Hammond Times, Volume 2, Number 22, Hammond, Lake County, 13 July 1907 — Page 8

8

THE LAKE COUNTY TIMES. Saturday, Julv 13, 1907.

CLEARANCE SALE We mention Just a few of the many hundreds of bargains offered in this

great clearance

$25.00 Taffeta Dresses $14.75 20.00 French Lingerie Princess Dresses 10.50 7.50 Panama Skirts, all colors 4.98 18.00 Voile Skirts 9.98 25.00 Taffeta Skirts 12.50 5.00 Misses Coats 2.50 25.00 Tailor Made Suits 12.50 3.00 Wash Suits 1.50 2.25 Heatherbloom Petticoats 1.25 5.00 Silk Waists 2.75

12.00 Cravenettes 2.00 Wash Skirts

But kindly remember that the first buyers will get the BEST SELECTIONS Dobson's Emporium 184 South Hohman Street. HAMMOND

Graduation Boys' unci Girl' and ClitilriM L.o elects

4

The. Boys unci Girls will appreciate these most If they are the Bastar & McGarry Quality 17S South Hohman Street, HAMMOND

HOT1CE TO

S

uilders and Home Buyers

To close out our remaining frontage on two streets, we are offering 14 residence and business lots at prices and on terms which will

r.i-

Money loaned to build at 6 per cent. Homes on Easy Payments. Guarantee Policies furnished with every sale. E. A. KINKADE, builder 110 First National Bank BIdg. HAMMOND.

HfilTSHilWi "W

LAWN-MOWERS, HOSE, WIRE SCREENINGS AND FENCING

Garden Tools

furnishing Goods

OUR WAGON WILL DELIVER THEM AT YOUR DOOR TELEPHONE 2251 AND LEAVE YOUR ORDER WITH F. H. MUELLER

216 Sibley Street

WOLF THE TAILOR Can Fit You and Fit You Right. i invite the inspection of all interested in good goods, and a stylish fit. Easter Suits and Fashionable Checks $16.00 and up Can You Beat It?

Cor. Hohman and Sibley Opposite First Nat'l Bank.

5.00

.98 Specials GHtir-ms, Bracelets Brooches and Stick: Pins INVESTORS, never again be given in our subdivision 700 feet from the Hammond Court House. All improvements going in now, including the best sewer system in the Calumet district. Only 14 buyers can profit by this closing out sale. and House HAMMOND, IND. Sts. HAMMOND, OPEN EVENINGS.

-'-'v .... - - m-,---- 1.r.1n-. igrurtu -- " : iV.W ' -..'. 7J5JWrT--T.-f 'i JW'WI .J' V, Jr -.! -V .i Jul W'liu. 3

