The Dawson journal., 1883-06-21

get aboard the steamer for the
States. Smally worked the sale,
and to do it, got some kind of a
paper from the parson, who knew
no more about business than a
Piute about whiskey poker.
Smally got the money and sloped.
They brought him back, you re-
member, Reddy, but when they
come to law him aboutit, it turned
out the parson had signed a paper
agin which he had no show in
court. They had to let him go,
and any man who was in Hang
town then knows hesaved his neck
by getting ont of sight quicker
than he had ever before. Well,
the parson was kinder of broken
hearted. He didn't squeal; that
wasn't his kind; but he slipped
quietly away, all the life gone out
of his voice, and hardly the cour-
age to dig up stakes and move,
except for that little wife of his
going Mr.. Howard?' Barnes sud
denly asked, for the young minner
suddenly left the group surround
ing Zinc. Howard was already at
the door before answering, shortly,
Yes; good night When the door
had closed behind him, Reddy,
addressing Barnes, said: Guess
he didn't like your picture of old
Smally.'
"Who is hep Barnes asked,
looking at the door which had Just
closed on Howard
"He came here about a month
ago, just after you left for the Bay,
and struck up a great friendship
for old Smally. He is calming
with the old man now, and has
charge of the tunnel the old man is
running to tap the ledge of his
claim. He is no good
"\Nell, | amt sorry he knows
what kind of pard he has"
Barnes said. cold Smally is no
good, and it goes if he hears it
which [ guess he WILL and the
prospect Of some pistol practice
with old Smally which this rehec-
ton 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.
"No; | only met him few DAYS
ago. [ have been asking about
old Smally's claim, which [ was
thinking Of bonding or buying"
the young man answered; re-
mark which instantly caused him
to be regarded with intense inter
est by every man in the room, near
ly every one Of them had claim
he was willing either to bond or
sell.
In few minutes White left the
saloon, after treating once more,
and wishing everyone a pleasant
good night.
When he walked out into the
dark street he stopped a moment,
as if assuring himself that none of
his late companions were watch
ing his movements. Then he
walked quickly on for a short dis
lance, overtaking Howard, to
whom he said, with a quiet laugh:
eff any incentive was needed, I
think Mr.. Barnes story supplied
it, Frank
Rather" was Franks short,
dry rejoined. They walked on for
a while in silence, and then White
said:
"Do you really think I ought to
offer the old rascal 800, Frank?
It happened to be just about all [
have left. It's been rather expen-
sive work, posing as capitalist
here for a week, with Reddy's vile
whiskey two bits a glass, and every
one drinking every time. The
whole hundred, Frank?
81 tell you yes, Henry Frank
with some Impotence.
"You do not know what an infu-
ence the sight of gold has on the
miserly old reprobate. Those pre-
cious five 500 gold pieces will turn
his head nearly. Follow the pro-
gramme l have laid out and the
game will win.
'All right, my dear boy; but if
it don't, we walk back to San Fran
cisco, or borrow from the ruddy
Reddy. Here we are.
AS he spoke they reached a cabin.
Entering, they were met by old
Smally whose small, closely set
eyes and uncommonly long, smooth
upper lip gave him a most unlove-
~ appearance. He greeted White
with a cringing attempt at cheer
fulnees and received from that
young man such a grip of the
hand as caused his eyes to water
and his long lip twitch with pain.
81 have concluded to close with
the terms you proposed through
Howard, and have brought the
necessary papers, White said
briskly, after releasing the old
mans cramped fingers.
ooh, the morning will do, Mr..
White; the morning will do quite
as WE'LL old Smally said, his cum
ming suggesting some show Of re-
luctance.