The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-11-10
The REWARD OF MEEIT.
n. Qrad Writes OF a Friend of His whs
Was Way Up on Caves.

Was Way Up on Caves.
When stopped of at the Mammoth Cave
house last fall to have look ao the big IN
derground exposition, there were only a few
guests in the house. Only one Of them par
ticularly attracted my attention, and he
might not have done so had he not introduced
| himself, borrowed cigar, offered me a sip
of his cough medicine and otherwise exhibit
ed his desire TO be friendly. When we finally
got seated for an interchange of views, ne
claimed to be Col Henry Blanchard, late of
a Tennessee regiment. That is, he was about
twenty-five years late. having coloneled the
regiment during the last years of the war.
think he also told me which side he fought
On, and that he was an awful fighter, but just
at that time WAS wondering about the cave
aud didn't put down the figures.
l do remember, however, that the colonel
told me that he was a millionaire, and
further remember that | managed to convey
the impression that had about three mil
hons at my disposal Experience has taught
me that it is better to lie about those things
10 outlie the other party When u stranger
has informed you that he can draw his check
for cool million, and you have replied that
you'd be glad If you could draw one for S25,
drifts you to opposite sides of the pasture of
life. / therefore make it a rule to let the
ether man fix his figures to suit himself and
then ! double them.
The colonel next informed me that he had
arrived on the grounds with speculation in
view. He had heard that the cave was for
sale at ridiculously low figure. The owner
Of it had got the idea that mammoth caves
were going out of style and would soon be a
drug in the market, and would therefore sell
out for trihe-something like $4,000 Was
looking for IN investment On which | could
double my money in thirty daysl | was.
Would l take half of it, would If it had
been farm or a vineyard or yoke of cattle
might have heStated, but one never runs
any risk in buying a cave. It is right there.
1t stands in any climate. It is always healthy
and productive. If it should fail as a cave,
owing to some change Of public sentiment,
one can turn it into cold storage, state
prison or pirates lair and reap fair interest
On the capital
1t was agreed that we should walk over to
the cave next day, and it was further agreed
that we keep the matter as still as death.
There were other millionaires there, and they
might catch on We were to set out at a. m
30 as to go slow and look for other caves on
the road. Before setting out gave the land
lord my watch and all my money but q dollar,
and when ready TO go 1 stepped off as light
infantry. The colonel was awaiting me down
stairs, and under his directions | slipped
quickly away in one direction, while he took
another and soon joined me.
We've got to work this thing mighty
easy" no explained Chances to make a
million dollars don't grow on every bush, and
if the fact that this cave is for sale was known
IN Louisville special train of millionaires
would be out here tonight"
agreed with him, and we took to the fields
ard made short cuts. We had gone two
thirds of the distance and were passing over
wooded ridge and chatting as friendly as
two eGnperors, when l heard a clickl clickl
behind me and the colonel sang out;
"Halti Throw up your handsl"
halted and turned around and was some
what surprised to find that he had great big
revolver leveled on me at full cock. He also
looked as If there was serious business on
hand, and felt it my duty to inquire:
What's the matter, colonel-snakesg"
"If you don't do exactly as order win
blow your head off" he replied
But what's the orderP'
"Shen outi ! want everything you've
gosn
rs this put up ioaF
"And you are not Col. Henry Blanchard,
Int colonel of a late Tennessee regiment in
the late uarf7
mot anyl Shelf"
"Would you rob an orphan of his ALI" I
asked, hoping to reduce his heart to liquid
state and then outrun him.
~ would, and don't you bother me too
longF'
Then began to shell sheiled out silver
dollar and laid it on rock. Then / shelled
out cigar case, two quill toothpicks. a match
safe, n cigar, pocket knife and a phial Of
peppermint essence which I used for tooth
ache.
Come DOWN. he yelled as I stood and
looked at him
II have"
II want your money!"
"There it IS I've got sos and railroad
ticket to Detroit at the hotel, but you'll have
to wait until we return there"
where's your watchT'
"At the hotel"
"You miserable, poverty stricken wretch,
DuL you Aseu W tIS ApoCS souA uliiiiO4lS' 40
SHOUTED,
= But you lied first"
Turn your pockets inside outl"
complied and he saw their emptiness
That's a regular Yankee trick" he
growled as he tried to hide his chagriu. "If
it wasn't for the trouble of hiding your car
cnss I'd shoot you'll Now, then, do as tell
your
with pleasure
go straight towards those trees, and don't
stop until you reach them. II you look back
III shoot you"
l picked up everything but the dollar,
wished him good day and set out, and after
reaching the trees I made circuit and finally
brought up at the hotel. When told the
landlord what had happened he exclaimed:
'Is it possiblel Why, he owes me for a
weeks board What will happen next,
wonderF'
A week later met the colonel in Licking
ton, KY. met him face to face on the
street, and his embarrassment was so great
that felt sorry for him. In order to put
him at his eass and prove that had no hard
feelings towards him held out my hand and
said:
Colonel, you oye me dollar, borrowed
y,,oDav