners and acquired grain for their horses.  Sam was amazed at his new partner and knew he had chosen well.  Sam would see Joe use his gift many more times over their years together.

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 2   

Sam Baldwinn left home from somewhere back in The Old States or back East for ya'll that didn’t know, at around the age of 15.  He was an only child.  His Mother died of Consumption around that time.  His Father was a big brute, with a hard-drinking habit that turned him into a drunken beast, that liked using his Son as a punching bag, so Sam left home.  Long before losing his Mother, he had taken to roaming the streets to avoid his Fathers drunken German rages and fist.  Even then, he was a strapping young man standing a good 5ft. 11 in., near 6 ft. and on the lean rangy side.  He had sandy blonde hair and crystal-clear blue eyes. He was already well on his way to becoming quite the handyman. Hating the grime, filth and crowding of the city, he wanted to leave it all behind.  He started out working his way on foot out to California, on his way, he heard about the Gold Rush going on.  After being on the road a few weeks, he needed to stop and work for food.  As he walked along the road, he saw what looked to be a promising farm, so he stopped to ask for work and food.  The farmer said there was a job. He could stay a few days and help to dig and build a storm cellar.  Well, Sam stayed and they built one of the best storm cellars in that entire area.  Farmer Anderson was well pleased, he and his family now had a safe place to weather storms in.  Sam had really impressed him with his work ethic and his excellent manners around his family that he chose to pay Sam with a horse and food.  He felt that a worker of Sam’s quality should ride to California, not walk. The farmer considered himself a respectable horse breeder and he bred excellent Morgan horses.  His horses were high-quality and extremely valued in the area.  He gave Sam one of his younger stallions complete with tack.  Farmer Anderson had taken a western saddle in from a trade.  He had planned to use it to train his riding horses to the western style.  But Farmer Anderson felt that Sam had earned it and more from him.  Sam was humbled by his offer and felt very honored by his generosity.  He proudly rode that Morgan all the way to California, working along the way for supplies.  Arriving by horseback allowed Sam to go directly to one of the many gold camps scattered about to see what he could learn. He rode among the many camps located in the area where he was.  He talked to as many miners as he could, or that would talk to him concerning gold.  Sam was a fast learner.  He very quickly realized he needed to go to the desert to mine.  Most all other places near or on the water were full up and way to dangerous. One old savvy miner had told Sam that the desert had good pickings if he knew where to look. Find quartz, find your gold.  Sitting down to a meal in one of the better cook tents in this one particular gold camp, he chanced to meet one Joe Tanner.  A young Cajun man from a huge family with many siblings from deep in the Louisiana Bayou Teche country.  He was the same age as Sam.  They made an odd pair.  Where Sam was on the fair side, Joe was swarthier.  Sam was light haired; Joe's hair was close to blue-black like a Ravens wing. Sam had clear blue eyes, a ready smile and a hard worker. Joe stood barely 5 ft. 6 in., with dark dancing eyes always full of mischief.  He was muscular where Sam was lean.  He was also a hard worker, that’s all they knew, was hard work.  As they sat talking over pie and coffee, the idea of a partnership was born and quickly struck. 

After paying for their meals, they stepped outside the cook tent onto the wooden walkway, there, they quickly sealed their deal with a solid spit handshake.  That handshake was the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Mr. Sam Baldwinn and Mr. Joe Tanner.   It wasn't an easy feat, but between the two of them, they were at last able to find two burros to load up.  Once they were purchased, they had to get the burros pack saddles or braces. They need to get their supplies as well.  That caused them their first serious discussion. There would be many more of them over time.  They finally settled on carrying beans, coffee, jerky, hardtack and a couple cans of very pricey Peaches. They also splurged on a cone of sugar for their coffee.  They added shovels, pickaxes and gold pans at even at higher prices.  Since they were just starting out, they need a frying pan or Dutch oven. They chose the Dutch oven; it was more useful to them.  They need tin cups, tin plates, 2 spoons and the all-important coffee pot.  Thankfully Joe had obtained a horse when his ship landed so that was one less expense.  Sam had his Morgan riding horse, Captain.  However, the horses meant they needed to also pack some grain for them.  That took them longer to find in the gold camps. But Joe could talk the leaves off the trees if he chose to. He had the Frenchman’s gift of gab and a bit of blarney too.  He was able to talk around one of the store owners and acquired grain for their horses.  Sam was amazed at his new partner and knew he had chosen well.  Sam would see Joe use his gift many more times over their years together.

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 3   

Those boys were finding out that mining was hot, dusty, tiring back-breaking work.  Even with a great set-up for their camp, they were finding sleeping on the ground was not helping them get the rest and sleep they needed. The same rocks making them money were also some of the same rocks under their sleeping area, gouging them in the back. They had tried to clear out the rocks for a sleeping place but all they found was more rocks. They were young and strong, but even young bodies need good rest.  Sam told Joe about the adobe flat he'd found.  It was then and there they decided on very different living arrangements.

