Buckley's Blockchain Beginnings

Like my pappy always told me, 'the world's an ever-changin' place, and there ain't no way to stand against the march of progress.' Now this here story ain't about me, partner. Naw, this here anecdote is about a feller what's become legend around these here parts. His precise origins are a matter of conjecture, but what I do know is that this hombre, this furry ursine prospector, is making his mark in the digital Wild West. Perhaps you've already heard of him, even if by a different name - 'El Oso,' 'Cactus Jack,' 'King Grizzly,' - the list goes on and on. But most of us around here in New Buckland know him by his God-given name. Yep, I'm talkin' about good ol' Buckley the Bear.

Rumor has it that Buck started off life a little rough, workin' on his humble family farm down south for many a year as soon as he was able to wield a shovel. In fact, anywhere Buckley goes, his shovel goes with him...I guess after all that time it was all he really knew and was pretty much his only worldly possession. See, Buckley never really had much of a chance at gainin' an education owin' to the fact that his forebears (no pun intended) were pretty much dirt poor. While the family managed to sustain themselves, their harvests never yielded any kind of surplus, so it was slim pickings even at the best of times.

After a few years, The Great Token rush swept across the length and breadth of the digital Wild West. Folks from all over loaded up their wagons and set off lookin' for ways to make their fortunes and live a better life. Seemed that most folks headed for the hills in the north-east, but Buck figured that there was more than one way to make a mint. Carryin' his trusty shovel, and being gifted his daddy's Lucky Cactus, Buckley said his farewells and set off bearin' (again, no pun intended) north-west toward what would soon become known as New Buckland. Folks saw old Buck moseyin' along and asked him why he was headed in that direction, and each time Buck would silently reply with a shrug and a wave as he continued solemnly toward his destination.

After what seemed like an eternity, Buckley came to a halt and thoughtfully surveyed the land for a while. Save for a few buzzards and a tumbleweed or ten, this place was deader than a three-week old possum carcass in the height of summer. Despite the harsh conditions, Buck knew in his gut that this was the place...he was exactly where he needed to be. Settin' up camp and cookin' up some grits, Buckley knew he had his work cut out for him - he wasn't here to make a quick dollar, and he sure wasn't lookin' to swindle any folks (or be swindled himself for that matter). Nope, Buckley may have been a simple feller, but he had savvy and knew how to use it - he intended to set up the most reputable and well-run minin' operation this side of Texas, and well...there was no stoppin' him.

The very next day, Buckley started diggin'...and diggin'...and diggin'. Before he knew it, the landscape was full of big ol' holes and piles of sand. He'd come up snake eyes every single time. Now at this stage, most folks woulda given up and headed for greener pastures - but not old Buck. Nope, determination and dedication were key in findin' that first piece of treasure, and he knew that well. Even though the first week had been rough, Buckley wasn't about to let a few (ursa) minor setbacks defeat him. There was always the next day, and the day after that, and Buckley wasn't about to give up.

After a long while, Buckley was exhausted and nearin' the end of his tether. His rations were wearin' down, and he was beginnin' ta hallucinate, seein' all kinds of mirages and crazy critters runnin' rampant before his eyes. Buckley fought back the strange sensations and fatigue and moved towards the last untouched hill in his immediate vicinity. Settin' down his cactus and liftin' up his trusty shovel, Buckley dug into the parched earth beneath him, and he was alarmed when his shovel struck somethin' hard as rock. Gettin' down on one knee and gently dustin' off the dirt, Buckley realized that he had done it - he had found his first block! His persistence and determination had paid off!

And that block wasn't the last. No sir, Buck found another soon after that. And then another, and another. Pretty soon folks heard about Buckley's success and began to move into the area, buildin' houses and saloons and even settin' up a railroad. And as you may have guessed, Buckley's success led to the birth of New Buckland, the town and region named in his honor. And this is exactly how the Bearmint Mining Company began as well - now Buckley oversees an extensive operation, and he has a whole menagerie of folks helpin' him to reach consensus and forge new blocks.

While Buckley prefers to keep to himself and don't talk too much, he's dedicated to keepin' New Buckland safe and its inhabitants thrivin' and happy. Oh, and who am I? Well I'm just a member of the Bearmint gang doin' my part to help Buckley reach his goals and keep building. Yep, this ain't the end of Buckley's story Pilgrim - it's just the start!