CHAPTER I. Hampton, of Placer. j It was not an uncommon tragedy of j the west. If slightest chronicle of it , survive, it must be discovered among the musty and nearly forgotten records of the Eighteenth regiment of infantry. Yet the tale is worth telling now, when such days are past and gone. There were 16 of them when, like so many hunted tabbits, they were first securely trapped among the frowning . rocks, and forced relentlessly backward from off the narrow trail until the precipitous canyon walls finally halted their disorganized flight, and from sheer necessity compelled a rally in hopeless battle. Sixteen, ten infantrymen from old Fort Bethune, under command of Syd. Wyman, a grayheaded sergeant of 30 years' continuous service in the regulars, two cowpunchers from the "XL" ranch, a stranger who had joined them uninvited at the ford over the Bear Water, together with old Gillis, the posttrader, and his silent chit of a girl. Sixteen but that was three days before, and in the meanwhile not a few of those speeding Sioux bullets had found softer billet than the limestone rocks. Six of the soldiers, four already dead, two dying, lay outBtretched in ghastly silence where they fell. Then the taciturn Gillis gave sudden utterance to a sobbing cry, and a burst of red spurted across his white beard as he reeled backward, knocking the girl prostrate when he fell. Eight remained, one helpless, one a mere lass of 15. It was the morning of the third day. The beginning of the affair had burst upon them so suddenly that no two in that stricken company would have told the same tale. None among them had anticipated trouble. In all the fancied security of un questioned peace these chance travelers had slowly toiled along the steep trail leading toward the foothills. Gillis and the girl, as well as the two cattleherders, were on horseback; the remainder soberly trudged forward on foot, with guns slung to their shoulders. Wyman was somewhat in advance, walking beside the stranger, the latter a man of uncertain age, smoothly shaven, quietly dressed in garments bespeaking an eastern tailor, a bit grizzled of hair along the temples, and possessing a pair of cool, gray eyes. lie had introduced himself by the name of Hampton, but had volunteered no further Information, nor was it customary in that country to question impertinently. Hampton, through the medium of easy conversation, early discovered in the sergeant an intelligent mind, possessing some knowledge of literature. They had been discussing books with rare enthusiasm, and the former had drawn from the concealment of an Inner pocket a diminutive copy of "The Merchant of Venice," from which he was reading aloud a disputed passage, when the faint trail they followed suddenly dipped into the yawning mouth of a black canyon. It was a narrow, gloomy, contracted gorge, a mere gash between those towering hills shadowing its depths on either hand. A swift mountain stream, noisy and clear as crystal, dashed from rock to rock close beside the more northern wall, while the ill-defined pathway, strewn with bowlders and guarded by underbrush, clung to the opposite side, where low scrub trees partially obscured the view. All was silent as death when they entered, yet they had barely advanced a short hundred paces when those apparently bare rocks in front flamed red, the narrow defile echoed to wild screeches and became instantly crowded with weird, leaping figures. It was like a plunge from heaven into hell. Blaine and Endicott sank at the first fire, while Wyman's stricken arm dripped blood. Indeed, under that sudden shock, he fell, and was barely rescued by the prompt action of the man beside him. Dropping the opened book, and firing madly to left and right with a revolver which appeared to spring into his hand as by magic, the latter coolly dragged the fainting soldier across the more exposed space, until the two found partial security among a mass of loosened rocks littering the base of the precipice. The others who survived that first scorching discharge also raced toward this same shelter, impelled thereto by the I unerring instinct of border fighting, and flinging themselves nac Demna protecting bowlders, began responding to the hot fire rained upon them. Scattered and hurried as these first volleys were, they proved sufficient to check the howling demons in the open. It has never been Indian nature to face unprotected the aim of the white men, and those dark figures, which only a moment before thronged the narrow gorge, leaping crazily in the riot of apparent victory, suddenly melted from sight, slinking down into leafy coverts beside the stream or into holes among the rocks, like so many vanishing prairie dogs. Now and then a sinewy brown arm might incautious

ly project across the gleaming surface of a rock, or a mop of coarse, black hair appear above the edge of a gully, either incident resulting in a quick interchange of fire. That was all; yet the experienced frontiersmen knew that eyes as keen as those of any wild animal of the jungle were watching murderously their slightest movement. Wyman, now reclining in agony against the base of the overhanging cliff, directed the movements of his little command calmly and with sober military judgment. Little by little, under protection of the ritles of the three civilians, the uninjured infantrymen crept cautiously about, rolling loosened bowlders forward into position, until they finally succeeded in thus erecting a rude barricade between them and the enemy. The wounded who could be reached were laboriously drawn back within this improvised shelter, and when the black shadows of the night finally shut down, all remaining alive were once more clustered together, the injured lying moaning and ghastly beneath the overhanging shelf of rock, and the girl, who possessed all the patient stoicism of frontier training, resting in silence, her widely opened eyes on those far-off stars peeping above the brink of the chasm, her head pillowed on old Gillis' knee. Twice during the long night volunteers sought vainly to pierce those

Hampton Fired Madly Right and Left. lines of savage watchers. A long, wailing cry of agony from out the thick darkness told the fate of their first messenger, while Casey, of the "XL," crept slowly, painfully back, with an Indian bullet embedded deep In his shoulder. Just before the coming of dawn, Hampton, without uttering a word, calmly turned up the collar of his tightly buttoned coat, so as better to conceal the white collar he wore, gripped his revolver between his teeth, and crept like some wriggling snake among the black rocks and through the dense underbrush in search after water. By some miracle of divine mercy he was permitted to pass unscathed, and came crawling back, a dozen hastily filled canteens dangling across his shoulders. It was like nectar to those parched, feverish throats; but of food barely a mouthful a piece remained in the haversftcks. The second day dragged onward, its hours bringing no change for the better, no relief, no slightest ray of hope. The hot sun scorched them pitilessly, and two of the wounded died delirious. From dawn to dark there came no slackening of the savage watchfulness which held the survivors helpless be hind their coverts, ine merest uplifting of a head, the slightest movement of a hand, was sufficient to demonstrate how sharp were those savage eyes. Another long, black night followed, during which, for an hour or so in turn, the weary defenders slept, tossing uneasily, and disturbed by fearful dreams. Then gray and solemn, amid the lingering shadows of darkness, dawned the third dread day of unequal conflict. All understood that it was destined to be their last on this earth unless help came. For two days Wyman had scarcely stirred from where he lay bolstered against the rock. Sometimes he became delirious from fever, uttering in coherent phrases, or swearing in pitiful weakness. Again he would par tially arouse to his eld sense of sol dlerly duty, and assume intelligent command. Now he twisted painfully about upon his side, and, with clouded eyes, sought to discern what man was lying next him. The face was hidden so that all he could clearly distinguish was the fact that this man was not clothed as a soldier. "Is that you, Hampton?" he questioned, his voice barely audible. The person thus addressed, who was lying flat upon hfs back, gazing silently upward at the rocky front of the cliff, turned cautiously over upon his elbow before venturing reply. "Yes; what is it, sergeant? It looks to be a beauty of a morning way up yonder." There. was a hearty, cheery ring to his clear voice which left the painracked old soldier envious.

