Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-10-11
Future Let Us Add Vigorous Work. in the Living Present.


The money was staked.
''Now, prove it,
''That's easy"
"Who brought the news?"
'sDave Long-one of our mess.
He'd been down to Marysville, over
Sunday, on bender. -
''Where is hep
cat our cabin. He's cooking this
this week.
"Well, drop them tools. You're
all dry, and SO am 1. Daye-Smith,
is it?''
''No. Dave Long
All laid down their tools, and the
party started toward the cabin to have
the foolish bet decided and get the
drinks.
''Now, remember" said the green
stranger, ''I'm willin to pay if / lose :;
but a days twenty-four hours"
"Well?"
''Mark, then, it's jest '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 coarse, you'll
lose, stranger. 'Twasn't more'n ten
yesterday mornin' when Dave come,
and he took his time gettin' dinner
ready-which we eat at twelve"
''To be sure" said another.
tOh, wait" said the stranger.
Leave it to him.
"All right. He knows; for he has
a watch, an had timed himself COM
in from Marrysville.
They reached the cabin, where
David Long, according to the Gus
tom, was serving his turn at keeping
house for the mess.
"Daven'
"Hello!" replied 4 gruff voice
within.
''Come out"
Whats wantin' %
We've got up bet, drinks inclu-
ded, and it's left for you to decide. "
Dave Long came to the door-a
big, burly fellow.
II his man here-I don't know his
name"
Blossom" put in the stranger.
swell, Blossom, he come around
and went to tell us news. Twas
about that murder, you know. /
told him he'd been asleep, an was be-
hind the age. now, the bet is that
we've knowed it a day-twenty-tour
hours. You brought the news, and
know whether we have or not
Snow, honor bright" said the
self-styled Blossom. ''Think first.
1 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.
Certain; could swear to it,
For, YOU know" put in one of
the others, ''that you got dinner af-
ter you come -
'Yes, durn it don't know"
''But," said the fastidious stran-
ger, ''maybe you didn't tell the news
right away?''
Eyes, did"
''And brought it straight from Ma
rysville?"
s'Yes."
"All right. I've lost. Now for
the drinks Give us your hand, Dave
Long"
''Thar it is, stranger.
With movement so quick that the
eye could not follow it, the inquisi-
tive stranger snatched both the hands
Of David Long, brought them togeth-
er, and the astonished spectators saw
their comrade standing there with
pair of handouts on his wrists. They
also saw the newly arrived, the man
who lacked energy, the man who had
been asleepIor twenty for-~ hours. thea
man with the mild name of Blossom,
at their burly comrades
elbow, with firm hand on hls collar
and revolver at his temple.
"You're my prisoner! Move an
nch and you're dead man. 1 ar
rest you for the murder of Mrs. Wolf.
am Detective Black of Sacramento.
I've lost the betl"
Long was fairly paralyzed. He
could neither move nor speak.
A clamer arose among his COM
-ades. .
stranger, no nonsense. Dave
Long never done such a thing. He's
above such CRIME. Let him go?
We can't stand here and-''
ssStand back!" said the fearless
officer. SIT will go hard with any
one who interferes. This man is gull
~, and l can convice you"
''How do you know?"
''Keep cool, and I'll tell you. He
came here yesterday morning at ten
o o'ciock, and told you all about a
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