Wichita eagle., 1889-02-02
BILL BUSHNELL'S LASS.
Two Mining Partners Who Be-
came Rival Lovers

Josh Fields and Tom Willis were both
dead in love with Bill Bushnelfs pretty lass,
Mol
If there was any thing peculiar about this
circumstance, it was not in the TACT or their
infatuation. however, butlin the fact that
Josh and Tom were partners-joint owners
of mining claim-and to see couple OF
boon companions develop into rival lovers
struck some of US old miners about the
camp as mighty queer business.
They were such brotherly chaps that, If 1t
had been any thing but love affair, Irechon
either the one or the other would have
given up to his chum; but they didn't In
this case Neither seemed inclined to
bulge an inch, and, in this manner, several
months went by, with each one DONG his
best to make an everlasting impression
upon his inamorata.
At last, however, Josh made up his mind
that the matter had dragged long enough,
and, not wishing to hurt his pard's feelings
by rushing ahead impetuously, he decided
10 take him into his confidence.
The time chosen was just before they
were going to quit work for the day, and
while the scattered tools were beng gain
cred up and put away.
pards since we was boys, an, not only
pards, but the closest sorto' friends. There's
never been a hitch b'tween US on emmy
pint, an | hope there never will be. Fur
them reasons, I'm goin' to speak right out
in meetin', SOS TO make myself understood.
The fac is, Tom, you an me hev bin so on
fortunate as TO fall dead in love with the
same gal-old Bill Bushnell's lass-an', as
it's ag'in nature fur US both to marry her,
we've got to figger out some way out o. the
muddle. How can we co it, Tom, SOS to
keep squar' friends an do justice to each
feller's love an to Molll''
Toms face kind of clouded, as though he
wasn't overglad that the subject had been
brought up, and fell to thinking and pulling
at his pipe, without making any immediate
reply.
ats hard nut to crack, JOSH" said he,
ut length; "what would you suggestp
"Weu," answered Josh, ''since some
things got to be done, an done on the
squar', suppose we draw lots. The teller
as gets the long cut has the first chance to
ask fur the gal; if he fails then the loser
can try his luck. What dye say?"
Again Tom meditated, and pulled vigor-
ously at his pipe.
Its about the only thing to be done, L
reckon" he said, after a long silence.
you're satisfied with the plan, amt
youl"
"oh, yes"
"Well. then, you fix the cuts; short one
an long one, an I'll try my luck on the
draw"
Tom set to work, slowly and thoughtfully,
and. after considerable delay, held up the
two twigs for Josh to choose between.
"Wen,n SAID Josh, as he put forth rather
nervous hand, there goesl l don't wish
you emmy harm, pard, but hope III get the
long one"
You don't, thought" cried Tom, tri-
umphantly, casting the remaining stuck to
the ground. you've got the short one and
Josef
Hold onl What are you throwing that
cut away for, afore l see it? Bet yer life,
Pm goin' to compare them sticks afore |
give in ]" exclaimed Josh.
"Oh, We'll" said Tom, impatiently,
"here's the stick throwed down, an you
see it's half an inch the longest"
mo YOU don't, Tom Willis,n cried Josh.
"That amt the one you flung away. Here
it is. an it's shorter'n mine by big oddsP'
"Bahl you can't comeit over me like that,
Josh FIeldsl'' returned the other, hotly. "Id
Oe q HAN IL l. Wal NOui dA hOo u y W SASoEA
out o. the thing IN that way!"
See here, Tom," said Josh, "may be you
didn't mean to trick me; but you're wrong,
Jest the same. III tell you how l know it:
When was fingerin' the two cuts afore l
arawed one out, creased the other one
with my thumb nail, SOS I'd know it agin.
Well, here's the mark on the short stick,
which proves my side of the case.'-
l,n
inc over with anger. ''You haint the sand
TO acknowledge you're beat, an yere tryIn'
@ sneakir' game on meln
You talk like 'tarnal foolr' blurted
Josh, also losing his temper. You tried
robbin' game y'self, an now, when you're
caught at il, you SQUEAK
"Liar!' Kissed Tom Selling hand drill
tying at his feet, and raising it, menacingly,
over his partners head. Say that again
an, pard or no pard, III brain ye!"
"Well, you did, an you know itl You
hadn't the nerve to-
The sentence was never finished; for, at
that instant, the drill descended, with a
crash. upon Josh's head and he fell like a
log 10 the ground.
For moment Tom, frenzied with rage,
stood over the PROSTATE form, an almost
devlish glitter lighting up his coal-black
eyes, but presently sudden change took
possession Of him.
Ny God A mightyr' gasped he, his eyes
riveted in horror upon the white upturned
face and CORY locks of his victim. Il have
killed himl l have murdered my pard! Oh,
how could l do it-how could / forget m'self
an do such an orful Geedv'
A new thought seemed to force its way
into his perturbed mind ut this juncture-a
consciousness of his perii-aud he cast a
furtive glance around him
II must not be caught here" muttered
he. cor nv lie won't be with a burnt
matchi must get away-but wherel"
He thought moment and then resumed
his distracted soiloquy:
No: 'twon't do TO leave, for that would
only convince 'en o. my guilt, an a posed
be after me in no time. I'm in desp'rit
bad fix. that's sure, an I'll have 70 cover UP
all the traces o the crime, an say Josh has
skipped"
After another searching glance about, TO
make sure that his movements were not
beng watched, he stopped down, lifted the
limp form into his arms, and then SUNK
away with his burden toward an unused
part Of the mine.
BE paused, moment later, at the brink of
an old, abandoned shaft, and. after once
more looking anu listening, dropped the
body into the murky pit
A splash. as the burden struck the stag
nant water at the bottom of the shaft, was
heard Immediately after, and then, with
bianchcd face and haunted look in his
eyes, Tom stole back TO where the deed had
been committed.
IN go back TO the place after dark"
muttered he TO himself, "aud III the Old
shaft up with tallns and rock. No one will