"My God!" he growled savagely. Tis likely to be the last any of us will ever see. Wasn't it you I heard whistling just now? One misht im

agine this was to be a wedding, rather than a funeral." j "And why not, Wyman? Didn't you i know they employed music at both i functions nowadays? Besides, it is not : every man who is permitted to assist at his own obsequies the very unique-, ness of such a situation rather appeals ; to my sense of humor." j The sergeant, his teeth clinched j tightly to repress the pain' racking j him, stifled his resentment with an j evident effort, "You may be less j light-hearted when you learn that tho j last of our ammunition is already In j the guns," he remarked, stiffly. j "I suspected as much." And tho ; speaker lifted himself on one elbow to j peer down the line of recumbent fl.g- i ures. "To be perfectly frank with you, sergeant, the stuff has held out j considerably longer than I believed it would, judging from the way those ! 'dough boys' of yours kept popping at every shadow in front of them. It's a marvel to me, the mutton-heads they take into the army. Oh, now, you needn't scowl at me like that, Wyman; I've worn the blue, and seen some service where a fellow needed to be a man to sport the uniform. Besides, 'I'm not indifferent, old chap, and just so long as there remained any work worth attending to in this skirmishing affair, I did it, didn't I? But I tell you, man there is mighty little good trying to buck against Fate, and when Luck once finally lets go of a victim, he's bound to drop straight to the bottom before he stops. That's the sum and substance of all my philosophy, old fellow, consequently I never, kick simply because things happen to go wrong. What's the use? .They'll go wrong just the same. Consequently, upheld by my acquired philosophy, I'm merely holding back one shot for myself, as a sort of grand finale to this fandango, and another for that little girl out yonder." These words were uttered slowly, ; the least touch of a lazy drawl apparent in the low voice, yet there was an earnest simplicity pervading the speech which somehow gave it impressiveness. The man meant exactly what he said, beyond the possibility of a doubt. The old soldier, accustomed to every form of border eccentricity, gazed at him with disapproval. "Either you're the coolest devil I've met during 30'years of soldiering," he commented, doubtfully, "or else the craziest. Who are you, anyhow? I half believe you might be Bob Hampton, of Placer." The other smiled grimly. "You have the name tolerably correct, old fellow; likewise that delightful spot so lately honored by my residence. In brief, you have succeeded in. calling the turn perfectly, so far as your limited information extends. In strict confidence I propose now to impart to you what has hitherto remained a profound secret. Upon special request of a number of influential citizens of Placer, including the city marshal and other officials, - expressed in massmeeting, I have decided upon deserting that sagebrush metropolis to its just fate, and plan to add the influence of my presence to the future de velopment of Glencaid. I learn that the climate there is more salubrious, more conducive to long living, the citl zens of Placer being peculiarly excitable and careless with their fire arms." The sergeant had been listening with open mouth. "The hell you say!" he finally ejaculated. "The undefiled truth, every word of it. No wonder you are shocked. A fine state of affairs, isn't it, when a plain-spoken, pleasant-mannered gen tleman, such as I surely am, a uni versity graduate, by all the gods, the nephew of a United States senator, and acknowledged to be the greatest exponent of scientific poker in this ter ritory, should be obliged to hastily change his chosen place of abode because of the threat of an ignorant and depraved mob. Ever have a rope dan gled in front of your eyes, sergeant, and a gun-barrel biting into your cheek at the same time? Accept my word for it, the experience is trying on the nerves. Ran a perfectly square game, too, and those ducks knew it; but there's no true sporting spirit left in this territory any more. However, spilled milk is never worth sobbing over, and Fate always contrives to play the final hand in any game, and stocks the cards to win." "A breath of good, honest prayer would serve better than anything else," groaned the sergeant, soberly. The gray eyes resting thoughtfully on the old soldier's haggard face became instantly grave and earnest. "Sincerely I wish I might aid you with one," the man admitted, "but I fear, old fellow, any prayer coming from my lips would never ascend very far. However, I might try the comfort of a hymn, and you will remember this one, which, no doubt, you have helped to sing back in God's country." There was a moment's hushed pause, during which a rifle cracked sharply out in the ravine; then the reckless fellow, his head partially supported against the protecting bowlder, lifted up a full, rich barytone in rendition of that hymn of Christian faith "Nearer, my God. to Thee! Nearer to Thee! E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me. Still all my son? shall be. Nearer, my God, to Thee! Nearer to Thee." Glazed and wearied eyes glanced cautiously toward the singer around the edges of protecting rocks; fingers loosened their grasp upon the rifle barrels; smoke-begrimed cheek3 became moist; while lips, a moment before profaned by oaths, grew silent and trembling. Out in front a revengeful brave sent his buiiet swirling just above the singer's head, the aharn

