Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
T0BEY'S SILVER MINE.
"Who on earthl"

"Who on earthl"
Josiah Stoker broke off suddenly in the
midst of a conversation they had been
holding over the fence with mis- next
door neighbor, and then gazed up the
road
little old man with huge vaIise was
coming down it.
'He's pointing straight here" said Ru-
fus Bissel.
The old man came on slowly; paused
before the neigbors, set down his valise
and searched their faces with sharp good
hundred eyes.
"Dont you know me, boys?" he said.
The boys looked puzzled.
EsHe makes me think of Joel Tobey,
I declare for it!' said Mr.. Stoker at
last.
"Just what [ was thinking" said Mr..
eBissel.
"A man that used to keep store here"
Mr.. Stoker explained.
"Bissel and used to clerk for him.
Twenty-Five years ago, it was. He went
west.
"Dont say sop said the old man with
chuckle. ''Well, he's come back"
There was a chorus of EXPLANATIONS
and hearty Misunderstanding.
''Of course you'll put up with me?" said
Mr.. Stoker hospita bly,. "My wife Sarah
Burt that was, she'll be glad to give you
bed"
"You will be more than welcome at
my house," said Mr.. Bissel.
IT am calculating to stay for a week."
said the old man. II will divide it up
between you. can't stay more than a
week-can't leave my business a minute
longer"
''Well, begin with me,'' said Mr.. Stoker,
cordially; and dragged him toward the
house.
A pretty dark-eyed girl opened the
door.
''My daughter, Jenny" said Mr.. Stoker,
proudly. 'And my wife," he added, indi-
eating the motherly woman advancing to
There were two chairs by the fire and a
pitcher of cider In the cupboard.
''Things have gone along pretty slow
with BisseI and me- said Mr.. Stoker,
wiping his mouth and leaning forward to
poke the Goals. ''We've lived alongside
of each other for twenty-five years with
out anything happening to speak OF.
just now, to be sure, we're rather looking
for something. Bissel's son Wallace, has
Just come home from college lately, and
he and my girl there have taken reg
ular shine to each other. No telling
what will come of it. And how's the
west.
The old mans face grew animated.
"Wel," he said, complacently, ''silver
INNINGS rather more paying than store
keeping"
"Silver mining?" said Mr.. Stoker in an
awe-struck tone.
Exactly" responded his guest. Eve
been at it for years, Stoker; and I've
made my pile. I could buy up this town
and fifty like it!'
"Good gracious, Tobeyr" gasped his
nearer. And he sat in open-mouthed
wonder, while Tobey, with his wrinkled
face aglow, described his mine and the
manner in which he had ''struck."
''There's one thing that troubles me
considerable" Tobey concluded, 81
hain't relative in the world, Stoker-
not one. And the question is, what's
gong to become Of my money. 1t Wor-
ries me-
"You don't say?" said Mr.. Stoker, sym
pathetically.
There was a pause.
"See here, Stoker," said the old man,
bringing his fist down on the table sud
denly, ''you're as good friend as I've
got. 7 knew you when you was boy,
Stoker, See here; why shouldn't you
have the money!"
Mr.. Stoker, having no satisfactory rea-
son at hand, was silent.
cts a bargain" said Tobey with ener-
CIV. you're the man, Stoker. feel 1T.
You're deserving of it, Stoker, and you
shall have it. No, you needn't say
word-not word. I have made up my
mind"
And Tobey drained his mug with a
smile.
| When Mr.. Bissel came over that eve
ning-his son Wallace had arrived full
hour before and was talking to Jenny
in a corner-he noted change IN his
friend.
Mr.. Stoker was excited.
| He paced the room restlessly while
Tobey and Mr.. Bissel talked over old
| times by the fire; and the few remarks he
addressed to the latter were vaguely pa
tronizing.
Mr.. Bissel was puzzled, but he went
home without discovering a clue to the
mystery, leaving Wallace absorbed in
pretty Jenny Stoker.
The old man came down stairs next
morning with his big valise humping aft
er him.
Thought I'd give Bissel turn to-
day." he explained. "And see here, Stok-
err he added, confdentially. II wouldn't
say anything to Bissel, if I was in your
place, about little plan of mine; it might
max ehard feelings"
s'Just so, Just So" said Mr.. Stoker, ap-
provingly.
When he settled himself against the
fence that afternoon, therefore, for a
friendly chat with Mr.. Bissei, In like
attitude on his side of it, it was with
perceptibly increased condescension ID
! his manner.