Cy Ross. By " Mellen Cole." (Gay and Bird.)—" Cy" Ross
is a really admirable portrait of what are a fast-vanishing class, the "old-timers" of the Far West. The marvellous instinct of the old miner—almost Indian in its sensitiveness—his contempt for "tenderfoots," his geniality, good-nature, and simplicity, are true to the life. The tale of how old "Cy," who has prospected for thirty years, and never, while enriching others, bettered himself, at last struck a vein, took a holiday, saw some young lady who tickled his fancy, and married her, is typically Western. "Cy "- he asks everybody if they know Cy Ross, who discovered the "Old Bob" Mine—with his open delight in his discovery, his bribing of the waiter to have the pleasure and comfort of being called "Colonel," is one of those peculiarly American characters that this century alone has produced. The type is becoming extinct ; but " Cy " Ross, with his fine, tender nature, is not an unusual specimen by any means, if he is not as reserved and rough as many of them. This little sketch by "Mellen Cole" pre- serves the characteristic of the class with considerable literary skill, and paints the background of Sierra scenery with just suffi- cient vividness to project the figures well in relief on his canvas. "Mellen Cole" we shall hope to see in print again. The preface seems to hint that Cy Ross was a doubtful venture; but if future work is as good, he need not fear criticism.
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