Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1916 — Page 7

GOLD

By STEWART EDWARD WHITE

SYNOPSIS Talbot Ward’s challenge to Frank Munroe to a personal encounter to determine Whether Munroe is fit to make a trip to California In search of gold is accepted. Munroe gets .a hammerlock on Ward and wins the bout. ~ Arriving at Chagrea, Talbot Ward's knowledge of Spanish and his firm treatment of the native boatmen help wonderfolly. The party enters a tropical forest They reach Gatun, and, after passing through several villages where Ward always diplomatically handles the natives, they arrive in Panairfh. Ward puts it up to each man to get <220 in one day. Munroe makes $25 as a laborer. Johnny gambles and gets 1220. Ward astounds the party by telling how, by shrewd business deals intone day tn the Golden City, he accumulated several thousand dollara. Ward decides that he will not go with the party to the mines, but will stay in flan Francisco, where he thinks more gold io to be found. The party dig their first gold. They are not much encouraged when told that the value of their first pan is 12 cents. Don Gaspar, a Spaniard, and his manservant Vasquez join forces with the trio and the gold is divided into five parts. After working like beavers several days 4he miners decide to take a day off and attend a miners’ meeting in town. For sls a week in gold and a drink of whisky twice a day Bagsby promises to lead the party to a rich_ unexplored mining country. A band of Indians come into the camp to trade. They are thankful for blankets. Later the Indians attempt an ambuscade, but are routed by rifle shots. McNally is found with group of traders. Vasques, left in charge of camp, is found scalped by the red men. Tank, Buck Barry and Don Gaspar are sent to town with $35,000 in gold. Barry and Don Gaspar return to camp declaring they have been robbed. Johnny gets into an altercation with Ccarface Charlie. Johnny’s splendid nerve attracts Danny Randall, who is seeking honest men in the camp. flcarface Charlie sends Johnny a challenge to meet him at the main saloon. Johnny, with another great display of nerve, drops Scarface Charlie.

CHAPTER XXI. The Fight. WE ate a very silent supper, washed our dishes methodically and walked up to town. The Bella Union was the largest of the three gambling bouses, a log and canvas structure some forty feet long by perhaps twenty wide. A bar extended across one -end, and the gaming tables were arranged down the middle. A dozen oil lamps with reflectors furnished illumination. AH five tables were doing a brisk business. When we paused at the •door for a preliminary survey the bar ■was lined with drinkers, and groups of twos and threes were slowly sauntering here and there or conversing at the tops of their voices with many guffaws. The air was thick with tobacco smoke. Johnny stepped just inside the door, moved sideways and so stood with his back to the wall. His keen eyes went from group to group slowly, resting for a moment in turn on each of the five Impassive gamblers and their lookouts, on the two barkeepers and then one by one oh the men with whom the place was crowded. Following his, my glance recognized at a corner of the bar Danny Randall with five rough looking minors. He caught my eye and nodded. No one else appeared to notice us, though I imagined the noise of the place sank and rose again at the first moment of our entrance.

“Jim,” said Johnny to me quietly, “there’s Danny Randall at the other end of the room. Go join him. I want you to leave me to play my own game.” I started to object “Please do as I say,” insisted Johnny. “I can take care of myself unless there’s a general row. In that case all my friends are better together.” Without further protest I left him and edged my way to the group at the end of the bar. Randall nodded to me as I came up and motioned to the barkeeper to set me out a glass, but said nothing. Ours was the only lot away from the gaming tables not talking. We sipped our drink and watched Johnny. After surveying coolly the room Johnny advanced to the farther of the gaming tables and began to play. His back was toward the entrance. The game was roulette, and Johnny tossed down his bets methodically, studying with apparent absorption each shift of the wheel. To all appearance he was Intent on the game and nothing else, and he talked and laughed with his neighbors and the dealer as though his •plrit were quite carefree. For ten minutes we watched. Then a huge figure appeared in the blackness of the doorway, slipped through and Instantly to one side, so that his back was to the wall. Scarface Charley had arrived. He surveyed the place as we had done, almost instantly caught sight of Johnny and Immediately began to make Ms way across the room through the crowds of loungers. Johnny was laying a bet, bending oyer the table,

joking with the impassive dealer, his beck turned to the door, totally oblivious of his enemy’s approach. I started forward, Instantly realized the hopelessness of either getting quickly through that crowd or of making myself heard and leaned back, clutching the rail with both hands. Johnny was hesitating, his hand hovering uncertainly above the marked squares of the layout, in doubt exactly where to bet. Scarface Charley shouldered his way through the loungers and reached the clear space Immediately behind his unconscious victim. He stopped for an instant, squared his shoulders and took one step forward. Johnny dropped his chips on the felt layout, con*

