Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-08-31
HOW IBECAME RICH.

About seven miles southwest Of the
middle fork Of Boulder Creek, was a ranch
that went by the name Of Bloom Fal.ow.
An exceedingly retired man, surmised to
be an Englishman, named Kent, lived
,hpre u great secuson with bis single
servant, an old man, who owned-aud
that was all you could ge, him to own to
the name Of Jerry. AS to when Kent
came there, or how he made living
there being no appearance of farming or
stock raising going an-nobody knew
Happening myself, however, to become
possessed somewhat singularly of some
interesting particulars on the subject,
will lay them before you, and have you to
form your own conclusions
l had been prospecting in that vicinity
for several days with Indifferent success,
when one evening, finding myself near
this house which had never seen before,
and much preferring a roof over my head
if could have it, walked up to the door
and knocked, determined to ask permis,
sion to spread my blankets on the Goor
for the night. | heard voice within d.
'ect Jerry " to open the door. Then 1t
was opened, and was admitted by the
cd man. protiered my request, but he
| bent his ear as if be did not understand.
| repeated it in a louder tone when a
man had not before observed, crouching
over low fire, without turning answered
me in the affirmative. entered, spread
my blankets, took a bag containing gold
dust from my pack, and placed it under
my pillow, and then began eating o few
biscuits l had with me for supper, when
slight noise against tie thin partition at
my elbow made ME turn my head suddenly
in that direction. There was a knot hole
about two feet from the ground, and look
ing through twas an eye as red as game
cocks A moment more and it was gone.
heard the suhdued sound of retreating
footsteps, and door gently closed.
A little while after, old Jerry came in
from outdoors and sat down without
speaking. venturea few remarks, hop.
ing to start conversation, but receiving
no reply, gave up the attempt, and rolling
myself in my blanket, enleavored to go
10 sleep. There was some sigulnrty in
the conduct of my hosts, | thought, bu.
| " - 4
Tor fear so long rs my two Colts were
in order, | did not know what il wa. |
troubled myself but little with these or
any other reflections, however, and was
soon worshiPping the drowsy Cod
How long | slept do not know. Ny
next recollections are Of a state Of half
consciousness, in which | seemed to be
struggling violently to wake without the
power to do so; as if some indefnabIe
bu, imminent danger was near me-,ha, |
seould perish if slept. Suddenly awoke.
| think 1t was the sound of paloppinr
steps of horse approaching the dwelling
that caused me to regain my conscious.
ness at any rate, that was the noise that
first struck upon my ear as | opened my
eyes. But | did no, devote much time to
reflection. can assure you ; for as did
so, the first object saw was the figure of
old Jerry bending over me, while the
moonlight, which slahted through the sin.
gle broken pane, gli,'ered upon the white
steel blade of a huge bowie kn.e, which
he held upliied, just in the act of striking.
must own that | considered my life gone,
TO- mere was not even time for ne to cock
a pistol but luckily, while the william had
not seen me wake, the noise outside sud
denly called of his attention. The delay
was renewal Of life to me. and fatal to
HIM In an instant more had covered
him with pistol in another, u tlash--a
report-a cloud of smoke, and he fell
dead, shot through the brain.
Almost simultaneously | heard the
horse stop at the door Some one dis
mounted and tried to force the door. 1t
was immovaole. Next heard efforts at
the door in the rear, communicating with
tbs Par,tioned apartment | have made
mention of before. At last | heard il
give way, and same one, whose tread |
fancied seemed too light for mans, en-.
| tered. There was breathless silence for
moment during which the steed rest
less champing of his bit outside seemed
painful contrast. Then l heard "a slngu-
larry sweet voice, which, however contra-
dictory it may appear, had yet with it I.
tone OF intense ftrocity, uttering the fol-
lowing, with slightly Spanish accent:
"William Kent, you are in this house /.
You cannot escape by the other door, for
have tied it with my 'lariata." You
cannot pass this, for guard il. Iknov