The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-10
IDENTIFIED.

steel, which yet on occasion could melt with
sweet, sunshiny beams A tangle of red
bronze hair was brushed back from his fore
head, and long, thick, silky, curling beard,
parted in the middle, was blown hither and
thlther by the breeze as be walked.
miner from Pixies Peak Like all miners.
he wore the regulation red flannel shirt and
broad brimmed hat, tucked mis- pantaloons
into his strong, high boots, and was heavily
armed, not only against the wolves. rat
tlesnakes and grizzlies of thC desert and
mountains, but against the fiercer and more
dangerous animals Of mis- own species.
As, by stress of circumstances, every man
| In mining country is ION the shoot, :" it
| necessarily comes to pass, in this pernicious
state of things, that 70 obtain from his neigh
bors high estimation Of his moral and physi-
cal virtues a man and miner must dictate
his opinion out of his revolver Situations
constantly arise for imminent and instant
use Of this persuader; and however much the
pious-if there were any of that sort-might
trust in the Lord, they one and all took
lust as much care TO keep their powder
dry'' and their bullets forthcoming
Among miners from every state, all quick
witted and alert, the Texans hold a proud
! pre-eminence in the astonishing readiness and
| dash with which they handle their shooting
| irons They have closely studied the matter,
and have so siInplifed ways and means that
| instead Of wearing their pistols in the ordi-
nary way, that is, uncoeked in leather hoist
| ers at the belt, the long headed Texan sus-
! pends his revolver at full cock from steel
| hooks attached to the bolt; the other end of
the hook passes through ring in the stock
| of the weapon. Thus, wbilea gentleman who
| differs in opinion with him is sunbuttoning the
| flap Of his holster, drawing his pistol and
| cooking it, our Texan, with nothing in the
| world to hinder, clutches his revolver and in
twinkling lets daylight into the other be-
| fore he understands what on earth is the mat
ter; but who, perhaps, with the supreme in
tuition given TO some at the last moment,
learns too late that sirpplicitas opana est is a
factor of vital import 'daTn in the mines"
Our "Piker," who was from Missouri, had
caught the Texan trick and more than once
he had owed his life TO his trusty, ready six
shooter; he was now going home TO his fami-
ly with the money which had required un-
ceasing and often desperate efforts to keep,
and to save from many wretch who would
commit murder with pleasure to steal ten
dollars or ten thousand.
The miner arrived safely at San Francisco,
and straightway proceeded to a branch Of
the ST. Louis house of Page, Bacon & Co.,
which house bought his gold dust and gave
him therefor draft on their main banking
establishment in St Louis, at which city he
arrived in due course Of time, late at night.
The next morning man might have been
seen walking with stalwart tread through the
streets of st. Louis, the strong breeze blow
ing his bronze beard over his shoulders. There
IL, L. L Il
blue eyes, an expression pervading his whole
person that he had left the fatal dangers Of
his life behind him forever, and was nearing
the longed for peace ard happiness of his
home.
Presently he arrived at and entered the
banking house of Page, Bacon s. Co With
quick nod by way of salutation, he strods
on into the cashiers room, drew out an old
pocketbook, took from it and threw on the
table a drt--t from their branch banking
house in California.
Il want the money for that draft" he said
simply.
The cashier took up the paper, examined it
closely, turned it on its back, and saw that it
was indorsed in a rough but muscular hand
with the name of ALLAN Brayton." Then
he spoke a few words to a clerk at a desk
near by. Books were opened, name noted,
and 'Au right, sir, was returned by the ex-
aminer.
"Yes,n said the cashier "we have had ad-
vices from our house in San Francisco. Your
draft is quite correct, sir, and now all that is
necessary is for some one to identify you
A look of dull mystiication came into the
mans face, and in a slow, vague, question
ing voice be repeated. "I-den-ti-fyf don't
know what you mean"
II mean that some one whom we know,
and you know, must declare that this is your
name on the back of this draft, and that you
are the person who wrote it,"
Sir,n-the grand form dilated and the
blue eyes blazed-''Sir, what do you take me
fora theft"
"Oh, no; you don't understand"
'Sir, / tell you I'm squar man Five
years ago / went to the mines 70 make sum
thin, if l could | moseyed round till found
pocket. 1t did not pan out very rich; but
/ worked and saved till got enough 10 keep
the wife and chicks decent, and then | tell
you l was glad enough 70 get out Of that
murderiu' crowd and l had 10 dig out very
quiet, too, Just as if l had perticular oizness /
round the corner. l took my pile to your
men in Frisco, who gave me that paper, /,
which they said was as good as the money I
when l showed it TO you. Now all l want
you 70 do is 10 give me my money"
But Just listen, - said the cashier earnestly. |
ave must take the pTecaution TO have YOU /
identified, for your sake as well rs for ours 1
Zee, now, a great many merchants come here I
. bry goods to sail q: the r,i=cs; don't you .
think that if you look around little you /
might find some one who had seen you there, !
and who would step in ard say soF
Look here. mister, answered the miner, !
with a hazv vvistful smile, and pathetic snake /
of the head. Il came into this town last night /
looked round for soTss face hsd seen De /
fore. for | felt lonesome. | hadn't friend. /
Why, I felt 50 bad ID been glad 10 meet /
some % those old cOUus who used 70 tell Us .
blood and thunder stories in Alligator gllch, /
tho I knew they were hes every one Of them /
And coming here tajs morning, l looked at /
every man met, but JEey we're al strangers; /
sin's man II the hEl place that would cot
Ton 10 me worth a cent Now, yoG just look 4
a-here, ae continued. coaxing!y. don't YOU .
20 20 beia' q contrary. panned out, cd 81
ter, but Just let me rave nv dust. ~ wife .
and my two little kids are waiting for me .
They don't want TO Identifying ot me; they /
never hearn Of slca a tang ! amt got 70 be .
= withered old man OF a daddy - these FIVE .
years. I'm just tee same as / we're; 80 row,
just you give me that money, az let ne drift .
along"
How an I 70 make you understsndF-
said tie pe-PleIed cashier See hsre, ny 4
friend. Vel suppose case Suppose away 4
IN thsse mining reSioss, where a mans lie
Is LA<dly ws-th S snap q t1e H1EeTSr some
drunken, eUarTeisonle wretch lad Eallsd you,
And assuming your name ws:n yc0r money 4