The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-07-20
aMy fortune, Charley,n LAUGHED

Well, II | had such fortune i
prospect as you have, l wouldn
look SO solemn about it, old man.
"And how much do you think
does or will amount TOP"
"Rumor, withits hundred tongue:
has not one tongue that puts it les
than fifty thousand a year"
"Humph ! Truthful rumor," sai'
Jack.
Charley Grant looked at his frien,
inquiringly. "Jack, something
the matter. You have had a roy
with the old gentleman, as usual,
suppose"
As usuaI, calmly assenled How
ard. "Dinc with me at Delmoni
cos at six, Charley. ] want you
whole evening" !"
''All right, old fellow" and the,
separated.
At the door of the banking ollic,
Of Brown Brothers, Jack paused fol
q moment, looking contemplatively
at slip Of paper bearing number
of five figures. "You have kept tht
pace famously, my boy" was all the
reflection called forth.
i Howard entered the bank as tho
chimes of old Trinity struck two
making his way to the rear office
with an air of accustomed privel-
ege. Half an hour later he reap
peared, accompanied to the door OF
the office by one of the firm.
Very well, Mr. Howard, the sum
shall be placed to the old gentle
mans credit. A very pleasant sur
prise TO him."
On his way out Jack paused and
drew 4 check for 81 COS IS. 1t was
promptly paid and leisurcly poclz-
eted.
Quite aioriune," was Jack S men
tai comment.
The $50 morning train on the
Denver and South Park RAILROAD,
detained by heavy fall of snow in
Platte Canon, rolled up slowly to
the old board structure that served
as apassenger depot at Weston, Col,
time, 1870 a. m. December Il, 1879.
The multiplicity of saloons, in the
one long row of tents and slab shan
ties stretching along the side of the
track, proclaimed the place Of no
little Importance. Piles of freight,
heavy wagons, long mule trains and
staggering bull whackerS marked
the then terminus of the railroad.
The weary passengers turned to
the stage Office to book their seats.
No coacl,es till tomorrow, gentle
men. Last train delayed also.
Coaches left at daylight, crammed
inside and out. Heavy fell of snow
in South Park. Now roads to break.
Good accommodations at the Inter-
national, fourth shanty to right Of
Office. Nine and half to Buena
Vista, sir. Next gentleman" And
the agent, callous alike to curses
and prayers, calmly repeated his
formula TO another group Of unfor-
tunates.
Jack, what DO you think of the
International?" queried Charley
Grant, as the friends passed the
long, low slab edillice so-callcd.
''lt is disgrace to the borders of
Let us see If there are
any private conyeyanees to be
had"
Recourse to the imperturbable
agent developed the fact that but
one available vehicle remained in
the station. It was engaged at
once.
"Bill, put the sorrel and gray in
the blackboard, and tell Eb to stop
for two fares for Leadyille Send
baggage tomorrow, gentlemen. Very
busy season and roads bad from the
snow"
She two men addressed having
to offer in refutation of the
last forcible assertion, tacitly assent
ed It's truth. A few minutes later,
Blackboard, gentlemen" from the
taciturn Bill. Gimme q couple of
buffaloes, Hank. Wrap 'em up close,
gentlemen. If you don't need 'em
on the divide I'll eat 'em," and as if
that the odds were in his
favor. Eb smiled superiority, threw
off the break, the sonel and gray
made q weak attempt at friskiness
lost years before. and the blackboard
rolled heavily along in the deep ruts
of the frozen ground.
An hour had passed. The uneven
road had given place to snowy
trail, over which the wheels crunch
ed viciously.
The wind came rushing over the
plain with a hoarsc, indicative
scream. and the air was white with |
snow which cut tho face savagely. |
The horses were laboring heavily
through the low drifts which had
begun to FL the trail. The west
range had disappeared from view.
The drivers face was dark and
troubled.
BY George! one deserves a for
tune for overcoming the difficulties
he meets with in reaching Leadville,
setting aside those that await him
there" " growlcd Grant.
''But when the Eldorado is reach
ed and the fortune won, and that
little home and sweet Kate Sheldon
gained, how slight the hardships
will seem then," said Jack cheeri-
ly.
His companion frightened visi-
bly,:
ready, Jack. i 20 into the firm
when | return, and Kate told me
when We parted that she didn't
think she could let me go again.
So, Leadville or no Leadville. hap
piness awaits my return. | wish
that I could feel that the same good
fortune was in store for you, dear
old fellow"
"The food-tide will come in good
time, Charley" said Howard quiet
ly; and again there fell q long 81
lence.
The wind was rushing over the
plains in fierce gusts. and the snow