Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-03

In the early fall of the year mentioned,
while sojourning at Manitou, Col. after
toIlsoue year in the courts, enjoying
my well earned rest ana rambling
through the picturesque surroundings in
the shadow of the famous Pixies Peak,
my prospects for further recreation were
broken by the reception of the following
telegram:
'SoCoRRo, n. M.-Coms at once to
Bent's mines via the Santa Fe road to
Santa Rosetta. 1 have a mass of testi-
monY to take in the Irving mine case and
wish it done In shorthand. Do not dis
appoint me. Witnesses summoned for
the Sth. B. H. GRAHAM.
L knew Graham and knew the case,
and reluctant as I felt to forego the
pleasure of a further stay in my cool re-
treat, 1 did not care to decline an en-
ployment which / knew would be so
lucrative. 1 decided TO go to Bent's
mines, wherever they might be, and
take the testimony as my friend re-
quested. / was not long in making my
arrangements for the trip. 1t was merely
the matter of change of linen and
few note books; a single satchel con-
tanned them all and thus, in the Iightest
of marching order, l embarked upon the
first train for my destination, arriving at
SAutb hoSSLlh Qulte carry LuS usAL
morning.
Santa Rosetta was q station scarcely as
imposing as its name. A few houses, IL
water tank and numerous sidings made
up the place. But L was struck by the
suggestive number of empty freight cars,
for the place was an extensive shipping
point for ores sent from the mines, To-
Gated in the mountains miles away, but
plainly visible from the station in the
rare atmosphere of that most charming
region.
Here to my pleasure and surprise dis
covered in the station agent an old col
lege friend, Frank Delmer by name, who
several years before had gone to that
vast country called the West, and whose
whereabouts had since been lost to me.
"You cannot go to the mines, old fell
iow,' he said after our greeting and the
exchange of the numerous questions aud
answers which finally resulted in the IN
folding of my business. 1.-THE Apaches
are UP and the trip would be dangerous
in the extreme. Most OF the men are
gone to bury some ranchers killed IN Lit
tie Guleh and to warn the settlers to the
south. There is not horse to be had in
the town, and If there were the owner
would hardly let 1t for so imprudent
journey"
"But what am 1 to do?'' inquired.
''I shall have had my trip for nothing
unless 1 reach Bent's mines by to-mor-
row, and don t care to either miss my
business or dissppoint my friend.''
s'Sorry,'' he said. with a shake of the
head, "but am afraid it is impossible.
You must content yourself with my COM
pany until the trip Is safe. We have
telegraphed for the soldiers, and q troop
will come in shortly. They might con-
vey you over. Their route will lie in
that direction.
~ can't wait, " replied, annoyed at
the idea of such delay. ''When Gra-
ham sent for me he felt certain would
come. He shall find that 1 will do so.
I'm not to be deferred by a foolish
alarm about Indians. Doubtless there
are none off the reservation. -
Delmer smiled.
81 remember your rashness, +" he said,
"and deem you fully capable of at
tempting the trip. Fortunately, there is
no conveyance, and you will have to
await the arrival of the soldiers or the
return of the men.
land when will the men return?''
elm the morning probably, but they
will be wearled. Your best chance will
be the soldiers.
"Then 1 will walk - 1 replied with
determination. ''Fifty-three miles Is
not distance to brighten muscular fell
low like me, and if you will lend me that
excellent Winchester that l see beside
your desk, l shall be quite capable OF
protecting myself
''You are not in earnest?' he asked.
'Indeed l am, - was my reply. az
shall start at once, but will stop over on
my return. long enough to talk over old