Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-07-18
B E n E L A B E n.
BY STEPHEN B. ROSS.

|
with my young friend, Sam Parker, l
suddenly inquired:
Who is that slender, dark-eyed youth,
crossing the street on our left?'
what! Don't know Benela Benz" ex-
claimed my companion, in evident as
constituent.
confessed that suchwas the case, and
expressed my willingness TO learn some
thing of the handsome young fellow who
had just passed.
well, here we are at the office. Walk
in, and I'll tell you how the youth who
SO quickly attracted your attention came
by his name.
ut was in March, 1889, that the mer-
chants of this place, and all the farmers
for miles around resolved to sell their
cotton.
They had held it all winter for better
prices, and. now that the rise had come,
general feeling of good cheer pervaded
town and country.
There were many who had lived very
close for months, depriving themselves
of every luxury that they might hold
their crops; and then, just as the knowl-
edge that they must sell was forced upon
them by pressing need, prices went up
like a fash
up the river, and for three days all was
hard work and confusion.
Then, on the evening of the third day,
as the last boat, heavily loaded with the
heecy staple, was preparing to leave, the
committee of merchants appointed to
conduct the sale were called into the
cabin and paid $4,000.
The money was to be given to those
to whom it belonged the following dav,
and farmers from miles around were ex-
| pected in Benela, with their laborers,
early in the morning, as it was well
known the latter class had been clamor-
ing for a settlement for the past several
months.
Although the amount paid into their
hands was enormous and the salvation
of the entire county depended upon its
safe keeping, the thought that robbery
might be attempted that night never oc-
CURED to the committee; and after some
discussion, it was decided that Maio
Garvin. the chairman, should deposit it
IN his great safe until the hour for dis
tribution arrived.
Ben Gilmore, Major Garvin's book
keeper, invariably slept in the small
room back of the store where the safe
stood, and after the money had been de-
said:
ben, as matter of precaution, we
have changed the combination to "Ben-
ella, and as you will have to open the
safe at closing time, you will please re-
member the new combination
"'Yes, sirP answered the youth.
And as he glanced up from his books,
he observed tall well built man, ap-
parently about 40 years of age, standing
Immediately in front of the door directly
behind his employer.
- half concealed expression of tri-
umph shone in the fellows eyes, but
quickly noting the inquiring look of the
young bookkeeper he walked away
WHO can that be ? asked Major Gar
vim, turning just in time to catch a
glimpse of the retreating figure.
His name is Rose, so he informed
me, answered Mr.. Ford, member of the
committee.
And glad of an opportunity to satisfy
the curiosity of his companions, be con-
tinued:
"'This Mr.. Rose and his two friends
came in yesterday, and have spent the
time since their arrival in looking at
some of the timber lands in this locality
They contemplate purchasing several
thousand acres, and intend erecting a
monster sawmill on the river few miles
below
After few comments on the new
enterprise, the committee of merchants
adjourned to their homes, and Gilmore
was left alone with his ledgers.
The office stood some IS feet back
from the store, with narrow hallway
connecting the two, and when the clerks
had ha nHn6 m tbait lie
turned to their own sleeping rooms in
the rear of the larger building, Ben knew
he would see no more of them until
morning.
After depositing the receipts for the
day in the safe. he closed it, and, draw
ing his chair near the fire, attempted to
read
1T was useless, however, as the cum
ming face of the man who had glanced
in while the committee were present
kept passing through his mind.
He evidently heard Major Garviu
mention the combination unused Ben. as
the mans face once more appeared to
stare at him from the paper he was read
ing.
Then, after a few moments silence,
he muttered:
"'Starvation and untold misery would
be the portion of these people were that
money stolen. l am going to change the
combination again
With that he left his seat, and walking
to the huge safe, knelt before it.
Just as he completed his task, and was
about to rise, cold draught of wind
famed his cheeks, and he turned toward
the door with the knowledge that it was
open.
Three masked men stood just inside
the room, and three deadly revolvers
covered the bookkeePer's heart.
Throw up your handsr commanded
the taller of them, who was evidently the
leader.
Slowly Ben's hands wentup, and then
the tall man spoke again:
Rube, you can keep the youngster
covered whileI manipulate the combine
For a few moments the man worked
at the safe in silence, and then, suddenly
springing to his feet, knocked young Gill
more senseless.