The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-08


 and a. half per day. My work at first was healthf0l, and not very hard. l had charge of an elevator.
 soon became acquainted with a large number of men, all of whom 1 know by their first name, or some nick. name.
 Everybody knew me simply as Fred, my full name appearing only once a month, on the long pay roll.
 Among the men were two known as Dick and Jack. They worked to- gether, dumping lime," and their boxes of the limestone were elevated by me, SO became moro or less intimate with them as time went on. worked nearly a year at the cle- vator, and in March of the second year, was put at the dead we'll"
 Digging lead Is diagreeable, un- healthful work. Few men can stand 1t long, and soon found my appetite failing.
 As warmer weather approached I began to feel i'll, and finally succumbesl to the terrible suflerings of "leading," as 1t is called in the camps. was taken sick in June, and alter a month was able to be about, but worry pale and weak-a ghost of my former self.
 wandered to the smelter one day, intending to try to get a job, but the fumes sickened me, and leaned, death ly pale, against the door, when Dick and Jack came out, of from "thrce o'clock shift"
 "Ilallo, old fellow!" they cried. ssBack again2"
 al thought so," replied, "but can't stand 1t. It nakes me sick to smell the fumes"
 "Nonsense You're not well yet that's all. You need a country vaca- ton !" cried Dick.
 "Tell you what, Fred, go with us," said Jack.
 "Where7" l asked.
 "To Yellowstone Park" was the rec ply.
 "Now you are talking nonsense" said |, half impatiently. "How Is a poor working man out of work, and sick, too, to afford such tripf"
 "Any one can afford our style" laughed Dick.
 He then explained that they intend ed to start out to walk, but If they had chance to buy cheap, on the way, would get horses.
 "Of course we must have pack an imal to start with, but any sort of critter will do for that while we walk" he added.
 Well, the idea suited me. l could not work at once. The trip would no doubt do me good, and l should see Wonderland under favorable, If not fashionable, conditions.
 It was decided upon. l had one hundred and twenty five dollars, after paying my bills. My companions, more extravagant, had less.
 We bought a poor looking horse and a pack saddle, and some provis- ions. We also carried roll of blankets apiece.
 We started in July, and at first found walking difficult, but made pretty good progress.
 We reached Ruby Valley, and as 1t was still early in the season for pack trip, at Dicks suggestion, we stopped g week at a large ranch and helped in the having. There l bought small pony and second hand saddle, and inc sisted on my companions taking turns with me in riding.
 After we had resumed our travels, noticed . saddle among the baggage on our pack animal. On inquiry learned that Jack had bought 1t, hoping to find horse farther on.
 We travelled on through the valley, up Alder Gulch, into the once famous but now quiet Virginia City-up the hills beyond it, down the gulch to the Madison river, and over the bench lands to within 6 days Journey of Henry lake, famed for It's salmon trout and torch light fishing. About noon of one day when in this part of the country, we passed ranch where a man and his hired help lived alone and kept "bachelor's hall" | We stopped for a chat with . cow boy, then moved on, making, as thought, bluDder about the road, for Dick, who acted as leader, took us into a thick piece of forest, along stream, seemingly out of our way. About two o'clock p. m. we stopped for lunch and rest. After we had eaten, Jack says, suppose we camp here until morning E and rest and hunt 6 little"
 Dick and l agreed, and further, we agreed that Jack and should 70 out in different directions, while Dick guarded camp. So, about three o'clock, judge, took my shotgun and walked of alone. l was already tired, and seeing DO game, did not stay out more than an hour, think. When arrived at our camp, found Jack there, and two good looking nulea were there