The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-04-10


women proved dutiful wives and the
civilizing effects Of their presence was
plainly visible in the camp.
MonAwK's WIFE,
In particular, was we'll liked. She was
the better looking Of the Two and in
many ways was more agreeable than
the other. After their marriage .he
had brought in from the railroad con-
siderable property Of her own, and her
husband was grati1ed TO discover that
in marrying and settling down, M he
termed 1t, he had not. only found an
amiable wife, but ono whose small
stock Of worldly goods was quite ap
addition to his own.
About month ago the two women
disappeared very suddenly and myster.
iously. AT Grst no one wanted 20 asy
anything TO the bsreaved husbands, ana
as they, too, held their peace there
seemed no prospect Of anybody becom-
ing any wiser. Finally meeting was
held and IL was decided that commit
iee should Investigate the matter.
When the delegation came to look io,
Tbumser they found that he, too, was
gone, but Mohawk was found alone in
bis cabin. When frat addressed he
would say nothing, but at length the
truth came out that the women had
stolen Mohawk's dust, ovidootly With
the oonnivance Of Thumser, and that
Thumser had gone with them, no Que
knew where.
This discovery maddened the camp.
Mohawk was subdued aud almost
broken hearted, for tho dust taken rep
resented the toll Of months. Scouting
parties were sent out, and IN the cou-sr
Of two or three days The fugitives we'r
rounded up and brought into camp.
Then there was = dispute ~ to ,b-
method OF procedure. which was finally
settled by old Tom once more taking
she lead. He, a. the supreme eccis-
siastical authority, assumed legal jnris-
6iction 10 the case, and as no one ob-
jsc,ed, ho announced thathe intended
70 divorce tho couples then and there.
THUMsKR AND HIS WIFE
Objsctad most strenuously 70 this, but
old Tom commanded silence, and called
the frat witness. From Mohawk be
learned that his wife:bad brought h'u'
two frying-pGns, dipper, a box Of pep
per, three piciures,a boot, several Yard
Of flannel and S3. All theAa hs drcl"r
ed forfeited. Plscisl Tbumser "n tie
stand, be made him give up the sack cf
dsst stolen from hobask aud plno- biz
own on tho floor by bis side. FrDn'
the women, who now were thoroughly
frightened, he extracted confessions that
they were impostors who had come 10
tho camp on lark that they bad
never seen tho Eastern S.ates at ali i,
that they were notoriously Of bad ch-'-
aeter, and that they bad onticed Than.
ser away with them on the promsse
tha. they would steal Mohawk m n
sy.
When all these things bad been re-
vcaled old Tom rose up with an oath .
yard long, ard annoaaced that he j. d
divorced both couples and awarded
ThumseT's gold 10 Mohawk as damage.
This was greeted with shout, aud, as
the crowd was about to disperse, I, m
added that the three culprits were up.
der orders 10 make tracks away fron'
the diggingS as soon as possible. Tbnm
ser made Of, the women following.
Mohawk sat with bis two bags Of goid
in silence for few minutes, and then,
looking up hastily, he went to the dooI
and watched the retseating forms long
and earnestly. Presently he set out u
ovsrtake them, running like deer
When be had gone tie men noticed
that but one bag Of gold rested on 'h'
floor, and they looked into each othe'''
eyes meaningly and separated.
Mohawk returned after while found
bis dust, took it to his cabin, and put
il in the receptacle from which it had
been stolen. Since then nothing has
been said to or oy him about his matrl'
monial venture, but q great many oI
tbe boys have wondered whether h'
gave Thumser's dust back to him al
handed it 20 biz baLished wife to he'll
her on her journey. 1t may come on'