Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-07-25

tic is nOncHntdnce, and time, place,
and surroundings are the minor incl
dents of life which is made up of the
yicissitudes of fortune and the excite
ment of the most fascinating Of all the
villanies of mankind. The Astounding
wealth and the ablect poverty which
come and go III the chances OF night,
are but the common incidents OF a life
which has IN it no honor, no love, and
no home which acknowledges no God
and no fear; ana which, at some mid
night not far in the future, is sure Of a
sudden ending and an unmarked grave.
/ And so it was not the incidents or
dangers OF the journey of three hum
dred miles to the Arizonian capital
which those men discussed that same
night, as they stood at the shadowy
corner of the street. 1t was only the
means they talked about. The last
stage of the "OYerlandn had been TAX
en- of month ago. Mangas Colora-
do, or Coloraow," held every pass
and watched every spring, and every
month earning anew his sanguinary
cognomcn. But the doubloons were
very scarce in the sleepy town, and this
congress of gamblers had grown tired
of HE which was wanting IN all ex-
citement, tired of their mistresses. and
even tired Of themselves. Therefore,
it was agreed that they should buy the
idle coach aud the six mules of the
company that no longer needed them,
arm and equip themselves with unusual
prodigality, and start for Tucson with
in the week.
Softly, as was his wont, Mr. James
Matkin approached them as they loud
" talked, and stood apart and listened.
" Well, now" said one, where's yer
ante fur to get this outfit with p
+" Old Matkin got 1t, y roared his in
terlocutor, and he must ante, or by
c.
Hold up" said third, placing his
hand upon the speakers mouth, "if
yer goin' to say anything of that kind
here, say it i01Cer, you fool
Then they drew nearer together and
muttered mysteriously, the words being
inaudible to the listener save when
sentence eliminated in the emphasis of
fearful oath.
But the gentlemanly gambler knew
well enough what they said. aud as he
stood there in the shadow, he made
his plan. The warning he carried III
his breast pocket was one of danger;
this was another. Therefore he walk
ed up to the party, with IA careless IN
difference, and seemed surprised and
pie sed at meeting so many of his
friends at once,
eve want four hundred dollars,
Jim Matkin, said big fellow in IL red
shirt, "and we must have it, and if
you-"
Certainly, gentlemen, and might |
inquire for what purpose!
Had it been daylight, they might
have seen him draw his thin lips from
his teeth i'll the mockery Of smile as
he said this.
"To buy that coach and mule
team--and cheap at that. We can't
stand no SIGH as this no longer, and the
eight of us has concluded to go to
Tucson or go to HI,
Then the Principal Sharper explain
ed that it was all satisfactory, and he
also would go; whereat his victims
were again gulled as usual, and even
pleased and flattered
OF those eight men, the circumstan-
ces and characteristics are the only es-
seutials necessary, even if remember
ed. They We're n striking group as
they sauntered down the street. Each
wore upon his thigh the inevitable
Colts each threw back his shoulders
and brought down his neat boot heel
with a characteristic jerk, and each was
eloquent in the utterance of that blood
curdhng blasphemy known only in its
perfect richness of iniqlity III such
places and among such men.
Notwithstanding dull times, the gem
tlemauly individual who sauntered
down the street behind the noisy crowd,
knew where six thousand dollars in yell
low com lay hidden upon the hillside,
ana that. and the letter he had in his
pocket, aud the men he had Just left
were the three things which sorely puz-
zled him. He must get ril of his
friends. and save his money, and change
his residence. If he failed to furnish
these men with the means required,
they would stay and have more. II he
took the money with him, they would
know II and act accordingly. And ii
he and they stayed, the Vigilautes
wonld end all Yes, 4 change and a
rapid one, was very necessary. But
would he so to Tucson , Not if he knew
it.
Ala and there was still another
question, one that came almost near
er his selfish heart than any, other, -
which reed itself upon him as he
sauutercd down the street. What was
to be done with the Donna Ana
The coach and mules We're purchaS.
ed, and the approaching exodus was
uoisei abroad The men, SO far MS