With the decision made, they chose a nice flat place a bit of a distance away from their diggings.  Once they agree on the place, they pace off where they want to build. They began the hard work of creating a bachelor’s adobe dwelling.  They had to haul water, dig and haul the adobe dirt and cut and dry desert grasses.  With the little wood they had, they made brick forms to dry the adobe in.  This was a time-consuming task.  During the day, they worked the diggins.  In the evening before having their supper, they’d mixed adobe and made blocks.  This way, they could dry and cure while the boys worked the mine. After they had made up and dried enough adobe bricks, the build started. They made a nice sung little bachelor adobe place.  They made sleeping platforms to get them off the rocky ground.  They’d put in window openings for air flow day during the day or night for cooling. They constructed a type of small beehive type of fireplace for meals. But they always had the campfire option if it was too hot to cook inside.

That little adobe worked well for them and they were soon back to normal.  Getting their rest made all the difference.  They had been on the diggins for about 2 years now, doing well.  After the Flash Flood, they encountered while searching for a mine site that gave them Old Burro, it turned hot and dry for a noticeably unusual long spell.  Luck was with them as their spring wasn't bothered by the drought.  Getting up early, before Joe a couple of mornings in a row, Sam noticed a tired, mangy old she-wolf hanging around trying for an easy meal.  The last thing the boys wanted was a wolf pack coming down on them hungry.  Sam woke Joe and told him he intended to track that she-wolf.  After their breakfast, Sam saddled up Captain and rode out to the hills.  He easily tracked her, she was old and didn't care anymore.  He found her near her den.  He heard a noise inside, so he rode closer to try to look inside.  It was too dark for him to see from the horse. Turning his horse, he rode over to a tree and tied him.  Looking around for the she-wolf, he found her.  She was a few feet away, laying on her side, facing the den, watching him, her breathing shallow.  Approaching the den on foot he looked inside.  Inside was one extremely tiny, runty little pup. The pup looked to be less than a week or so old.  His eyes weren't even open.  Sam wasn't sure what that she-wolf would do if he went for her pup, but he did.  He’d gotten down on the ground and reached inside for the shivering little wolf scrap.  Getting to his feet, he placed the pup in his shirt for warmth.  Looking towards the she-wolf, she hadn't moved.  He slowly and cautiously approached her.  She heard her little pup whimper inside Sam’s shirt.  Locking eyes with Sam, she feebly thumped her tail a couple of times.  Closing her eyes and heaving a huge final sigh was gone.  Something about it, a wild thing, a momma, bringing him to save her baby touched him to his core.  He pulled out the pup, then took off his shirt to wrap him in. He placed the bundled pup in the sun to get the warmth.  Walking back over to the old she-wolf, he gently picked her up.  She was really nothing but skin and bones. How she found the strength to have birthed her pup he didn't know. He carried her over to the small den she was using and placed her inside.  He then set about gathering all the rocks he could find.  He closed the opening and piled a lot more rocks there to keep her safe from becoming a meal for her own kind.  Going to the pup, he unwrapped him.  Putting his shirt back on, he gently put the pup back inside his shirt, near his skin to keep him warm. 

He walked over to his horse to mount up, but his Captain had an intense issue with the strong scent of wolf all over Sam.  After thinking on the problem, Sam hit on a fix.  He again removed the pup and his shirt.  Re-wrapping the pup, he placed him up on a high rock.  Walking back to his horse now, he was able to mount up.  This done, he guided the horse over to the rock and reached for his bundle.  Captain still wasn't happy, but the smell was less.  Sam guided them back to the adobe and Joe.  Since Joe didn't see a kill, he figured Sam lost her, then he heard a whimper, then another.  Sam pulled out the little pup to show Joe, telling him the whole story.  From then on, Sam had another lifelong friend.  They added the care of the pup to their digging schedule, and he grew and thrived.  Sam and Joe and Old Burro became his pack and he in turn became Old Wolf.

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 4   

The boys had been in the tiny adobe and on their diggins for about four years now.  They were both becoming homesick.  The diggings were doing well, not rich, but it had easily covered their coffee, beans and blasting materials with enough left over to bank.  It had been awhile since they had made a trip to the crusher, so they knew they had funds.  They’d had many discussions over their suppers on what to do about their homesick problem.  Joe, always one to joke around said, Let us build us a fine fireplace and chimney like they have back among people. Sam chewed over this idea of Joe's.  In the end, he agreed with Joe.  But he had another concern he wanted to voice.  He thought they needed to get a small size ore wagon for the diggins.  Their burros couldn't carry the loads anymore.  That said, he let Joe think that over.  Joe quickly saw the benefits of this.  It was then that Sam dropped the other shoe on Joe.  He wanted only mules to pull their wagon.  They were a calmer steadier animal.  Joe had no problem with that.  He actually agreed with Sam.  So, it was, the boys agree again.

