Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1916 — Page 7

GOLD

By STEWART EDWARD WHITE

SYNOPSIS Talbot Ward’s challenge to Frank Munloe 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 Chagres, Talbot Ward’a knowledge of Spanish and his firm treatment of the native boatmen help wondertelly. 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 Panama. Ward puts it up to each man to get $220 in one day. Munroe makes $25 as a laborer. Johnny gambles and gets $220. Ward astound* the party by telling how. by shrewd business deals in one day In the Golden City, he accumulated several thousand dollars. Ward decides that he will not go with the party to the mines, but will stay* iu Francisco, where he thinks more Cold Is 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 sad the gold is divided into five parts. After working like beavers several days the 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 isad the party to a rich unexplored mlntng 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. Vasquez, left in charge of camp, is found •calped by the red men. Tank, Buck Barry and Don Gaspar are gent to town with ss,ooo 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. Scarface Charlie sends Johnny a challenge to meet him at the main saloon. Johnny, with another great display of nerve, drops Scarface Charlie. Johnny and his express messenger friends arrest two of the Hounds who are tried for robbery. The lawless element controls the trial and the Hounds are freed.

Robberies grow more frequent as the lawless element holds sway. McNally and Buck Barry are murdered after the lawless element gets control of the city. CHAPTER XXIII. The Rule of the Lawless. W MONO the occasional visitors to ZJk camp was a man who called f \ himself Harry Crawford. He was a man of perhaps twen-ty-five years, tall, rather slender, with a clear face and laughing blue eyes. Nothing iu his appearance indicated the desperado, and yet we had long known him as one of the Morton gang. This man now took up his residence In camp, and we soon discovered that he was evidently the killer. The first afternoon he picked some sort of a petty quarrel with Thompson over a purchase, but cooled down instantly when unexpectedly confronted by a half dozen miners who came in at the opportune moment. A few days afterward in the slack time of the afternoon Thompson, while drinking at the har of the Empire and conversing with a friend, was approached by a well known sodden hanger-on of the saloons.

“What are you fellows talking about?” demanded this man impudently. “None of your business,” replied Thompson impatiently, for the man was a public nuisance and besides was deep in Thompson’s debt.

The man broke into foul oaths. “I'll dare you to tight!” he cried in a furious passion. Facing about, Thompson saw Crawford standing attentively among the listeners and Instantly comprehended the situation.

“You have the odds of me, with a pistol,” said Thompson, who notoriously had no skill with that weapon. ’“Why should I tight you?" “Well, then,” cried the man, “put up your fists! That’ll show who is the best man!” He snatched off his belt and laid It on the bar. Thompson did the same. “Come on!” cried the challenger, backing away. Thompson, thoroughly angry, reached over and slapped his antagonist. The latter promptly drew another revoler from beneath his coat, but be fore he could aim it Thompson jumped at his throat and disarmed him. At this moment Crawford interfered, apparently as peacemaker. Thompson was later told secretly by the barkeeper that the scheme was to lure him Into a pistol fight in the street, when Crawford would be ready to shoot him as soon as the first shot was fired. On the strength of this interference Crawford next pretended to friendship and spent much of his time at Thompson’s store. Thompson was in no way deceived. This state of affairs continued for two days. It terminated in the following manner: Crawford, sitting half on the counter and talking with all the great charm of which he