Almost With the Motion It Barked, and the Big Man Whirled to the Floor. templated his choice an instant—and suddenly whirled on his heel in a lightning about face. Although momentarily startled by this unexpected evidence that Johnny was not so far off guard as he had seemed, the desperado’s hand dropped swiftly to the butt of his pistol. At the same instant Johnny’s arm snapped forward in the familiar motion of drawing from the sleeve. The motion started clean and smooth, but half | through caught, dragged, halted. I gasped aloud, but had time for no more, than thaV. Scarface Charley’s I revolver was already on the leap. Then ' at last Johnny’s derringer appeared, apparently as the result of a desperate i effort. Almost with the motion it | barked, and the big man whirled to the floor, his pistol, already at half raise, clattering away. The whole episode from the beginning occupied the I space of two eye winks. Probably no ' one but myself and Danny Randall could have caught the slight hitch in Johnny’s draw, and, indeed, I doubt if anybody saw whence he had snatched the derringer. A complete silence fell. It could have lasted only an instant, but Johnny seized that instant. “Has this man any friends here?” he asked clearly. His head was back, and his snapping' black eyes seemed to see everywhere at once. No one answered or stirred. Johnny held them for perhaps ten seconds, . then deliberately turned back to the table.

“That’s my bet on the even,” said he. “Let her roll!” The gambler lifted his face, white in the brilliant Illumination directly over his head, and I thought to catch a flicker of something like admiration in his passionless eyes. Then with his left hand he spun the wheel. The soft, dull whir and tiny clicking of the ball as It rebounded from the metal grooves struck across the tense stillness. As though this was the releasing signal, a roar of activity burst forth. Men all talked at once. The other tables and the bar were deserted, and everybody crowded down toward the lower end of the room. Danny Randall and his friends rushed determinedly to the center of disturbance. Some men were carrying out Scarface Charley. Others were talking excitedly. A little clear space surrounded the roulette table, at which, as may be imagined, Johnny was now he only player. Quite methodically .he laid three more bets. “I think that’s enough for now,” he told the dealer pleasantly and turned away.

“Hullo, Randall! Hullo, Frank!” he greeted us. “I’ve just won three bets straight Let’s have a drink. Bring your friends,” he told Randall. We turned toward the bar, and way was Instantly made for .us. Johnny poured himself a big drink of whisky. A number of curious men, mere boys most of them, had crowded close after us and were standing staring at Johnny with a curiosity they made slight attempt to conceal. Johnny suddenly turned to them, holding high his whisky in a hand as steady as a rock. “Here’s to crime, boys!” he said and drank It down at a gulp. Then he stood staring them uncompromisingly in the face until they had slunk away. He called for and drank another whisky, then abruptly moved toward the door. "I think I’ll go turn in,” said he. At the door he stopped. “Good night,” he said to Randall and Ms friends, who had followed us. “No, I am obliged to you,” he replied to a suggestion, “but I need no escort,” and he said it so firmly that all but Randall went back. *Tm going to your camp with you, whether you need an escort or not,” said the latter. Without a .word Johnny walked

