The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-18

building decided upon); the new univer
sity of Grand Junction Ito be ereoted) and
other buildings.
The letter informed Mr.. Baxter that Col,
Williamson was greatly pleased with the
letter from said gentleman and requested
him to wire Immediately when he would
start. There we're already forty-two appli-
cants for the place, but MI. Baxter's letter
had received the preference. The salary
could be adjusted after his arrival. He
would be expected to write the heavy edi-
torials and direct the general news service
of the paper and write up the amusements.
It was a very responsible position and
would require at least five hours work a
day. The colonel added that he would
have sent transportation except that he was
making an independent fight against the
railroad corporations of the country and
could not afford to accept favors from these
companies.
The matter of closing details WAS quickly
arranged and Henry, after borrowing two
and three dollars each from a sufficient
number of friends, bought a ticket to the
wild and woody western town. We all went
down to the depot to see him off and left
him waving his handkerchief on the rear
platform and yelling that when he came to
the old town again he would arrive. in q big
special car.
We now reach the other faded and yellow
letter in the collection which 7 received
about a week after his arrival. As I once
more translate the rather nervous chirog-
raphy l read:
GRAND JUNCTION, owHER COUNTY, !
NOWHERE, Sept. l, 1882. :
Dear Old Friend: Do you think you can raise
money enough to get me back home. There is
no thinking about it. You must do it. Do any
thing to make this. Start q public subscription.
get up a school benefit. l only want money
enough to pay my fare, and | can get along with
GUS eating for a few days. / have been reserving
a razor for three days to cut my throat as the last
resort. and if you love me yon will wire on re-
ceipt of this.
l came as far Ms the train would carry me a
week ago. Then l tramped five miles through
the woods to this town. l was told by the ticket
agent that l would know the place by the city
hall spire. What liars there are in this world!
/ tramp0d on and on. until | passed a little
bunch Of Lighthouses and a few tents. and had
walked a few miles beyond, when ] found a lumber
man ana inquired the way to Grand Junction, and
he told me / had passed throughth place a short
Clme peIOr0 l went Dack, anu after u rev IN
quiries. was directed to the office of the Grand
Junction Pioneer and Farmers Friend. 1t was
an old army tent. Heartsore and sick. l asked q
tough-looking man, who was setting type. whore
Col. Williamson was, and he replied that he was
the colonel. and asked If / had any chewing to-
bacco with me. l told him my name, and no
told me to go to work, pointing to a hoe in one
corner of the room and a potato patch which
could be seen through a window in the rear. He
said It was just as we'll for beginners to begin at
the bottom of the ladder. / worked until six
o'clock because l wanted no trouble, and then
came in the shop and volunteered to write n col
nmn editorial on Social Evils Of the Day" He
laughed at me in a brutal way, and told me to go
down the road to the first saloon and ask the
bartender why he had not sent up that pitcher of
beer to pay for tho personal in last weeks
paper. l returned, and as it was then nine
O'Clock he handed me an old blanket and a
bunch OF old papers for u pillow and t. Id me to
no to bed in tho corner OF the Office. / retired
too discouraged to discuss matters. The next
morning ] mentioned tho matter of salary, and he
told me he would pay $1.5G n week, and raise il to
81. ~ at the end Of tho year If my services were
satisfactory. Yesterday he taught me to play
draw poker, and won all the money | had, $40
Allegation. My week being up yesterday, I told
him ia quit, and asked for my pay. He "a d
the price OF the paper was two dollars a year.
and he would give mo a years subscription and
call matters square.
Let me hear from you ut once,
HENRY BAxrEA.