They started filling their ore sacks the next morning. They already had more than enough mined ore to make the load.  Sam planned on using Old Burro on the trip since they had a spare rack for him and needed the extra ore for things they wanted to do.  Old Burro wasn’t pleased to be carrying a rack and ore, but he would do anything for Sam.  By the days end, their sacks were all packed and ready to load on the three burros’ come morning.  Their plan was to ride their horses and lead the burro’s.  That is all but Old Burro.  He trotted by Sam’s side or not all.  The stock was given a bit of grain that night for the next day’s trek.

The boys went back to their little bachelor’s adobe. They had a filling dinner of beans, jerky and coffee, turning in right afterwards for a good night’s sleep.  Rising before sunup, they quickly saddled their horses and had their saddlebags loaded with their needed supplies.  The burros took a little longer to load.  They had to make sure all the loads were even. As the faintest light of a rosy pre-dawn light broke the sky in the East, they were ready to ride out.  Sam asked Old Wolf to stay and guard the place.  Wolf whined over not being allowed to stay with Sam, but he listened.  He didn’t like Old Burro going and not him.  Sam really hated to leave him as well, but even at his young age, he was showing all the signs of being a huge Alpha wolf.  Sam didn’t think the townsfolk would take to kindly to a huge Alpha Wolf trotting thru town like a trained ranch dog.  So, Old Wolf stayed on to guard the place as Sam had asked him to do.

Their trip to the crusher took more time than normal.  Their animals were loaded, so they boys hadn’t wanted to push them hard.  They had planned their trip stops by all the known springs for water for the animals.  Once they reached the crusher, their ore was assayed.  Because their ore assayed out as very high grade, they were paid a fine price.  With the ore taken care of, they were now ready to take the next step of their plan.  Riding over to the Livery Stable, they met the liveryman and after handshakes and a bit of small talk, they made arrangements to stable their horses and burros.  While talking to the liveryman, they explained that were seeking a pair of good pulling jack mules, hopefully Mammoth Jacks.  Being a good liveryman, he tried hard to sell those boys on draft horses.  He just happened to have two pulling pair on hand.  They boys stood and admired the draft horses and still asked about the mules.  He gave in.  He did have what they wanted out back.  One of the local mines always had plenty of stock. They sold off pairs of young ones if they had too many on hand.  He had only just this week taken on four trained mules from them.  They were being held out back.  As the three of them turned to head out back, Joe took the lead.  As soon as he saw them, he stepped into the corral to look them over.  He went over those mules from mouth to tail and back again.  He checked their feet, legs, eyes, teeth, and chest.  Once Joe was done, the real fun began.  A horse trader and a Frenchman – they both highly enjoyed the dance of the deal.  In the end, everyone was pleased with their deal.  Sam paid him right off and arranged their board till they left town.  They asked after a blacksmith, learning that his name is Carl Otto.  He had a reputation of crafting the best wagons around.  Leaving their horses at the livery, they walked over to the smiths.  Once there, they introduced themselves to Mr. Otto.  He asked them to call him Carl.  Mr. Otto was his long- departed Pa.  They explained to Carl what they needed in a wagon.  He led them to his back-storage yard where he showed them what he had on hand.  With their luck still holding, they found the one they wanted.  Joe went to work.  By the time they had finished with their talk, and a fair price was at last reached, Sam paid him on the spot.  He agreed to hold their wagon until they left town.

Walking back in to town proper, they stopped at the boarding house to secure a room for the night.  From there, they headed over to the General Store for new clothes, their small reward to themselves.  They had bought only what they need at the diggins for so long now that they were long over-due new clothes.  The clothes were delivered to the Barber.  This moved them on to the next stop, the Hardware Store.  Sam kept seeing this cute little red-haired girl flitting from store to store around town.  He vowed to find out who she was.  At the hardware store, they ordered their bricks and mortar for their fireplace and chimney.  They settled on a freight fees and approximate delivery date.  While Sam was paying them, Joe was drawing them a map and giving them directions to the diggins.  Before leaving the store, Sam asked after the red-haired girl. Sam learned that she was Miss Comfort Beal.  Sam thanked them as the boys walked out.  Walking to the Barber shop, both were very pleased with the way their plans were falling into place.  Their clothes were already at the Barbers.  Once there, they arranged for a bath and shave each.  Once they had cleaned up and donned their new clothes, they were off to the restaurant for a nice dinner of something other than beans and jerky.  They were served a wonderful home-cooked meal while they sat at the prime table in front of the window.  Joe’s hand stops mid-way to his face, fork paused in midair, mouth hanging slightly open, staring out the window.  Walking by with her family was a very tall striking blonde young lady.  Regaining some sense, he called the waiter over to inquire after her.  He learned that her name was Miss Mary Ellen Hart, long time town resident and current school mark.  Joe shook himself and finished eating.  They shared a beer after dinner and were off to bed, tomorrow was another long day for them.

