Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-10-07

the miners, working away.
"a day Is twenty-four hours" re-
marked the stupid man, sarcastically
''Wa'al suppose it is"
"Then you haven't knowed of it a
day
You're smart, admit; but not that
smart"
"What'll you bet?"
Twenty dollars and drinks all
around"
Done"
In those days a bet, if nothing worse,
grew out of very slight difference of
opinion, no matter how trifiing a sub
ject.
The money was staked.
Glow is it going to be proyed?'
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 |. Dave-Smith, is it?"
''No. Dave Long"
All laId down their tools and the
party started toward the cabin to have
the bet decided and get the drinks.
''NOw remember" said the green
stranger, ''Tm willing to pay if I lose;
but day is twenty-four hours"
"Well?"
He looked at his watch.
EENTo,.I- ;,,C+ ;I,,-o,, 1870.
There were several watches in the
party-alll 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. Twasn't morn ten yester-
day morning when Dave come, and
he took his time getting dinner ready
which was eat at twelve"
''TO be sure, said another
"Oh, wait, " said the stranger. Leave
it to him."
"All right. He knows, for he has a
watch, and had timed himself coming
from Marysville."
They reached the cabin; Dave Long,
according to custom, was serving his
turn at keeping house for the week.
"Dave!"
Hello" replied grul' voice with
in.
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-a big,
burly fellow.
"This man here [ don't know his
name"
Blossom" put in the stranger.
''Wen, Blossom. he came round ard
went to tell us news. Twas about that
you know. | told him he'd
been asleep and was behind the age.
Now the bet is that we've knOwed it a
day-twenty-four hours-you brought
the news and know whether we did or
not"
'Now, honor bright said the self
styled Blossom. 'Think first. I know
you would not say what isn't true, but
you might forget. It's now just eleven
Can you say you got here before this
time yesterday? Think now"
Dave Long ruminated.
%, III IOOhGO dG NY WAUGH 10
see how long [ had been coming. 1t
was only two or three minutes after
ten"
Are you sure?"
Certain you could swear TO it?"
"FOr you know" put in one of the
others, chat you got dinner after you
came"
Eyes, durn it, don't | know"
But" said the fastidious stranger,
maybe you didn't tell the news right
away"
"Yes, [ did"
"And brought it straight from Marys-
ville?"
Eyes"
"All right. I've lost. Now for the
drinks. Give us your hand, Dave
Long"
char it is stranger"
With movement so quick that the
eye could not follow it, the inquisitive
stranger snatched both hands of Dave
Long and brought them together, and
the astonished spectators saw their
cOmrade standing with a pair of hand
cuffs on his wrists. They also saw the
new arrival, the man who lacked the
energy, the man who had boen asleep
for twenty-four hours, the man with
the mild name of Blossom, standing
at their comrades elbow with firm
hand on his collar and a revolver at
his temple.
you're my prisoner, Move an inch
and you're a dead man. | arrest you
for the murder of Mrs. Wolf. [ am
Detective Black of Sacramento. Neigh
bors, I've lost the bet"
Long was fairly paralyzed. He could
neither move nor speak.
A clamor arose among has comrades
stranger, no nonsense. Dave Long
never did such thing. He's above
such a crime. Let him go. We can't
stand here"
"Stand back!'' said the fearless
officer. 1t will go hard with any one
who interferes. This man is guilty, and
L can convince YOU"
How do you know"
Keep cool and / will tell you. He
came yesterday morning at ten o'clock,
and told AL about the murder that was
not discovered in Marysville till nine
o'clock. Did he walk fifteen miles i'll
an hour"
David Long was as pale as death, and
ne stood trembling from head to foot
the picture ofguilt. His comrades look
ed on, bewildered.
4ou see" continued Black, by the
way Of further explanation, ''it was on
his guilty mind and he couldn't help
6lurtlng 1t out, considering of cours e,
that the murder would be discovered be-
fore daylight or sooner. Luckily it was
not dISnONarph tIli l.