Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold Read Online Free PDF Page A

the front and cowboy chaps somewhere in those mountains, kneeling at the bed of a stream, picking gold out of a metal pan and maybe even shouting “Eureka!” But she was certain Henry and Prudence would never take her gold mining.
    The women drove on, turning off Main and toward home. Harriet could not help but still be intrigued by the idea of gold mining. She looked into her souvenir bag at the trinkets she purchased at the Empire Gold Mine, a huge and difficult operation she was certain in comparison to one of these placer mines Florence talked about. Harriet had purchased two sets of salt and pepper shakers, each with the words Empire Gold Mine stampedon them, three pencils for Henry, and a paperweight for Prudence. She had briefly entertained the idea of buying a baby bib, but, of course, so far there was no news from Henry and Prudence on the grandbaby front.
    “Fat lot of good these will do,” she said, holding the shakers.
    “What do you mean?” Florence asked. “They’ll hold salt and pepper. I’m sure they’re usable.”
    “Oh, no, I’m sorry. They’re perfectly good shakers. I was just thinking out loud. Are there still active gold mines around here?” She said that last part to avoid talking about her collection currently in exile in the garage.
    “Oh sure,” Florence said. “Some of them are serious endeavors, and other places are more for entertainment, and I guess there’s a handful or so of people who still think they can strike it rich.”
    “Really? You mean anyone can hunt for gold?”
    Florence turned onto their street, Butterfly Lane. “Well, sort of. There are places where you can try your hand at panning for gold for a fee, and I think you can still get a lease on a mine—if you have the money, the time, and the equipment. But no, mostly the professional mining companies take care of our gold supplies.”
    Harriet twisted her gold wedding band around her finger and wondered if maybe, just maybe, the gold had come from Grass Valley. “Now wouldn’t that be a hoot—talk about destiny.”
    “Excuse me?” Florence said. She pulled the car into Harriet’s driveway.
    “Oh, just me thinking out loud again. I was wondering if the gold in my ring could have come from here.”
    Florence shrugged. “I guess anything is possible.”
    Harriet pushed open the car door. “Well, Florence, thank you for a wonderful day.”
    “Thank you for coming, and stop by anytime.”
    “Or you can mosey up here anytime. I’m not a pie baker, but I’m sure I can open a box of something or other. Henry always hasthose Little Debbies. Can’t eat them myself.” Harriet smiled into Florence’s eyes. They were nice, crystal-blue eyes.
    “Thanks,” Florence said.
    Harriet walked into the house feeling like she had made her first California friend.
    “Henry,” she called as Humphrey trotted up to her, wagging his tail and dancing a jig. Harriet patted his head. “Did you miss me, pooch?”
    Humphrey said, “Woof.”
    “Hi, Mom,” Henry said. “Did you have a nice time?”
    “I had a very nice time, and you were absolutely right. Florence is very sweet, and I learned a lot about gold. Did you know you can still mine for gold around here? And that not all the gold is buried way far under the mountains? It’s just lying around in streams and riverbeds.”
    She looked at Humphrey and imagined him wearing a small mining helmet and two saddlebags bulging with gold. It made his belly sag even more. “Nah, you would not make a good gold mule.” Humphrey looked at her with relief in his eyes and trotted away.
    “I’m glad you had a good time,” Henry said.
    “My feet are tired, but I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the gold mine and walking around the grounds. I bought Prudence a paperweight. It looks like a giant gold nugget.”
    “Oh, that’s thoughtful, Mom. I’m sure Pru will be delighted.”
    “I loved the grounds. The mansion and the fountains, and there’s even a reflecting pool. I