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 5   

The boys were up very early having breakfast at the restaurant that next morning.  As they were finishing up, they noticed both girls from yesterday stroll by the window together.  They jumped up to follow them placing the money and tip on the table.  After following them for about a block, Miss Comfort, the red-head of course, stopped, with her hands on her hips questioned them as to just what did they want and why were they following them around?"  Joe, being the ever glib one said that He and Sam wanted to meet the two prettiest girls they ever laid eyes on.  Since the girls were in public and together, they saw nothing wrong with an introduction.  Joe introduced himself and then Sam.  Comfort introduced Miss Mary Ellen and herself.  They all shook hands.  They boys asked if they could see them on their next trip to town.  The girls agree, but the boys must first speak with their Fathers.  The boys agree as they exchanged a bit more small talk and went their separate ways that day.

The girls moved on sedately down the sidewalk in their continued stroll down the street. After the boys were far enough away, the girls strolled around the corner out of site.  There they acted like children again, giggling and laughing and tiny foot stomping.  They both knew then and there that they were going to marry those two boys.  Miss Comfort was in awe of Sam’s height, ready smile and twinkling crystal blue eyes.  She stood about 5ft. 1 in, had curly fire red hair, freckles and bright green laughing eyes.  She was what would be considered curvy, wasn't afraid to speak her mind, known to have a fast temper, but was a fun-loving generous soul.  She also had a huge family, with lots of Brothers and Sisters.  Miss Mary Ellen was just the opposite of Miss Comfort.  Miss Mary stood 5ft. 8 1/2" in stockings. She was rail thin, Blonde hair, bright intelligent Hazel eyes, English Rose skin with a cute turned up nose.  She had a rare and unique sense of humor that Comfort adored.  Comfort helped out at home, with such a vast family, it was necessary.  Miss Mary Ellen taught school for the younger children.  She was also a bit more reserved around folks than Miss Comfort.  Comfort put that off to being an only child.  They have been best friends since they were mere babies together.  Both these girls were known as the town Belles. But they hadn't found anyone anywhere that got their attention till meeting Sam Baldwinn and Joe Tanner.  Of course, they told their Fathers that evening at Supper.  Both Fathers along with their Mothers were completely surprised as neither girl had ever shown any interest in any of their Gentleman callers before now.  They couldn't wait to meet the young men that had finally turned their girl’s heads.  In the meantime, they would ask around town about them. 

Still walking on air, the boys stopped at the Livery for their mules.  They walked them down to the blacksmiths place.  Carl was so pleased they paid him right off that he supplied the harness needed for their wagon hitch.  After massively thanking him, they drove their new ore wagon back to the Livery for their stock.  Sam’s horse, Captain and the two burros were tied to the back.  Joe and Sam would take turns riding and driving.  Sam was to drive first.  Remember Old Burro, he couldn't see Sam sitting up in the front of the ore wagon.  No Sam, no move.  To settle the problem, they found a board to make a ramp and let Old Burro into the wagon.  He could see Sam now, he was happy.  He then curled up and took a nap.  They were smart enough to know they would need that wood again when it was Joe's turn to drive. So, they placed it in the wagon too.  They plotted their way back by the spring route since they had even more stock this trip.  At their campfire that night, Sam told Joe he was going to marry that fiery red-haired little gal.  Joe was quite a bit before saying, Well Sam, I am mighty pleased to hear you say that. I was afraid we'd have a problem over that beautiful tall blonde young lady, because I'm going to marry her.  This got a laugh from them both.  Shaking hands with much back-slapping and grinning like fools, they tended the fire, rolled up in their bedrolls and were instantly asleep.  The next day was much the same, but they would be home tonight.  As they got closer to the adobe, Wolf heard them coming. He came loping out to meet them and to check out this noisy thing they were bringing home. There were different scents all over his pack.  The new mules however were not happy at all to have a huge wolf come loping up at them.  At the same time, Old Burro in the back caught Wolfs scent and wanted out to his best friend.  It was near to becoming a complete free for all.  Sam hauled on the wagon break, stood up in the wagon and roared.  Everything froze in place, including Joe.  After that, everything just kind of stood there in state of shock.  Joe was the first to recover.  He chased back Wolf as Sam was unloading Old Burro.  Once he was loose, the two ran off together like a pair of rescued children towards the diggings, playing as they went.  They had sorely missed each other.  With the huge wolf further away and not a threat anymore, the mules were their calm selves again and ready to go towards the diggins.  They parked the wagon and unhitched the mules placing them in a rope corral for the night.  They were already slowly accepting the wolf.   They reasoned that if the burro liked him, he couldn’t be all bad.  Which was a good thing since he would be their protection. The boys unsaddled and brushed down their horses and put them in with the mules and burro's.  This all done, they grabbed their saddlebags and started to the adobe. While getting supper that night, they talked of all the things they needed to do before the bricks arrived.  With this long list of work in the front of their minds, they turned in ready to for another early start the next day.