away down the street very straight. We hurried to catch up with him, and just as we did so he collapsed to the ground and was suddenly and violently sick. As I helped him to his feet I could feel that his arm was trembling violently. "Lord, fellows' I’m ashamed," he gasped a little hysterically. “I didn’t know I had so little nerve!" “Nerve!” suddenly roared Danny Randall; “confound your confounded Impudence! If I ever hear you say another word like that I’ll put a head on you, if it’s the last act of my life! You’re the gamest little chicken in this roost, and I’ll make you beg like a hound if you say you aren’t!” Johnny laughed a little uncertainty over this contradiction. “Did I kill him?” he asked. “No, worse luck; just bored him through the collarbone. That heavy little derringer ball knocked him out” “I’m glad of that,” said Johnny. “Which I am not,” stated Danny Randall with emphasis. “You ought to have killed him.” “Thanks to you I wasn’t killed myself. I couldn’t have hoped to get the draw on him with my holster gun. He is as quick as a snake.” “I thought you were going to bungle it” said Randall. “What was the matter?” “Front sight caught at the edge of my sleeve. I had to tear it loose by main strength. I’m going to file it off. What’s the use of a front sight at close range?” I heaved a deep sigh. “Well, I don’t want ever to be so scared again,” I confessed. “Will you tell me, by all that’s holy, why you turned your -back on the door?” “Well,” said . Johnny seriously, “I wanted to get him close to me. If I had shown him that I’d seen him when he first came in the door he’d have opened fire at once. And I’m a rotten shot But I figured that if he thought. I didn’t see him he’d come across the room to me.”

“But he nearly got you by surprise.” “Oh, no," said Johnny; “I saw him all the time. I got his reflection from the glass over that picture of the beautiful lady sitting on the whisky barrel. That’s why I picked out that table.” “My son,” cried Danny Randall delightedly, “you’re a true sport. You’ve got a head, you have!” “Well,” said Johnny, “I figured I’d have to do something; I’m such a rotten shot” We slept late the following morning and awoke tired, as though we had been on a long journey. “Now,” said Johnny when our after breakfast pipes had been lit, “we’ve got to get together. There’s one Important question before the house—who and what is Danny Randall?” “I agree with you there," said I heartily. We separated until noon. Johnny returned promptly at 12. “As to Danny Randall," he began at once, “origin lost In mists of obscurity. First known in this country as a guide to a party of overland Immigrants before the gold discovery. One of the original Bear Flag revolutionists. Member of Fremont’s raiders in the south. . Showed up again at Sonoma and headed a dozen forays after the horse thieving Indians and half breeds in the San Joaquin. Seems now to follow the mines. Guaranteed the best ‘shot with rifle or pistol in the state. Guaranteed the best courage and the quietest manners in the state. Very eminenUand square in his profession. That’s his entire history.” “What is his profession?” I asked. “He runs the Bella Union.” “A gambler?” I cried, astonished. “Just so, a square gambler.” I digested this in silence for a moment.

“Did you discover anything for yourself?” I asked at last “Best job ever invented,” said Johnny triumphantly, “at three ounces a day, and I can’t beat that at your beastly diggings.” “Yes?” I urged. "I Invented it myself, too,” went on Johnny proudly. "You remember what Randall or the doctor said about the robberies and the bodies of the drowned men floating? Well, every man carries his dust around in a belt because he dare not do anything else with it Ido myself, and so do you, and you’ll agree that it weighs like the mischief. So I went to Randall and I suggested that we start an express service to get the stuff out to bank with some good firm in San Francisco. He fell in with the idea in a minute. My first notion was that we take it right through to San Francisco ourselves, but he says he can make satisfactory arrangements to send it in from Sacramento. That’s about sixty miles, and we’ll call it a day’s hard ride through this country, with a change horses. So now I’m what you might call an express messenger—at three good ounces a day.” “But you’ll be killed and robbed!” I cried. Johnny’s eyes were dancing. “Think of the fun!” said he. “You’re a rotten shot,” I reminded him. “I’m to practice under Danny Randall from now until the first trip.” “When is that?” “Do you think we’ll advertise the date? Of course I’d tell you, Jim, but honestly I don’t know yet” (To be continued.)

MOTHER GRAY’S SWEET POWDERS FOR CHILDREN for Feverishness, Bad Stomach, Teething Disorders, move and regulate the Bowels and are a pleasant remedy for Worms. Used by Mothers for 29 years. They never fail. At all druggists, 25c. Sample FREE. Address, Mother Gray Co., Leßoy, N. Y.—Advt

In the Arena of Sports

Captain Harry Dadmun of Harvard. Among the forwards on the big university teams Captain Harry Dadmun. right guard and captain of Harvard’s formidable eleven, stands out There are few line men his superior. Dad-

Photo by American Press Association.

