The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-10-22


bothering them at their work. He stopped
and talked with groups here and there, and
asked questions about place to locate
claim. He was green. Then he told them
a piece of terrible news. A woman had
been foully murdered in Marysville.
Her name was Wolf her husband did it,
it was thought-in fact, there was no doubt
of it. The simpleton That was no news.
1t had been the talk of the camp for
twenty-four hours.
"0h then you knowed it yesterday"
"Of course"
He went from claim to claim; asked par
ticularly about mining prospects, mentioned
the murder
"That fellow won't do much. He's too
lazy-looking," was remarked more than
once.
The forenoon was wearing away. The
man Of unsound mind stopped for the
twentieth time and talked to group of
four who were working claim. He sat
on large stone. He spoke of the murder
actually informed them of it as news
"Why, old fellow" said one, "you're
asleep. You're day behind the age"
The slow creature was little nettled.
ooh, no F.; not day." said he.
"Wa'al, yes, now," retorted one of the
miners, working away
GA days twenty-four hours" remarked
the stupid man, sarcastically.
"Wa'al, 'spose it is?''
"Then you haven't knowed of it day.
Your smart, l admit; but not that smart"
What'll you bet?"
"Twenty dollars, an drinks all around" {"
"Done.'
In those days, bet if nothing worse,
grew out of very slight difference of opin-
ion, no matter ON how trifling subject.
The money was staked.
Snow prove it."
"That's easy"
"Who brought the news?"
"Dave Long-one of our mess. He'd
been down to Marysville, over Sunday, on
a bender"
"Where is he?'
"At our cabin. He's cooking this
week."
"Well, drop them tools. You're all dry,
and so am 1. Dave Smith, is 1t?
"No. Dave Long"
All laid down their tools, and the party
started toward the cabin to have the fool
ish bet decided and get the drinks.
"Now, remember" said the green stran-
ger, Pm willin' to pay if lose; but
days twenty hours"
"Well?'
"Mark, then, it's just 'leven now."
He looked at his watch.
There were several watches in the party.
All were referred to. They varied but few
minutes.
"Let me see," said the miner who had
wagered with the newcomer-let me see.
Why of course you'll lose, stranger. 1t
wasn't more'n ten yesterday mornin' when
Dave come, and he took his time gettin'
dinner ready which we ate at twelve"
"To be sure" said another
"Oh, wait" said the stranger, leave it
TO him."
I" All right. He knows for he has q
watch, an had timed himself comm from
Marysville.
They reached the cabin, where David
Long according to the custom, was serving
his turn at keeping house for the mess.
"Dave p
6 Hello p' replied gruff voice within.
"Come out"
"What's wantin'?''
"We've got up bet, drinks included,
and it's left for you to decide"
Dave Long came to the door, big burly
fellow.
"This man hete-I don't know his
name
Blossom" put in, the stranger " Well,
Blossom, he come round and went to tell
us news. Twas about that murder, you
know, told him he'd been asleep, an was
behind the age. Now, the bet is that we've
knowed it day, twenty-four hours. You
brought the news, and know whether we
have or not"
"Now, honor bright" said the self
styled Blossom. "Think first; know you
wouldn't say what wasn't true, but you
might forget. It's now just after eleven.
Can you say you got here with the news
before this time yesterday? Think now."
Dave Long ruminated-
"Yes for looked at my watch TO see
how long I'd been coming, 1t was only two
or three minutes after ten."
" Are YOU sure Yn