was master, led the subject to weapons. “This revolver of mine,” said he, at the same time drawing the weapon from its holster, “is one of the old navy model. You don’t often see them nowadays. It has a double lock.” He cocked it as though to illustrate his ppint, and the muzzle, as though by accident, swept toward the other man. He looked up from his affected close examination to find that Thompson had also drawn his weapon and that the barrel was pointing uncompromisingly in his direction. For a moment the two stared each other in the eye. Then Crawford sheathed his pistol with an oath. “What do you mean by that?” he cried. “I mean,” said Thompson firmly, “that I do not intend you shall get the advantage of me. You know my opinion of you and your gaug. I shall not be shot by any of you if I can help it.” Crawford withdrew quietly, but later in the day approached a big group of us, one of which was Thompson. “There’s a matter between you and me has got to be settled!” he cried. “Well, I can’t imagine what it is,” replied Thompson. “I’m not aware that I’ve said or done anything to you that needs settlement.” “You needn’t laugh!” replied Crawford, with a string of Insulting oaths. “You’re a coward, and if you’re anything of a man you will step out of doors and have this out.” “I am, as you say, a coward,” replied Thompson quietly, “and I see no reason for going out of doors to fight you or anybody else.” After blustering and swearing for a few moments Crawford withdrew. He made no attempt to fight, nor do I believe his outburst had any other purpose than to establish the purely personal character of the quarrel between Thompson and himself. At any rate, Thompson was next morning found murdered in his bunk, while Crawford had disappeared. I do not know whether Crawford had killed him oi not I think not

About this time formal printed notices of some sort of election were posted on the bulletin board at Morton’s place. At least they were said to have been posted and were pointed out to all comers the day after election. Perhaps they were there all the time, as claimed, but nobody paid much attention to them. At any rate, we one day awoke to the fact that we were a full fledged community, with regularly constituted court officers, duly qualified officials, and a sheriff.

“What do you mean by that?" he cried.

The sheriff was Morton, and the most worthy judges were other members of his gang. This move tickled Danny Randall’s sense of humor immensely. “That’s good headwork,” he said approvingly. “I didn’t think Morton had it in him.” “It's time something was done to run that gang out of town,” fumed Dr. Rankin. “No; it is not time,” denied Danny, “any more than it was time when you and Johnny and the rest of you had your celebrated jury trial.” “I’d like to know what you are driving at!” fretted the worthy doctor. Danny Randall laughed in his gentle little fashion. I will confess that just at that time I was very decidedly wondering what Danny Randall was at. In fact, at moments I was strongly inclined to doubt his affiliations. He seemed to stand in an absolutely neutral position, inclining to neither' side.

Tom Cleveland whs killed in the open street by one of the Empire hang-ers-on. The man was promptly arrested by Morton in his capacity of sheriff and confined in chains. Morton as sheriff selected those who were to serve on the Jury- I had the curiosity to attend the trial, expecting to assist at an uproarious farce. All the proceedings, on the contrary, were conducted with the greatest decorum and with minute attention to legal formalities. The assassin, however, was acquitted. From that time the outrages increased in number and in boldness. No man known to be possessed of any quantity of gold was safe. It was dangerous to walk alone after dark, to hunt alone in the mountains, to live alone. Every man carried his treasure about with him everywhere he went No man dared raise his voice in criticism of the ruling powers, for it was pretty generally understood that such criticism meant death. This is a chapter I hate to write, and therefore I shall get it over with as soon as possible.

One Sunday iu the middle of Oct oner two men trudged into town leading each a pack horse. I was at the time talking to Barnes at his hotel and saw them from a distance hitching their animals outside Morton’s. They stayed there for some time, then tame out,’ unhitched their horses, led them as far as the Empire, hesitated, finally again tied the beasts and disappeared. In this manner they gradually worked along to the Bella Union, where at last I recognized them as McNally and Buck Barry, our comrades of the Porcupine. Of course 1 at once rushed over to see them. I found them surrounded by a crowd to whom they were offering drinks free handed. Both were already pretty drunk, hut they knew me as soon as I entered the door and surged toward me hands out. “Well, well, well!” cried McNally delightedly. “And here's himsoli! And who'd have thought of seeing you here? 1 made sure you were in the valley and out of the country long since. And you’re just in time. Make a name for itV Better call it whisky straight. Drink tons, my hoy! Come, join my friends! We’re all friends here! Come on. and here's to luck, the best luck ever! We’ve got two horse loads of gold out there —nothing but gold—and it all came from our old digging. You ought to have stayed. We had no trouble. Bagsby was an old fool!” All the time he was dragging me along by the arm toward the crowd at the bar. Barry -maintained an air of owlish gravity. “Where's Missouri Jones?” I inuuirfed. but I might as well have asked the stone mountains. McNally chattered on, excited, his blue eyes dancing, bragging over and over about his two horse loads of gold. The crowd took Ills whisky, laughed with him and tried shrewdly to pump him as to the location of his diggings. McNally gave them no satisfaction there, but even when most hilarious retained enough sense to put them off the track.

