The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-08-06

bis arms and we're moving ont of the Office.
when Norman stepped forward, and picHk~;
ing up the pistol, said !:
Here. take this with you. It belongs
to him.
with Bethers. Norman entered hta own
room, washed his hands. adjusted his outer
man, and came back to his desk.
johnson and Wo0lsey did not return
imnediately-nor at all. that day. fhe%
were in demand after they TOOK Blethele
to his own place. They were called nssoA
to recount what they had sesn In the ONCE
and every time they told it they were asked
by some listener
WHO done il ?'
Cant prove it by ,ne,n they each
Invariably answered.
..Ye don't s'pose that little teller pzr
a head OH big Ben BleEhers, do you f''
Il tell We, We can't prove nothing By
me.' said johnson.
.'And there wasn't nobody there bus
B!ethers an him am the Ghinaman 81
.'Them's all seed thar
Il didn't see no one else ther, " said the
reticent Woolsay.
Then it must a. been the little fsllcr
done it.''
'.oh. no 1t wasn't him. said ths
oar-keeper. who was ambitious Of being
wag III was the Chinaman."
''Mebbe old Blethers had ft.''
'Damn clese fit, too,,' said the bat-
keeper as he stood polishing his tumblers.
.HeZ he got much of a head on him ?'s
'sYes, - said tie bar-keeper, s.hets got
double mnmps, ink-hottle eyes, and
Humboldt spud between EN-
''Wellibetlam, - said each listener, re-
f1ectiveiy.
The news of Blethers's defeat few up
and down the canon, from mouth TO m0utht
from cabin to cabia-ihto the mill. where
it was shouted from lips to ears through
the din OF the roaring stamps-from team
to team. as the drivers met in the road
and down into the mine. where, by low.
deep voices. it was reta:led in the glare of
the dim lights, which burned with brs~e
less silence.
Men desiring to see the battlefield made
excuse to call at the office and inquire for
BietElers.
Not in at present." was the clerks
polite and brief reply to each inquirer.
while he sat at bis desk apparently absorb
ed in his duties. The men, after the
fashion of the mountains land perhaps the
fashion is not confined to the mOuntatnSh
would nave liked Norman TO come among
them. to talk with them about the affair.
and be pa1ted on the back while he drank
with them but he was not that kind OF q
fighter. He had not sailed around the
world.
When the CiIinaman came out, bucket
in hand. ladder on shoulder. after finishing
his task, the idlers in camp interrogated
him.
John d You see that fight s''
mo see ffghtee''
''The hell you didn't ~
IN o see to nodding-uo sabe fghtee." !"
'.Well what's the matter with Blethers
then 30
Think so-him yelle sick-no COM ia
suppa.''
"rher'll be war in this camp when
Biether> gets on his pins again." said ore
workman TO another, whom he met on the
street.
who'll make the war :" asked the
| party addressed.
'.B.ethers and his frfends.''
''Haln't got no friends but his pets, and
they an't got sand enough to stand up TO
| a red-eyed gander.''
''Weli. they talk war;
LET em talk-it's cheap-but they'd
better hunt change of climate. This air
Is too thin for 'em-that's 's what the boys
say
'.All right 1t suits your Uncle Reu-
ben. l like the little clerk ftlst-rate.''
$50 do !; AMI he amt so little, either
when you stand up to him.
During this general anf scattering die.
ctiSsion. Norman Mayiole Jr. was attend
ing TO his duties and reficcting. As he
came across the street to his supper, with
bis left hand wrapped up ina handkerchief,
he men. of whom there is always &C
least one gang f.'shift they call itl of duty
in mining camp, looked at him, saluted
him politely. but asked him no questions.
When he went back to his office, after
supper. he wrote to Colonel Holten, IN
part, rs follows
Herewith / send you statements in
detail of last months business. hope
you will not fail TO note slight improve
nent-an increase of yield, a decrease of
cost. and think no Increase of wear and
tear. or neglect of supplies. This improve
inent Is not directly, but perhaps il in-
directly. attributable to my presence here
Since they find that they are to be fairly
treated, the men do more and better work.
The management has. for certain reasons
been more careful aud less lavish of ex-
penddure. Ii you think best. you may
tell the Stockholders generally that they
shall, from this time forward. have every
cent the mine can be made to earn as long
as renEiin here. can never be able to-
explain to You how have arrived at 50
confident conclusion. can not explain
1t TO myself, but-well. in fact | have
grasped the situation, and shall hold ie.
| had a personal encounter to-day with
Mr.. Biethers, the foreman, because he
used vile language to me and attempted
10 assault me. / am satisfied with the
result, and I hope that he is. Next
mouth. If nothing disastrous happens.
expect to report h general Improvement. !"
This portion OF the letter was thoroughly
understood and appreciated at the home
office in San Francisco.
no BE Continued