HABBY DADMUN. mun began bis football career at Tufts, where he was considered about the best man on the team. Ills work was polished up last year by Percy Haughton, and now he is one of the most dependable men on the team. Miske Looks Like a Comer. Billy Miske of St. Paul, who recently outpointed Battling Levinsky of Philadelphia in a ten round bout in New York, is a rangy young chap, strong, game and" a good, clever, aggressive boxer. His showing against the veteran Levinsky was the more remarkable for the ‘fact that he was outweighed more than ten younds. He scaled 170% pounds, Levinsky 181. In height Miske was the taller, and he also had a corresponding advantage in reach. His fight showed that he is worthy of a rating with all the light heavyweights. He is a factor in the division that must be reckoned with.

Athletes Go to War. Among the troops that left Halifax recently was the 'One Hundred and Eightieth Canadian Sportsmen’s battalion, and in its ranks were such fine fellows as A. E. Wood, the fifteen mile record holder; Tom Longboat, the famous Indian runner; Lou Marsh, another famous dlstancer; Tom Flanagan, who first won fame as Longboat’s manager, and many other well known sportsmen. This battalion was recruited entirely from young men who have followed track athletics, hockey and football, and it is considered the finest body of troops that the Dominion has sent to the war zone.

Care of Footwear

With a little thought and care of shoes the family shoe bill may be reduced at least one-third. The present day liquid polish used on shoes is apt to crack the leather and ruin it. Most liquid dressings have a certain amount of acid, and this destroys the oils in the leather. If one must use liquid dressings, once in two weeks wash olf every bit of dressing from the shoes and apply a liberal coating of castor oil and set the shoes in an airy place for two days. The elasticity of the leather will be renewed and the shoes become soft and pliable. Wipe shoes carefully before applying the next coat of liquid dressing.

Cleaning Silver.

To clean your silver put it In an aluminum kettle full of hot water to which has been added a tablespoonful or two each of salt and soda. This I will clean the silver in a twinkling, J with no rubbing or mess. Be sure the ] receptacle is aluminum or the charm is gone.

THANKSGIVING.

We thank thee, Lord, for one more year With all its months have brought; Both boon and bane, both peace and pain, Thy sovereign hand hath wrought We thank thee for each pleasant PathAchievement’s sweet success; As well, our God, for dark ways trod— Disaster’s bitter stress. Abundant gain hath far surpassed Such loss as life contained; When such seemed not our favored lot Thy promised grace remained. And so for all we thank thee. Lord, While faith doth banish doubt; Since this we know, both weal and woe Work thy blest purpose out X —P. B. Strong.

Good Things For Thanksgiving Dinner

Roast Turkey. To truss the fowl draw the thighs and wings close against the body and fasten securely with skewers or tie with string. Rub the entire "surface with salt brush with soft butter and dredge with flour. Place in a hot oven and when well browned reduce the heat Baste with the fat in pan and two cupfuls of boiling water, continue basting every twenty minutes until meat is done, which will require about three hours for an eight or ten pound turkey. If roasted in a covered roaster it is not necessary to baste very often, as the steam keeps the roast moist, but it should have the fat and the broth dipped over it now and then. Turn the turkey occasionally, so that it may brown evenly. Turkey Stuffing. Four* cupfuls of stale breadcrumbs, a quarter cupful of melted butter, salt and pepper. Add sage or fine herbs if liked. Moisten very slightly with warm water or stock. This amount is for an eight pound turkey. Do not crowd either crop or body or the stuffing will be heavy. The giblets, stewed and chopped fine, may be added to the gravy or they may be previously prepared and added to the stuffing.

