The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-11-19
THE MYSTERY OF THE NINE.

THE MYSTERY OF THE NINE.
The Fraternity" mine was situated on
treeless upland. near little draw that ran
down from the Csbailo Mountains. It had
been taken up in first claim by Lon Howard
and Crib Lewis, two progressing men
who came ''oUt from the East - as the phrase
ran. lla,tgre the fact that the prevailing
mining fever made a granite ledge seem
|, scarcely an irrational site for prospect holes,
the proprietors were ridiculed no little for
their choice of location during their occa-
sional visits, for supplies or other business,
to the neighboring mountain towns.
. 1t was assumed that they had independent
sources OF income, since the mine certainly
would not yield them the necessaries of life.
s'She wouldn't buy her own fuse, let alens
blasting powder" said one mining sharp,
soidiSant. such tenderfeet couldn't locate
graveyard for me- They'd better cut their
shaft into three-foot sections, and peddle it
to the new telegraph company for post
holes"
The partners were reticent and self-eon-
tanned about their business, and bore well
the attempted Righteousness of the camp.
A At last there was the inevitable gratified
hutter Of fulfilled prediction among the
prophets when Crib" Lewis came to make
his abode in town, with the announcement
of his partners departure for their former
home.
'Lon was not fitted for rough life like
that" he said, in casual explanation. "Now,
If we had made big stake, he might have
stayed with it for awhile. But how he did
hate this part of the world, Ali you fellows
know how often he used to swear he was
going to break of and go back to Gods coun-
try miss him, of course; we've been to.
gether from the time we could run alone"
Howsrd's absence was regretted less than
might have been had not Lewis so freely al
luded to his partners sense of superiority to
the section. There was no doubt that lewis,
left 10 himself, changed most unfaverably.
He coarsened and rOughened day By day,
and settled through lower and lower social
Sstlata, until the most depraved and vicious
OF the camp were his chosen associates in the
wild debuauches for which, without labor,
be bad always ample funds.
1t was at this time that my father, coming
home to our late dinner, announced the ar
rival on the evening coach of fellow Cali
fornian and old-time neighbor of our family.
Mr.. Walter made one or two brief expsdi-
quietly stated to Us the conclusion OF nego-
/ tiations by which the Fraternity" mine be.
came the property OF a wealthy California
| company, as whose agent or friend had come
hither. The terms OF the sale were so con-
siderable as to give the transaction an i'm
portance beyond any other that had taken
place in the district for twelve month past.
Therefore Mr.. Walter, apprehending a rash
of claimants to "the extension" thought it
expedient 10 fix accurately the boundaries
of the original mine before knowledge OF the
unexpected purchase should generally trans.
pire. For this purpose the expert, my
father and q young surveyor, prepared to
drive out to the mine; and Mr.. Walter, with
: whom / was 8 faVorite, suggested that /
I should make the fourth in the carriage.
We made late start, and, driving easily
the thirty-odd miles, We reached the mine
little before night. 1t was not too late to
view the place-certainly es little as we'll
might be like any peTconceiyed idea OF
I. vslus bic mine. A little draw running down
from the low mountains, q league away,
with only an occasional scrubby tree dotting
It's aid border. A small tent on the slope
near the run, and some rods distant halfway
\ up the incline Of the r1ound-like bill. a
primitive windlass. in no wise different, save
IN point of massiveness from the apparatus
: ct The well in many an oidflshioned farm
yard.
"And this is the mine that has cost Scott
Reyr olds & Burke such q preposterous SUN,
on the strength OF your VerdlctE L cfleu,
picking up bit OF the glistening white rock,
almost white as marble, that sailed the
earth, Il wcnder, Mr.. Walter, that you
dare sssume such responsibility. This is
certsinly unlike any ore-beariDg rock that
have seen; yet hatter myself that / hare
gTown quite q ccnnoisseur."
THAT is the phenomenal peculiarly of
the mine-the surface indications are 80
slight. Yet you can find certain amount
of silver float among this beautiful, worth
less stuff The fact remains that the lead is
almost virgin silver, as you shall see to-
morrow 1 have traced il far into the ex-
tension by q well defined line of minor
sbafts-you see the dumps marking their
situation. Only the baldest luck or actual
cls1rvoyance can explain their strike. 1t was
only satisfaction Of my own senses that re-
assured me of the actual value OF the mine,
for Lewis esgerness TO sell was suspicious,
as was his extreme anxiety to keep our ne
gotiations secret in town yonder. Well, i
suppose he feels disgraced By his dissipation
there, and the figure be gets Is big eneugh to
satisfy any man."
"Eomething crooked" commented my
father who Is of an analytical turn OF mind,
ard nos over full of faith in his kind.
Is Mr.. Walter laughed. Straight enough Sc
far So our ownership is concerned. Vel
= see what color the bird In the bush prove:
to be-"
What provision have you against How
= ards claim ?" my father asked obviously.
"Oh, that's all right. Lewis holds power
OF attorney, and Towards signature to