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 6   

That ore wagon was used for more than ore that year.  They drove the wagon up some ways into the hills.  There they gathered Juniper branches to use for fencing for the corral.  Using those limbs, some wire and some of their wood, they built corrals and lean-tos for the stock.  They were able to channel the flow of the spring to water everyone.  With that done, they decided to move some little trees down to the adobe to grow-up to shade it. That bit of work took then awhile longer than they wanted. They had to break up the ground to dig it to plant those trees.  They gathered wild grasses from the desert to re-plant around the diggins for the animals.  They had quite a gathering of stock now.  There were their three burros’, four mules, two horses and a wolf.  They also knew they would need more adobe in the future, so they hauled in a couple of wagons of adobe dirt.  Their bricks and mortar arrived as promised.  Hiram, the Muleskinner and freight driver helped them unload and started back on his way.  He wasn’t too thrilled to be in the company of the wolf.   Those boys were so excited to get those bricks in that they wanted to start that day.  However, they knew they couldn't work it till the next day.  Since they need water for the mortar, they worked out a schedule.  They would work the diggins one day and build the next day. They would stop a little early on digging days to fill up the water barrels on the ore wagon for building the next day.  This plan worked out very well as it allowed their work to cure good in the hot sun between additions.  Working in this manner, they had a fireplace and nice chimney (me) in record time.  They were very well pleased with their finished work.  But since it turned out so well, they wanted to make it pretty.  They hobbled the stock and left Old Burro and Old Wolf in charge till they returned.  With only the horses, their trip was faster by far but was still a long ride back to town.  There they paid a visit to Ruiz, the Mexican Potter at the edge of town.  After talking to him, he had an idea of what they wanted.  He let them look at his fireplace.  It was indeed a look they wanted.  They saw hand painted, fired and glazed tiles. Very festive colors with local scenes.  Ruiz worked out how many they need and the cost.  Sam told him to add the freight charges too.  Ruiz said he delivered himself.  So, Sam told him to include the charge and pay himself.  Ruiz finally agreed.  They left him directions and a crude map; he gave them an approximate delivery date.  They next rode over to the wood cutters/workers place some ways back from town.  There they ordered a Redwood mantelpiece for their fireplace.  The boys gave them the dimensions they need.  They should have it for them by months end.  Since they had two things coming to out, they made arrangements with them to take it to Ruiz and he would deliver it with their tiles.  That worked for them.  The wood workers didn't charge them freight cost. They figured out a price with Joe and Sam paid them.  They rode back to Ruiz to ask him to him to deliver the mantel.  He had no problem with doing that for them.  Leaving Ruiz's place, they rode over to the boarding house. They arranged for lodging for the night. This time with meals. Then off for new clothes, nicer ones this time. Again, their new clothes were sent over to the barbers.  They paid for the works - bath, shave and a haircut. Stepping outside in new clothes and freshened up, they flagged down a couple of young boys.  They gave them a penny each to lead them to the Hart and Beal homes.  Another penny promised if they would deliver a note once there.  Chuck and Larry agree.  Chuck led Sam off to the Beal house.  When it was time to deliver the note, Chuck turned and bluntly asked Sam what he wanted with his big Sister, and that his intentions better be good or he’d whup him.  Sam was so surprised, that all he could think to say stammering, was to asked Chuck if his Father, Mr. Roy Beal was home.  It was near Dinner time so he was in.  Chuck took him inside and fetched his Pa.  Sam introduced himself to Mr. Beal with a firm handshake.  Mr. Beal noticed Chuck hanging around and sent him away.  Mr. Beal took Sam into his Office, shutting the door behind them.  They sat down and Mr. Beal asks right off if he was here about Comfort.  Sam was surprised by such a direct family, it fascinated him, but he answered politely that yes, he was here about Miss Comfort.  He wanted to court and marry Miss Comfort if she'd have him.  After talking to Sam for about 1/2 and hour, he finally agreed to Sam's proposal, that is if Comfort wanted him, he said with a smile.  He could smell his dinner and was hungry, he ended the interview.  They stood up and shook hands. Mr. Beal opened the office door only to have Chuck fall into the room in a heap.  Mr. Beal picked him up by his collar, saying Don't ease drop Son, it's not a manly thing to do, dusted him off, gently swatting him and sent him for his sister.  Mr. Beal invited Sam to stay for Dinner.  Comfort knew Sam was here because Chuck ran to tell her once Sam entered the Office with their father.   She waited a little before coming down.  She didn't want to appear to come rushing to him.  She came down and they talked for a bit then her Mother, Mrs. Lulu Beal came in. Sam stood up and Comfort made introductions.  Mrs. Beal announced dinner.  Sam led Miss Comfort in to the dining room.  There, he was amazed at the gathering around the table.   Comfort did indeed come from a huge family.  To an only child like him, it was indeed a huge gathering.  Joe was faring nearly as well as Sam.  Larry took him to the Hart house.  He was in luck; Mr. Sol Hart was also at home for his dinner.  Larry delivered the note for his second promised penny.  Mr. Hart read the message and asked Larry to bring the young man to his door.  Larry lead Joe to the gate, received his penny, then took off like a shot with his treasures tightly clutched in his hand.   Joe opened the gate and walked up the stairs and across the porch to meet Mr. Hart. They shook hands and Mr. Hart brought Joe inside.  He took Joe to his Den to talk, shutting the door behind them.  He offered Joe a smoke or a drink.  With his southern manners, he respectfully declined both offers telling Mr. Hart that he didn't smoke and only drank on very special occasions.  They shared small talk for a while.  Mr. Beal, knowing his Dinner was nearly ready, asked Joe why he was there.  What Joe didn't know was that Mr. Hart had already had an earful from Mary Ellen about Joe and hoped he was here to court her.  Joe swallowed many times, cleared his throat, gathered his courage and asked Mr. Hart for his permission to court and marry Miss Mary Ellen.  Mr. Hart had checked on Joe and Sam previously and was ready with his answer.  He gave his permission, but only on the grounds that Miss Mary Ellen approved, she was their only child, so her parents wanted her to be happy. He again shook Joe's hand and invited him to stay for Dinner.  Joe accepted so he could see Mary Ellen.  Mr. Hart called up to Mary Ellen to come downstairs.  She knew Joe was there as she had noticed him on the street outside earlier standing with Larry and was ready for her Father's call.  However, she too waited to came down and join Joe. She too didn't want to appear over eager.  They made small talk for a few minutes before Mrs. Della Hart called them in to dinner.  Once seated and Grace was said, Mrs. Della began serving their plates.  They had a lovely dinner.  After they ate, Mrs. Hart suggested they go for a stroll.  Mary Ellen wanted to clear the table and help her Mother but was sent along with Joe.  After walking some little ways, they were soon joined by Sam and Miss Comfort on their stroll.  They set a time for their next visit to town to see the girls then escorted them home, by the long route of course.  It didn't take the boys long to learn that their girls were best friends just like they were.  That fireplace/chimney trip sure helped take care of their homesickness.  (or was it the pretty girls that did it). 

