Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-07

In the early fall of the year mentioned,
while soiourning at Manitou, COL, after
q tollsoue 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. I have a mass OF testt-
mony to take in the Irving mine case and
wish 1t done In shorthand. Do not dis
appoint me. Witnesses summoned for
the Sth. B. H. GRAHAM
knew Graham and knew the case,
and reluctant as 1 felt to forego the
pleasure of further stay in my cool re-
treat, 1 did not care to decline an en-
ployment which / knew would be so
lucrative. l decided TO go to Bent's
mines, wherever they might be, and
take the testimony rs my friend re-
quested. l was not long in making my
arrangements for the trip 1t was merely
the matter of a change of linen and q
few note books; a single sa.chel con-
tanned them all and thus, in the lightest
of marching order, L embarked upon the
first train for my destination, arriving at
Santa Rosetta quite early the next
morning.
Santa Rosetta wss u station scarcely as
imposing as its name. A few houses,
water tank and numerous sidings made
up the place. But 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.
HYou cannot go to the mines, old fell
low - he said after our greeting and the
exchange of the numerous questions and
answers which finally resulted in the un-
folding of my business. ''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 Gulch and to warn the settlers to the
south. There is not a horse TO be had in
the town, and If there were the owner
would hardly let it for so imprudent q
Journey
"But what am to do?' inquired.
ssI shall have had my trip for nothing
unless [ reach Bent's mines by to-mor-
row, and don t care to either miss my
business or disappoint my friend. -
"Sorry - he said, with a shake of the
head 'sbut am afraid it Is impossible.
You must content yourself with my COM
pany until the trip is safe. We have
photographed for the soldiers, and troop
will come in shortly. They might con-
vey you over. Their route will lie in
that direction.
~ can't watt 1 replied, annoyed at
the idea of such q delay. ''Wheu Graz
ham sent for me he felt certain 1 would
come. He shall find that 1 will do SO.
I'm not to be deferred by foolish
alarm about Indians. Doubtless there
are none of the reservation.
Delmer smiled.
az remember yonr rashness. 4" he said,
ssand 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.
6And when will the men return?'
"In the morning probably, but they
| will be wearIed. Your best chance will
| be the soldiers.
'.Then 1 will walk - replied with
determination. ''Fifty-thres miles 10
not distance to frighten a muscular fell
| low like me, and IL you will lend me that
excellent Winchester that see beside
your desk. shall be quite capable OF
protecting myself.
s'You are not In earnest?'' he asked.
"Indeed am, >" was my reply. az
| shall start st once, but VIII stop over on
my return. long enough to talk over old