Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-06-06

GW1nkl1ng loGS QdyISnG luUO Uno OUner De-
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 simplicitas optima est is a
factor of vital import "down 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 I'M
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 a 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
was an absorbed, far away look in his steel
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 and happiness of his
home.
Presently he arrived at and entered the
banking house Of Page, Bacon & Co. With
d quick nod by way of salutation, he strobe
on into the cashiers room, drew out an old
pocketbook, took from it and threw on the
table a draft from their branch banking
house in California.
81 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 Endorsed in a rough but muscular hand
with the name of ''Allan Brayton." Then
he spoke few words to clerk at a desk
near by Books were opened, a name noted,
and ''All right, SIR was returned by the ex-
aminer.
eyes" said the cashier, eve 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 your
A look of dull mystifcation came into the
mans face, and in slow, vague, question
ing voice he repeated, ''I-den-ti-fy2 don't
know what you mean"
81 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, 1.-THE grand form dilated and the
blue eyes blazed-'sir, what do you take me
fora thief?"
''Oh, no; you don't understand"
''Sir, I tell you Pm a squar man. Five
years ago I went to the mines to make sum-
thin, if could. moseyed round till found
a pocket. 1t did not pan out very rich; but
l worked and saved till got enough to keep
the wife and chicks decent, and then 1 tell
you I was glad enough to get out of that
murderin' crowd, and l had to dig out very
quiet, too, just as if had particular bizness
round the corner 1 took my pile to your
which they said was as good as the money
when I showed it to you. Now all want
you to do Is to give me my money"
but just listen, said the cashier earnestly.
I'VE must take the precaution to have you
identified, for your sake as well as for ours.
See, now, a great many merchants come here
to buy goods to sell at the mines; 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 and say so9"
''Look here, mister answered the miner,
with hazy, wistful smile, and pathetic shake
of the head, II came into this town last night.
looked round for some face had seen be-
fore. for felt lonesome. hadn't friend.
Why, felt SO bad I'd been glad to meet
some of those old coons who used to tell us
blood and thunder stories in Alligator gulch,
tho knew they were lies every one of them.
And coming here this morning, looked at
every man met, but they were all strangers;
amt man in the hull place that would cot
ton to me worth cent. Now, you just look
a-here," he continued, coaxingly, ''don't you
go to bein' a contrary, panned out old set
tier, but just let me have my dust. My wife
and my two little kids are waiting for me.
They don't want no Identifying of me; they
never hearn of SIGH thing l amt got to be
withered old man of daddy in these five
years. I'm just the same as were; so now,
just you give me that money, an let me drift
along"
'How am l to make you understands
said the perplexed cashier. "See here, my
friend, We'll suppose case Suppose away
in those mining regions, where mans life
naruIy worth snap of the fingers, some
drunken, quarrelsome wretch had killed you,
and assuming your name with your money
he had got the draft from our house in San
Francisco and came here to have it cashed.
Suppose we believed him and cashed the
draft. Afterward it was discovered that
you have been murdered, and the wretch
who killed you has disappeared with your
money Your poor wife and children to
whom it would rightfully belong are in great
want, and the reason she has lost it is that
we neglected to make sure that it really was
her husband and their father who had come
with the draft. Don't you see that for your
sake and their sakes we must know that you
are the man you represent yourself to bes"
At this point the good cashier laid one
hand kindly on the miners arm, and rested
the other on his shoulder, the more strongly
to impress his words.
"But, in the name of Caesar" said the dis
couraged miner, show am ever to git home9
Look a-here. stranger, I've given you plain
statement Of all wool facts about myself, Pm
Allan Brayton Pm no murderer! Why,
my young ones'd know me in a minute
They'd come runnin' and singin' up to me SO
sweet and clipper that the birds would stop
and listen: blamed if they wouldn'tli' and a
choke cams In his voice; land my wife, tell
you"-and the CHOKE desgeGed into dry sob
my wife, if she seed me hundFeti yards
off, why, she'd fly down to me light as snow
flake on an oak bough. Dash! you mought
knock sne down with a straw. If can't git
home, I mought as well slam my pistol to my
head and yank the trigger. 1'heb'n fx it; !
reckon. No one else will come and say he Is
Allan Brayton, and you can just tote that
money on to my wife, and say I'm dead"
''Oh, nonssnsel Cheer up" cried the cash
Ter, who was feeling little chqky himself
Nonsense! Some one must come along in a
day or two who will know you; or. suppose
you send for your wife to come here"
'How can II Every cent is locked up in
that draft. and it won't pay no diyidsnds.