Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-06-02

suited the parson, for ne WAS aeHihS y"
get aboard the steamer for the States.
Smally worked the sale, and to do IL got
some kind of paper from the parson'
who knew no more abou: the business
than Piute about whisky poker. Smaliy
got the money and sloped. They brought
him back, you remember, Reddy, but
when they come to law him about 1t 1t
turned out the parson had signed paper
agen which he had no show la court.
They had to let him 60, and any man who
was in Hangtswn then knows ne saved
his neck gsttin' out Of sight quicker'n he
had before. Well, the parson was kinder
broken-hearted. He didn't squeal. that
want his kiad; bat he slipped quietly
! away, all the life gone out of his voice
and hardly the courage to dig mp stakes
and move, 'cept for that little wife OF his
-goin't. Mr.. Howard? ?" Barnes suddenly
asked, for the young miner suddenly LETT
the group surrounding Zine. Howard
was already at the door before answering
SHORTLY, 'sYes; COED night" When the
door had closed behind him Reddy, ad-
dressing Barnes, said, "Cuess he didn't
like your picture of old Smally."
"Who is hee" Barnes asked, looking
At the door which had just closed on
Howard.
she came here about month ago just
after you left for the Bay, and struck up
q great friendship for old Smally. He's
cabining with the old man now, and has
charge of the tunnel the old man 10 run
min to tap the ledge of his claim. He's
no good"
"weli, 1 ain't sorry he knows what
kind of a pard he has," Barnes said, "Old
smally's no good, and it goes If he hears
it, which guess he will" and the pros
pect of some pistol practice with old SmaIly
which this reflection suggested caused Mr..
Barnes to refill his pipe with much care.
"Friend of yours?" he suddenly asked
of Mr.. White, the young man who had
| treated the crowd.
.sNo; only met him a few days ago.
I've been asking him about old Smally's
| claim. which was thinking Of bonding
or buying," the young man answered,
remark which instantly caused him to be
regarded with intense interest by every
man in the room, nearly every one OF
whom had claim he was willing either
| to bond or sell.
Ina few minutes White left the saloon
after treating once more, aud wishing
every one pleasant good night"
When he walked out in the dark street
he stopped moment, as If assuring HIM
self that mono of his late companions were
watching his movements. Then he walked
quickly on for a short distance, overtaK-
ing Howard, to whom he said, with
quiet laugh: 'If any incentive was need
ed, I think Mr.. Zinc Barnes story sup
piled it, Frank"
"Rather," was Franks short, dry re-
ioinder. They walked on for while In
silence, and then White said:
500 you really think 1 ought to offer
the old rascal 800, FrankH 1t happened
TO be lust about all have left. It's been
rather expensive work, posing as capi-
taIist here for q week, with Reddy's vile
whisky two bits a glass, and every one
drinking every time. The whole hundred,
! Frank"
81 tell you yes, Henry" Frank replied,
with some impatisnce. you do hot know
what an influence the sight Of gold has on
the miserly old reprobate. These precious
five $40 gold pieces will nearly turn his
head. Follow the programme I've laid
out and the game will win"
"All right, my dear boy; bat II 1t don't
we walk back to San Francisco, or borrow
from the ruddy Reddy. Here we are"
As he spoke they reached cabin. En-
tering, they were met by old Smally,
whose small, closely set eyes and uncom-
monty long, smooth upper lip gave him
most unlovely appearance. He greeted
White with cringing attempt at cheer
fulness and received from that young man
such grip Of the hand as caused his eyes
TO water and his long lip TO twitch with
pain. 81 have concluded to close with
the terms You proposed through Howard,
and have brought the necessary papers,
White said, brskly, after releasing the old
mans cramped fingers.
"Oh. the morning will do, Mr. White;
the morning will do quite rs WELL" old
Smally said, his cunning suggesting some
show of reluctance.
Excuse me, but the morning will not
do. You must sign the papers tonight or
the trade Is of, and 1 will accept another
favorable offer have from Mr.. Barnes"
"woll, IL you insist upon it. I've no OBJ
lection to signing tonight. But you know
that some little coin, just guarantee OF
good faith you know, generally passes at
such transaction as this"
White threw five twenties oa the table
with the remark: "That's all the gold
happen to have in my pockets"
Old smally's eyes cleaned as he
clutched the gold, and croned over and
over, "such a transaction as this"
White and Howard glanced at each
other Significantly. When White spoke
again. old Smalley started like discov-
cred thief, and hastily buried the gold in
pocket.
"well, here are the papers," white
said.
He laid on the table carefully drawn
form of memorandum Of sale, by the terms
OF which old smalley bound himself to