The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-01-28

1 Atlo HllAt Auil Il
valued above all earthly considerations
and such Is the rapidity with which, in
those argentiferous regions fortunes
are sometimes amassei, that | was not
without warrant for aspirations which
in Europe would perhaps have seemed
futile.
And now 10 explain the present po-
sition of the firm and the reasons for
my undertaking journey fraught, ac-
cording 20 the rugged old militia col
onel's dictum, with almost certain dis
aster. Curtis Brothers, who, by long
course of jndicious operations. bad
raised themselves from poverty to aillu-
ence, had at that time on hand a specu-
lation of unusual importance. They had
made, chiefly in Texas, very large pur-
chases of horned cattle. sheep and
swine, destined TO feed the swarmng
population of the sterile mining dis
tricts, where provisions. and meat in
especial, command high prices. The in
vestment seemed the more likely TO be
profitable. since the twin plaques of
New Mexico, drought and locusts, had
occasioned notable mortality among
the cattle Of Arizona and the adjoining
Territories, and great pecuniary returns
We're anticipated.
All these calculations seemed likely
TO be upset by the sudden outbreak Of
that smouldering Indian war which
never quite comes To an end in that dan
gerous region. The Apaches. the ire
claimable foes Of all white men, were
on the war-path. leagued, As was re-
ported, with sundly ether tribes-the
kiowas, the Navaioes and the dreaded
Comanches; and already hideous tales
Of Indian cruelty and massacre re CT
ed Us from many a lonely homestead
within reach of the spoiler. Yet the day
was at hand when the great herds OF
oxen and droves of swine already pur-
chased would be waiting at Cristobal
for the completion of the bargain, and
my employers were well aware that I'M
less the cattle could be paid for fatal
blow would be dealt 10 the credit of the
firm. Messrs. Curtis had strained every |
nerve To collect the ready-monev neces- |
sary, and the funds were forthcoming, /
but the entire scheme babe fair 10 be I
frustrated by the abrupt closing of the \
route, consequent on the war. No man
or party OF armed men could have been
bribed to attempt the conveyance of the
cash across the plains, now haunted by
the savage enemy, when astonished
my employers by volunteering to be the
messenger.
You shall not have To repent It.
Harry, my boy" said the elder of the
two brothers, as he wrung my hand in
his horny one: '.yOu've stood manfully
by Us AT this pinch, and we'd be mean
enough if we didn't show gratitude a
little more substantially than by few
fair words. We never yet did raise a
clerk 10 be a partner, but - There.
here, Lyndham; | did not intend to
egg you on by an offer, as il YOU needed
hat, hastily added the honest old fell
ow. fearing, as he saw the color rise to
ny face, that had taken umhrage at
lis rough speech. "Come safe back to
Is, lad, and all will be right
Mr.. James Curtis spoke words to |
much the same effect, at the same time !
bidding me he careful. and indeed it ,
vas curious to watch the struggle inmy |
Employers mind between their natural
agerness to escape financial wreck .
hat almost amounted TO ruin, and the
indy apprehension lest | should lose i
nv life in their service. il
As for myself, knew well enough j
low great was the risk | ran, and for
low momentous stake was about to
lay, and had not the goal before nv
mental vision been the bright prospect ,
4 calling Rosamond nv wife, even the
partnership would hardly ,
ave tempted me 10 set off on an errand /.
o perilous. As il was, 1 was resolved {
nd as got ready for the start | tried I
uietly to weigh the chances for and Z
gainst my safely reaching Cristobal {
had fair knowledge of the country, |
which had traversed on four or five l
and was no novice in camp :
ng out, or in the familiar incidents Of I
'rairie travel. / could ride well, too, {
nd was better mounted than most Of r
he residents in that district, where ]
Iorse-fesh is cheap and plentiful. hav- :
NJ in my possession splendid chest \
nut thoroughbred, originally brought c
rom Kentucky by some United States Z
'fficer, and which was celebrated for Z
trength and speed. was fond of Sun
'eam, and he of me, for he was docile |,
md intelligent a. well as swift, and \
would follow me for miles as dog fol- !
ows his owner, or stand, when | babe y
i'm, with the reins hanging loose upon l
lis glossy neck.
There was scanty time for leave tax Z
ne. 1t was deep in the afternoon when I
started, a dozen or more Of the young [
r citizens of Tucson riding with me for b
he first half-hour, and giving me a a
earty cheer as we parted. More than il
ne strong right hand trembled little v
> it grasped mine in tokenof adieu, and b
here was an unwonted moisture glisten- b
ne in the honest eyes Of some Of the V
ind-hearted young fellows a they $