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 7   

The boys made good time getting home. They were in high good spirits.  They had big plans.  Ruiz was good to his word and even a little early in his delivery of their Mexican fireplace tiles and special-order Redwood mantel.  They all got busy to unloaded his wagon.  Ruiz liked the place Sam and Joe had settled in and he liked them so much that he offered to stay and help them finish up the fireplace.  With three handy folks working on it, those tiles and mantel were set in no time.  While there, Ruiz taught them how to spice up their beans with chili peppers and onions and how to make tortillas to go with them.  After supper on Ruiz's last night with them, he brought out his guitar and played and sang for them.  On his last song, Wolf had to join in and have his song too.  That caused them all a good laugh before turning in, relaxed for the night.  Early the next morning after breakfast, they said their good-byes to Ruiz.  Before leaving they asked Ruiz to take letters to their girls.  He happily agreed.  Thanks to Sam, Joe and Ruiz's handy work, I was very well built. That’s why I am still standing here today sharing my many memories - so very many memories.

Memories, oh yes, there are memories aplenty of that time. Why Folks, there was this once when the boys left their door open being as it was a hot night with no breeze at all.  They were waiting for the nightly breeze to stir the air and for the desert to cool off as it does at night.  They were startled awake to a clatter and a ruckus inside the adobe with them.  From the full moonlight shining like near daytime in the now fully opened door, they saw a young bear lapping up their only sweets they had at the time, their honey.  They had developed a taste for honey with the bucket Joe had brought back to camp when filing their claim.  They had taken the time from the diggins to go find their own honey tree up in the hills to keep them supplied.  Having just raided it, they had a good supply of that hard-earned honey on hand!  They got up and startled that bear out of the adobe finally.  Their honey had taken a big hit from that hungry bear, but if they use it sparingly, it would last awhile.  I never did figure out who was more scared that night, that poor bear or them boys.

Oh Lordy Folks. I'll never forget this one, ever!  ~  That would be the time they decided to try their hands a fixing up some biscuits.  Sam and Joe were both sorely tired of a menu of beans, tortillas, hardtack or Jerky.  Flapjacks made a nice change, but they both missed biscuits.  These boys thought they had it all figured out.  How hard could it be, they had watched their Moms fix them daily at home for years.  The fire in my fireplace was hot, the cast iron Dutch oven was all prepared.  In goes the dough, on goes the lid with its scattered coals - on the fire it goes. 