As will be Imagined. I was most uneasy about the whole proceeding and tried quietly to draw the two men off. “No, sir,” cried McNally, “not any! Jes’ struck town and am goin' to have a time!” in which determination he was cheered by all the bystanders. I did not know where to turn. Johnny was away on one of his trips, and Danny Randall was not to be found. Finally Inspiration served me. “Come down first and see Yank,” I urged. “Poor old Yank is crippled and can’t move.” That melted them at once. They untied their long suffering animals, and we staggered off down the trail. On the way down I tried, but in vain, to arouse them to a sense of danger. “You’ve let everybody in town know you have a lot of dust” I pointed out. McNally merely laughed recklessly. “Good boys!” he cried. “Wouldn’t harm a fly!” And I could veer him to no other point of view. Barry agreed to everything, very solemn and very owlish.

We descended on Yank like a storm. I will say that McNally at any time was irresistible and irrepressible, but especially so in his cups. We laughed ourselves sick that afternoon. The Morenas were enchanted. Under instructions. and amply supplied with dust, Morena went to town and returned with various bottles. Senora Morena cooked a fine supper. In the meantime I, as apparently the only responsible member of the party, unsaddled the animals and brought their burdens i.vto the cabin. Although McNally’s statement as to the loads consisting exclusively of gold was somewhat of an exaggeration, nevertheless the cantinas were very heavy. Not knowing what else to do with them, I thrust them under Yank’s bunk. The evening was lively, I will confess it, and under the Influence of it my caution became hazy. Finally, when I at last made my way back to my own camp, I found myself vastly surprised to discover Yank hobbling along by my side. I don’t know why he came with me, and I do not think he knew either. Probably force of habit. At any rate, we left the other four ft) sleep where they would. I remember we had some difficulty in finding places to lie. (To be continued. 1

AMATURE ILLINOIS PHYSICIST

Russell Moore of this city got into an argument as to whether a Springfield army rifle would shoot a hole through a railroad rail, and to settle the argument he took a Springfield rifle Sunday, secured a section of a railroad steel rail, got behind a rock, took Careful aim and fired. He expected to dodge behind the rock, but Russell didn’t take into consideration the speed at which a bullet travels. The gun went off like a cannon, the bullet hit the rail and then it bounced back in about a hundred pieces. One chunk of the bullet split Russell’s ear, another gashed his cheek and others peppered his countenance until he looked like he had just escaped from the trenches. If there is any person who believes a bullet can fierce a steel rail one look at Russell Moore’s countenance will convince him he is wrong.—Montgomery- County News.

Let The Democrat supply you with typewriter ribbons and carbon papers. We have ribbons for all makes of standard typewriters, and handle *'he very bos* grade of carbon papers, and notice the results you get. “Everybody reads The Democrat,” and thus the satisfactory results received from advertising in its columns.