fragments of rock dislodged falling la a shower upon his upturned face; but the fearless rascal gang serenely oa to the end, without a quaver. "Mistake it for a death song likely," he remarked dryly, while the last clear, lingering note, reechoed by the cliff, died reluctantly away ia softened cadence. "Beautiful old song, sergeant, and I trust hearing it again has done you good. Sang it once in a church way back in New England.

But what is the trouble? Did you call ; new mining laws, which. It Is assertme for some special reason?" eJ are beSn? onforwd 'to tbo detri. "Yes," came the almost gruff re- ; r,iCnt of the mine vorkerg ColonA

siiuLise; iui j uih.1i, me lever stealing back upon him, felt half ashamed J of hi3 unshed tears. "That is, pro- I vided you retain sufficient sense to j listen. Old Gillis was shot over an j hour ago, yondr behind that big j bowlder, and his girl sits there still holding his head In her lap. She'll get ! hit also unless somebody pulls her out j of there, and she's doing no good to ; Gillis he's dead." j Hampton's clear-cut, expressive face j became graver, all trace of reckless- j ness gone from it. He lifted his head I cautiously, peering over his rock cover toward where he remembered earlier in the fight Gillis had sought refuge. CHAPTER II. Oid Gillis' Girl. Guided by the unerring instinct of an oKl Indian fighter, Gillis, during that first mad retreat, had discovered temporary shelter behind one of the largest bowlders. It was a trifle In advance of those later rolled into position by the soldiers, but was of a size and shape which should have afforded ample protection for two, and doubtless would have done bo had It not been for the firing from the cliff opposite. Even then it was a deflected bullet, glancing from off the polished surface of the rock, which found lodgment in the sturdy old fighter's brain. The girl had caught him as he fell, had wasted all her treasured store of water in a vain effort to cleanse the blood from his features, and now sat there, pillowing his head upon her knee, although the old man was stone dead with the first touch of the ball. That had occurred fully an hour before, but she continued in tho same posture, a grave, pathetic figure, her face sobered and careworn bej'ond her years, her eyes dry and staring, one brown hand grasping unconsciously the old man's useless rifle. She would scarcely have been esteemed attractive even under much happier circumstances and assisted by dress, yet there was something in tho independent poise of her head, the steady fixedness of her posture, which served to interest Hampton as he now watched her curiously. "Fighting blood," he muttered admiringly to himself. "Might fall to develop Into very much of a society bell, but likely to prove valuable out hero." She was rather a slender slip of a thing, a trifle too tall for her years, perhaps, yet with no lack of development apparent in the slim, rounded figure. Her coarse home-made dress of dark calico fitted her sadly, while her rumpled hair, from which the broad-brimmed hat had fallen, possessed a reddish copper tinge where it was touched by the sun. Mr. Hampton's survey did not increase his desire for more Intimate acquaintance"If I Select Your Bullet Rather Than the Rocks, What Then?" ship, yet he recognized anew her undoubted claim upon him. "Suppose I might just as well drop out that way as any other," he reflected, thoughtfully. "It's all in the game." Lying flat upoa his stomach, both arms extended, he slowly forced hlmeelf beyond his bowlder into th.o open. There was no great distance to be traversed, and a considerable portion of the way was somewhat protected by low bushes, Hampton took few chances of those spying eyes above, never uplifting his head the smallest fraction of an inch, but reaching forward with blindly groping hands, caught hold upon any projecting root or stone which enabled him to drag his body an inch farther. Twice they fired directly down at him from the opposite summit, and once a fleck of sharp rock, chipped by a glancing bullet, embedded itself in his cheek, dyeing the whole side of hi3 face crimson. But not once did he pause or glance aside; nor did the girl look up from the imploring face of her dead. As he crept silently in, sheltering himself next to the body of the dead man, she perceived his presence for the first time, and shrank back as if ia dread. "What are you doing? Why why did you come here?" she questioned, a falter ia her voice; and he noticed that her eyes were dark and large, yielding a marked Impress of beauty to her face. (To be continued.) TIMES want ads pay.