They'd had their usual long hard day and the fire’s heat lulled them to sleep.  They both woke up coughing hard in a pitch-black adobe.  Smoke was so rolling up so thick and fast, I couldn't pull it up my chimney fast enough.  They fumbled around still half asleep looking for the door in the smoke, finally finding their doorway, they made it outside.  The cool night air helped them to breath and come fully awake.  Until then, they thought the place was on fire around them.  Suddenly, they both realize two major things at once.  Dirt don't burn, but biscuits do!  Finding a long sturdy stick, one of the boys goes back in.  He hooks the bail of the Dutch Oven, bringing it outside the adobe.  There was still black smoke rolling out from under the lid of the oven.  Well Sir, them biscuits was so burnt, they had to soak that Dutch oven for weeks and weeks and the smell never really left that oven. The nasty smell of them biscuits hung around in the air for a long time. And even longer in my fireplace.  Lots of memories with those boys, yes sir, years of them.   

Missing their girls, the boys decided to take a ride to town to visit them.  They hobble the stock again leaving the corral gate open to the lean-to for them.  They left Old Burro and Old Wolf in charge again.  Those two together ruled the stock, keeping them all in line and keeping predators away.  Of course, neither animal was pleased to stay, but they did because Sam asked it of them. They saddled up and rode out.  Joe had been really silent recently, making Sam wonder what his friend was thinking.  He knew Joe would tell him when he was ready.  On their ride into town Joe opened up to Sam.  Joe told Sam he was tired of mining.  He was tired of the long hours of Sun up to Sundown, the back-breaking labor and BEANS!  He was more than ready for a change.  And did he mention he was tired of BEANS!!  Sam understood, because at times, he felt the same way. They rode on in companionable silence. 

The Barber, Harland, knew the boys well now from their courting trips to town.  Sometimes it was Joe and others times it was Sam.  Or they came in together.  They had a monthly tab with him for baths, shaves and haircuts when they were needed.  He also kept their clothes clean, neat and pressed for them.  The boys always paid him promptly each month. He like that trait in them.

The boys had plans, big plans.  They were going to propose to their Ladies tonight.  They went by the restaurant and made arrangements for a lovely romantic supper for the four of them.  Joe went with Sam to pick-up Miss Comfort.  They all three walked over to the Hart place for Joe to pick-up Miss Mary Ellen.  Strolling back to town, chatting as they went made it a shorter walk.  The Ladies were well pleased by the boy’s efforts over supper.  The boys excused themselves for a moment stepping outside. There they cued the Viola player.  He started playing softly as the boys rejoined the girls.  Stepping up to their ladies and taking their hands, they go down on one knee and they each propose to their ladies.  We all know those boys were accepted by those girls.  They called for the Sherry they had reserved earlier and toasted their engagement.  They sat there laughing, talking and making plans.  Their futures were before them.  Miss Mary Ellen was an only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hart who owned the General Store.  Her Father had said many times that he hoped any future Son-in-Law she gave him would take over the store when he and Della were ready to retire.  This completely appealed to Joe and it wasn't mining.  He agreed to talk to Mr. Hart on their next trip into town.  Sam asked Miss Comfort if she wanted to live in town.  She had a ready answer for him and it was a solid resounding "NO"!  She wanted to be away from all her siblings.  She loved them all, but there were way too many to have them underfoot in her house.  Sight unseen, she decided to live at the diggins with Sam.  Without even seeing the place, Comfort knew it wasn’t big enough if it was a bachelor place.   Surprisingly, both Sam and Joe agreed with her.  Walking the girl’s home, they discussed and decided many things between the restaurant and the girls homes that night.  

Having breakfast early the next morning they discussed the adobe enlargement. They knew they need to order wood. So that was the first stop they made.  They also need to order the future wives rings.  There, Mr. Hart was helpful.  He already knew what the girls liked after hearing them dream about it for years before they ever discovered boys.  He guided Sam to a selection of gold bands. Joe, he showed rings with stones.  The boys made their decisions and Mr. Hart took it from there, promising the rings would be here and the right size for their weddings.  Headed back to the Livery they got their horses and tipped Mel Walters, the Liveryman.  Headed back out to the diggins, they went by Ruiz's place to visit and try to arrange freight with him.  He quickly agreed to freight out the order but flat refused payment for it.  Just let him stay the night. Which of course was fine with them.  They shook hands and rode off. 

After the boys rode away, he walked into town and made a few secret arrangements of his own.  He ordered several more brick boxes for making adobe bricks. Then he went to the Blacksmith's and explained to Carl what his mission was. Carl was happy to help.  Ruiz knew how to make adobe building that would last. These were all made as a surprise and to help the building go faster.  Call it a wedding present.  But he knew it was that the boys had been very good friends to him and he was fond of them.

The winds still blew -

The sands kept shifting -

Time kept flowing...