Simple Tests Telling Quality of Textiles

There are a great many tests that may he used to determine the genuineness and value of materials, but only a few that are practicable for the home. If the buyer is not absolutely sure that the material In question is as represented it is best to ask for a small sample and apply some of the home tests before making the purchase. For instance, to ascertain if a material is all linen and hot mixed wit h cotton, apply a drop of water. The moisture spreads rapidly on linen, but will remain nnabsorbed on cotton for some time. However, this is not always a safe test, as cotton and linen are often heavily sized with dressing which prevents the water from being absorbed. Another tost for cotton and linen is a drop of glycerine. Linen will become transparent, but cotton will not he affected. Crushing in the hands will show the difference between Cotton and linen, as linen wrinkles more than cotton. Sizing may he discovered by rubbing the materials between the hands to see if the dressing will come out. Washing also will remove the dressing and reveal the true nature of the material. Cotton and wool mixtures when moistened wrinkle more than pure wool materials. -

In examining materials it is well to know that cotton fibers are short with fuzzy ends, while linen fibers are long and have even ends. Wool fibers are short, .kinky and stiff. Silk fibers are long, straight and lustrous. The nature of the material may also be ascertained by burning a small sample. Cotton burns quickly with flame. Linen burns in the same way, but does not catch so readily, as it has less oil in the fiber amd less air in the woven cloth. Wool burns slowly, giving off an odor like burnt feathers and leaving a gummy residue. Silk burns more slowly than wool and with less odor and leaves a crisp aslx.

Worth Knowing

China Cement —Make a thick solution of gum arabic by dissolving two tablespoonfuls of it in hot water. Into this stir plaster of paris until the mixture is the consistency of gruel. Apply to the edge of the china with a lino brush. Allow the china to stand three days before using. Sewing Hint.—When stitching pockets on aprons, skirts, etc., you will find that they will not rip off as easily if the stitching is begun about half an inch nom the top, stitch upward, then turn downward. When you come to the qther side stitch downward the same distance as you stitched upward on the first side. Feather Advice.—Never sun feather beds or feather pillows. Air them on a windy day in a cool place. The sun draws the oil, and the feathers will have a rancid smell if they remain in the sun. Mildew Remedy.—An excellent remedy for mildew Is to saturate an article with kerosene. Roll it up and let It stand for twenty-four hours and then wash in very hot soapsuds. Fish Odor.—To remove fish odor from silver knives and forks or from cooking utensils let stand in cold water before washing.

Light as Chaff

It Smelled Like It. The Swedish jitney driver drew up beside the road, juiqped out and, with wrench in hand, crawled under the

a hand on his nose, stood staring at thefauto. “What’s the matter?” inquired the German innocently between mouthfuls of cheese. “Ay don’t know,” said Ole. “Rut Ay tank the engine bane dead.”—Country Gentleman. Marshaling a Parade. An old Irishman, long desirous of official dignity, was finally appointed marshal in a parade. Veterans, bandsmen find school

children were lined along the streets of the town, patiently waiting the signal to start. Suddenly Mike, on a prancing charger, dashed up the street. After inspecting the dignified procession he gave

his horse a quick clip. Then, standing up in his stirrups, he yelled with a voice filled with pride and authority: “Ready, now! Every one of ye kape shtep wid the horse 1” Six For One. Which is the strongest day of the seven? Sunday, because the others are week days. '■ ' '~ 1 « They Cry Fer Mere. ~ What is that which makes everybody sick but those who swallow It? Flattery.

auto. Taking adI vantage of the stop, the only passenger, a German, proceeded to eat a lunch consisting mainly of lim bn rge r cheese. Suddenly the driver emerged from hemen th tlie v ma chine and, with bulging eyes and

SAVING THE CHIPS FOR PAPER

Forest Service Finds Way to Give New Material for Paper Making. As the result of studies which have been at the forest products laboratory on methods of handling wood chips suitable for paper pulp, it is announced that Wisconsin paper companies are now negotiating with the railroads for shipment to their factoriez: of experimental train loads of chips of western woods adapted to paper making. Previous investigations by the forest service have demonstrated that r-ood grades of paper ca t be made from a number of western woods. The experts now estimate that some of these woods, when cut into chips and dried and baled, can he delivered to the mills in Wisconsin at a very small advance over the cost of chips made front local timber. 4 If a favorable freight rate can be obtained, they say. the great quantity of pulpwood on the national forests should prove to he a considerable factor in stipplving favorably located paper mills with thet necessary raw material. In Wisconsin alone, it is stated there is an annual market for over 300,000 cords of pulpwood.