:4

IIDIANA STATE HEWS

Brazil. Ind., July 13. A. meeting of the Bkx-k Coal Operators' assoclatloa was held in this city, but no octioa whs taken on the request of the United Minn Workers of district No, S, as-v-ing the mine owners to join thera In a protest tol Jovernor Hanly against the W. II. Zimmerman, commissioner of t'.io operators" association, stated that no action was taken for the reason that it is the miners' light and not the operators'. "The operators sro law-abiding people," he added, with a smile, "and are not asking for tho repeal of any of the laws." Drill Hit Is Too Small. The miners of district No. S tho Mock coal district of Indiana startel the movement against tins new mining laws, in passing resolutions at a special convention held la this city. July 0, demanding the repeal of the new Mt law limiting the size of drill bits used by miners In preparing their fruits t two and one-half incLe ia diameter, and asking the governor to Call a special session of the general assembly to repeal the laws. District No. 11 Will Help. President KIrkland and Secretary Pegs were appoint ed as a cororalttea to nsk the United Mine Workers of district No. 11 to join with them la protesting against the new mining laws, and the officers attended a pp?clal convention of the members of district No. 11. at Terre Haute, and Induced the convention to appoint a committee to not in conjunction with a committee of Mock coal opera to-s. who will g before Governor llan'y In n few days ami ask for a ppeolal session of the legislature to repeal ta laws. Still Hope Tor the Operators. Officers of the United Mine Workers of district No. 8 said they did not understand the Mock coal per. ntors" position In refusing to assLt them In obtaining the repeal of tho new lilt law, but intimated that th operators would probably change their opinion before long. The miners' offU clals assert that if the new bit law rr duces the earning power of each miner from 10 to 15 per cent. It will reduce the output of the mine to a similar extent, and that the operatvra Fhould be as much Interested in tha repeal of the law as the mine workers. XilLLKD BY A LIVE WIRE Street Kail way President Gr&bs It to Prevent Jliraself from Falling While Making Impairs. Columbus, Ind., July 13. Richard F. Gottschalk was Instantly killed by a live wire in Eleventh Btreet nenr Washington. A trolley pole of tha local street car slipped and broke a guide wire leading from the trolley wriro. Gottschalk borrowed a ladder and started to repair the break. He was trying to fasten the broken end to the pole when the ladder slipped and Gottschalk started to fall. He grabbed for support and clunjf to the guide wire, which was "live. An engineer standing near telephoned to the power house, which fhut down seven minutes later. Gottschalk, however, was dead. He was terribly burned. Gottschalk was president of the Columbus Street Railway and Light company. Governor to Go Into Camp. Indianapolis, July 13. Governor Tlanly has decided to spend practically all of the ten days of the stata encampment of the Indiana National Guard at the camp, beginning Wednesday of next week. This will be the first time in recent years that such a thing has been done. Th governor will have bis own tent, and will rem:n at the grounds, night and day. WOMAN'S LIFE SAVED Not One But Thousands. Kalamazoo. Mich. "Looking' bacTq over nearly thirty years of medical service rendered to Buffering humanity. It is one of the most pleasing reflec-i tior.s of my life that by careful re-, search and study, I have been enabled not only in general practice, but bjr special remedies, to be instrumental ia saving lite, promoting: health, and bringing happiness to thousands and and thousands of suffering mortals.' - Rev. K. Pcngelly. II. D. Inquiry at Kalamazoo, Mich., dls closes the fact that in mentioning spec ial remedies above. Dr. Pengelly referred to his experience of more than twenty years of actual practice in th treatment of the diseases of women, during which time he invariably pre scribed Zoa-Phora, the well-known "Woman's Friend" and regulator, and which has found ready sale among' th reliable druggists of the land. If yo are sick or. ailing, you will undoubtedly desire to test the merits of this ci-i uable woman's medicine Just asli ;s"a druggist for Zoa-Phora. No other explanation will be needed. You will get the prescription used so successfully by Dr. Pengelly, already prepared an4 compounded in Just the right proportions, and put up In sealed, sterilized, one dollar bottles. In each package will be found a copy 3f "Dr. Pengelly's Advice to Women.a. medical book, giving interesting and instructive Information about ail tha diseases of women and the way tv successfully treat them in the privacy Dt your own home without any pub-, .Icity whatever. Editor! Try a three time want ad,