Mashed Turnips. Pare and quarter turnips and boil steadily in unsalted water until tender, drain, mash and season with butter, pepper and a little salt

Thanksgiving Apple Cake. Scald a cupful of milk and one-third cupful of butter, one-thtrd cupful of sugar and one-third teaspoonful of salt. When lukewarm add a yeast cake, two eggs and three and a half cupfuls of bread flour. Cover, let rise, beat well and let rise again. Turn into buttered dripping pan, let rise, brush over with melted butter, cover with sections of apples, brush over with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon,«ugar and currants. Bake in a moderate oven and cover with whipped cream. < Cranberry Frappe. Four cupfuls of cranberries boiled in three cupfuls of water strained through flannel. Take three cupfuls of sugar ijnd three cupfuls of cranberry juice and the juice of one-half lemon and mix all together and freeze. Delicious to serve with roast fowl. Thanksgiving Nut Bread. Five cupfuls of flour, five teaspoonfuls of baking powder, a cupful of nuts chopped fine, a cupful of sugar, a beaten egg, two cupfuls of milk, one-half teaspoonful saifT' This makes two loaves.

Chicken Pie. Dress, clean and cut up two fowls or chickens, says the Country Gentleman. Put in a stewpan with half an onion, a sprig of parsley and a bit of bay leaf; cover with boiling water and cook slowly until tender. When the chicken is half cooked add half a tablespoonful of salt and one-eighth of a teaspoonful of pepper. Remove chicken, strain stock, skim off fat, then cook until reduced to four cupfuls, thicken with one-third of a cupful of flour diluted with enough cold water to pour easily. Place a small cup in the center of a baking dish, arrange round it pieces of chicken, removing some of the larger bones; pour gravy and cool. Cover with piecrust in which several incisions have been made for the escape of steam. Wet the edge of the crust and put round a rim, having the rim come close to the edge. Bake in a moderate oven until the crust is well raised and browned. If puff paste is used it is best to bake the top separately.

Turkey Was Well Done

What HOUSEWIVES Wish to Know

Smart Fur Trimmed Suit This fur trimmed suit of wool veloun is featured in taupe, green, brown, burgundy or plum color. Model designed by Franklin Simon & Co., New York. The coat is cut in straight lines,

the fullness falling from sides to back. The collar, cuffs and border of the coat are banded with seal fur. The skirt la of the latest model, with shirred back and detachable belt

Treatment of Common Ailments of the Ear

Earache in children 1b best treated by using hot water. This not only gives the most prompt relief from pain, but Is also one of the best remedies employed to stop Inflammation and prevent a running ear. Fill the ear with water ns hot as It can be borne, using a common medicine dropper. Next remove a dropperful of water and replace It with a dropperful of hot water, pressing the bulb between the thumb and linger three or four times to mix thoroughly. Keep this up for twenty minutes and repeat every two to four hours as needed to control the pain. In case the pain continues after two or three treatments a physician should be consulted. Boils in the ear are treated in the same manner. Eczema of the external portion of the ear Is usually relieved by the application of zinc oxide ointment, keeping the surface covered continuously. This can be procured under this name from any druggist. Children with sensitive ears should protect them by wearing a little plug of cotton in the ear when out of doors in cold or windy weather, especially if driving in an open vehicle. Frozen or frosted ears should first be thawed out by very cold water or snow and then covered by olive oil or vaseline. In case an insect gets into the ear drop a few drops of sweet, oil (olive oil) in the canal and then wash out gently with warm water, using a medicine dropper. The insect will usually float out. A foreign body should be treated in the same way, but if it does not come out easily a physician should be seen at once. Under no circumstances should the removal be attempted by means of forceps or other instruments, as the foreign body is very apt to be pushed down so far in the canal that it will be very difficult to remove.

Household Hints

To prevent pie crust puffing up in the middle when baked, prick in several places with a fork before putting in the oven. A basin of cold water placed in an oven will soon lower the temperature. To clean enameled bathtubs rub with salt moistened with lemon juice. Then wash with hot water and soapsuds. Sprinkle carpets before sweeping with salt It keeps the dust down effectively, and the carpets will look fresher. Salt also prevents moths attacking carpets. Oil stains can be removed from linen and cotton goods by rubbing the material on both sides with talcum powder. The powder should be left on for a few hours and then brushed off. ‘ To clean wicker chairs wash with salt and water, then rub as dry as possible and place in the open air to finish drying. Holes in kid gloves can be mended by first buttonholing around the hole and then filling in with buttonhole stitch.