Chapter 8   

Riding up to their adobe, Sam saw the place in a whole different light now.  He suddenly realized just how much work they need to do to make it a home for Miss Comfort and their future family.  No matter how you looked at it, it was still just a Diggins camp.  After tending to the stock and greeting Burro and Wolf, they re-set their old camp up at the Spring.  But they slept in the wagon to stay off the rocky ground and avoid a burro or wolf bed partner.  After their supper the first night back, Joe had something to say to Sam.  While he was in town one day, he had some papers drawn up.  He was flat out giving Sam his 1/2 share in the BT1 , making Sam the sole owner.  Sam at first was extremely up-set about what Joe had done without them talking it over.  Yet, they were still such good friends that they were able to talk it out.  Sam wasn’t pleased, but he knew Joe and he understood his thinking.  But to Sam, they would always be half partners.

The final agreement was that they split all money on hand 50/50 and what ore they had ready to go to the crusher would also be a 50/50 split.  They were still Partners, that would never change, but Joe didn't want to break another rock!  The next morning, they spent the day loading the ore wagon for a trip to the crusher.  That took them about a day and a half.  They again had to cut cards to see who went to the crusher.  They both had ladies there now.  Joe won the cut this time, so they were up again before sun-up and Joe was off to the crusher, using the Spring route.  A round trip usually took about four days give or take the size of the load.  After the crusher, he stopped by the bank to deposit the ore payments into their accounts.  He only made a short stop by Miss Mary Ellen’s on this trip and was soon headed back out.  Sam and Joe were ready now to support their wives, all thanks to the diggins.  Joe couldn't wait to tell Sam the news.  While Joe was making the crusher trip, Sam was cutting and bringing in firewood for the winter.  Using the burros and both horses, he was able to make a couple of big loads for a head start on their winter wood pile.

Joe made it there and back in fairly good time.  Sam was glad to see him and even happier with his news of their ore returns.  They opened a can of Peaches after supper that night to celebrate the ores high returns. 

The next morning after breakfast and stock chores, they grabbed their tools and went off to the home site.  Since they had planned a bit ahead, they had some adobe on hand.  After checking over their supply, they realized they need more straw grass.  So, for the next three or four days they rode out far and wide collecting all the straw grass they could find.  They slung ore bags over the horse on both sides and stuffed the grasses in these bags.  Done collecting for a while, they hitched the wagon and brought in three more wagon loads of adobe.  They hoped they had collected enough.  On the first day as they started mixing brick, they see dust rising up in the air off in the distance.  They kept mixing, watching the dust trail.  It wasn't too much longer before they recognize Ruiz's wagon. He always drove four white mules in his hitch.  It was his way to identify him from a distance.   Waiting for him to finish driving the distance, they finished up what brick they could in their puny five brick molds.  Ruiz's arrival was at a good time.  The boys were just going to break for dinner.  With great flare and a flourish, Ruiz produced Tamales from under the wagon seat.  That put real big smiles on their faces.  His tamales were delicious. Both boys had secretly hoped Ruiz would bring out Tamales when he came out.  They loved his Tamales.  After enjoying the surprise meal and Thanking Ruiz they sat with him and filled him in on their wedding news (this he knew, the whole town knew) and their adobe expansion plan.  He listened to them, then asked to see the tiny adobe.  They all walk over to it.  Ruiz walks around it tisking as he looks. He sees increasing cracks, slanted leaning walls, window and door cuts sagging down and a slightly sagging roof of sorts.  When he reached the front, he looked at the boys and simply said, Miss Comfort will not live in a poor adobe built such as this, no!  I, Ruiz am an Adobe Master.  We build Miss Comfort a home, sí.  Taking the boys over to the wagon, he showed them the new bigger brick boxes he'd brought along with the needed beams and seasoned lumber.  They also saw a lot of metal rods in the wagon but figured Ruiz had need of them for something, not giving them a second thought.  Ruiz had looked at the adobe when he had helped them with the fireplace and chimney, so he knew they were in sad need his help.  He had contacted a few of his friends and had ordered bales and bales of cut, dried grass to be delivered when he knew the boys were seriously courting the girls.  All he had needed was a date to start his plans. The bales should be arriving before night fall.  He explained his process to them.  The bales went inside the walls, the adobe bricks went outside.  He then shared his secret with them.  He hammered in metal rods into the bales as they worked at different levels creating strength in the walls.  He also had a special method to create smooth walls in-side the adobe.  They took down the entire bachelor’s adobe, which wasn't hard the way they built it.  Their fireplace and chimney (me) were now to be the focal point or heart of the new adobe instead of an afterthought addition.  (What the boys didn’t know was that Ruiz and his crew would be re-placing the chimney bricks with lovely rocks he was having delivered with the grass bales.  Brick didn’t belong with adobe.  Not in this desert heat.)  They carried bales, they mixed and made bricks, they sawed and hammered wood and laid sanded wood floors in the whole place. All the doors and windows were