TO STOP THEFTS OF MOTORS

Hill of Stile With Each New Car Is Suggested as Remedy for Evil. A St. Cloud—citizen has suggested a novel plan for preventing the theft of motor cars. it is based on the theory that if the market for stolen oars is destroyed, thefts will cease. Under this plan any one who bought a new car would receive a bill of sale from the maker attested by the agent, and this would he duly recorded. It would be made a criminal offense for any one to buy a used ear without obtaining a bill of sale from its previous owner, which would include a certification of the original bill of sale, and would trace ownership back to the maker. Here is an interesting suggestion from which an effective law might be worked out. It would involve the keeping of complete records of alt motor car transactions, the cost of which would be borne by owners. But it is evident that the insurance against theft thus provided would more than repay for the extra expense and trouble.

As things are, almost new cars are frequently sold for absurdly low prices. In such cases, where there is no good reason for the sacrifice, there is strong presumption of theft. Transactions of this sort would he made Impossible if sellers were required to establish, and buyers to demand, clear title.—Minneapolis Journal.

THE GREAT CASCADE TUNNEL

The longest railroad tunnel In the world has been designed in detail by General Henry M. Chittenden of Seattle. As described in the Engineering News, it will be thirty miles long, and will pass under the Cascade range at an elevation of 1,200 feet. Railway traffic between the Puget sound district and the interior now has to be lifted to an elevation of from 2,r,00 to 3,000 feet in crossing the range. The plans call for the use of the tunnel by the railways terminating on Puget sound,

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Buy a “Buick" A REAL AUTOMOBILE AT A REASONABLE PRICE. FOURS $065. LIGHT SIT SIO2O F. O. B. Detroit. Completely Equipped with SelfStarter, Electric Lights, OneMan Top, Etc. I have taken the agency for Jasper county for this popplar and time-tested maA of car and solicit an opportunity to demonstrate before you purchase any other make. Have a Light Six on exhibition at the Main (Shafer) Garage. Call in and see It. Andrew Ropp OFFICE AT CENTRAL GARAGE

and thus tho project is really of importance to tho whole region, rather than to one railway in particular. Tho technical problem, General Chittenden says, is by no means beyond 'the skill of American engineers. In length alone would difficulties be encountered, for new problems would have to he solved, and there would lie no precedent in the history of tunneling to follow In this respect. The tunnel would bo almost three times as long as 'the longest tunnel yet built, other long tunnels being as follows: Mont Cenis, 8 miles; St, Gothard, 9.3 miles; Arlberg, 6.5 miles; Simplon, 12.3 miles, and Loetschberg, 9 miles. As designed, tho Cascade tunnel would be as long as the aggregate length of tho three longest of the world’s most famous tunnels. Its cost would be approximately $50,000,000. The Engineering News says that tho building of such tunnels is Inevitable. Railroad managers have held back because they believed that, tho traffic was not heavy enough to justify the expense, and because the application of electricity to steam railways was until recently in the experimental stage. Until even as late as two years ago It was thought that the electric locomotive would be either too expensive or unreliable. Now it is an established institution. And the traffic to and from the Puget sound district has also Increased rapidly. It Is said that if this tunnel is a success, it will be duplicated- by other railroads at several points in the Rocky mountains.

Printed Stationery. Every farmer who owns his farm ought to have printed stationery with his name and the name of his postoffice properly given. The prln» ed heading might also give the names of whatever crops he special' izes in or his specialties in stock. Neatly printed stationery gives you personality and a standing with any person or firm to whom you write and insures the proper reading oi your name and address. The Democrat will print you up a bunch of such stationery in any quantity desired and for about the same price you pay for blank paper elsewhere. ts