The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-12-19
A STROKE OF LIGHTNING

welcome, stranger. Can you take
pot luck with US? Hi, Jim, bring another
plate for the gentleman. Just picket
your hoss, sir, and make yourself at
home. This is Cap'n Wilson; his brother
Dan; my name is Holt. The boys gem
orally calls me 'Guvner,' cause the gov
ernor of this state is named Holt too
no relation to me though. Elliott, Vic
tor Elliott, did you say the name was?
Glad to see you. This venison is good;
pitch in and help yourself; we've lust
got through"
Such was the greeting received one
autumnal evening back in the Seventies
by lone horseman who rode up to the
camp of an engineering party of the Rio
Grande railway in Colorado. AS the
stranger sat eating his supper, thorough
ly at ease with the men he had never
even heard of an hour before, the others
watched him curiously, wondering who
he might be, and his destination-where
it could be.
Fine looking fellow he was, too, about
thirty-five years old, with a well knit
figure, piercing black eyes, hair the
same color, curly as a childs, strong
white teeth that cleaned through his
mustache, and a lazy, good natured,
gentlemanly air that made friends for
him SO easily. His hands especially at
tracted their attention. They were as
white, the nails as neatly trimmed, as
woman's. He ate on, unconscious of
their glances, until his appetite was ap-
peased, then stretched himself face
downward on the ground watching the
fire and talking with the others.
Ca@l
Isn't she beauty? She came from New
Mexico. was down there at round
up several years ago. Must have been
300 head of horses at the corrals. As
stood idly watching the work saw a
horse vault into the air, clearing an
eight foot fence at bound, and was off
like the wind. Far out on the prairie
the vaqueros captured her and brought
her in. This is the mare. She was too
neat and pretty to be branded, and
bought her for 800 in gold. She ought
to be tired, for I've ridden her hard to-
day"
AS he finished speaking he gave a low,
peculiar whistle and the mare whinnied
in return, perfect picture as she stood
outlined against the foothills.
NoOOA Oil buC 111CA were WTdDD6u
their blankets, feet to the fire, and fast
asleep-all but one. That one was Elliott.
The glowing embers, now and again
emitting crackle and spark as bit of
resin caught fire, pleased his fancy as he
lay watching them, his thoughts miles
away. He seemed again playing poker
in the gambling hell in Bluffville with
stacks of chips in front of him, and their
IfanSicaI f,IiTair 1-o11tr II, bic oo,.S
"What great luck did have in that
jack pot, standing all the raises on a
pair of jacks, but when I drew in two
more in my three card draw against
those pat hands, felt easier. Guess 1
cleared five thousand on the afternoon
game. Lucky for me cashed in and
went to supper. 1 was only in a few
hundred when that row came up"
He felt of his belt. Yes, the money
was safe, strapped around his waist un-
der his shirt.
81 wonder if that fellows dead vet.
The contemplate cheat Thought he
could deal second card on us, did he?
Well, it didn't work. Wonder who fred
that shot. When the light went out
felt pretty squeamish. He spoke my
name; heard it plainly just as went
ont the door, but didn't stop; didn't
have time; too warm around those dig
gings just then. Wonder if those bull
let's went through the roof. 1t helped to
increase the confusion, and didn't want
any sheriff's party in that room, not any.
Awkward, my dropping that pistol
Wish had it back again, for I've car
ried 1T so many years. Wonder if I'll
find Mollie over at that railroad town.
She was to have reached there yester-
day, and I'm late, but guess she'll wait.
How sleepy I ami Dear old Moll''-
And he slept the sleep that only outdoor
exercise can give.
Early dawn found the party break
tasted, and Elliott, bidding his hosts
goodby, started once more on the trail
to that lonely mountain village where
the railroad should bring his loved one
to him.
Busy with their plans and the repair
of their surveying instruments for the
days use, the engineering party did not
notice the approach of a band of men
whose sudden appearance startled them
an hour later. There were seven of them,
armed to the teeth with rifles, revolvers
and bowie knives and laden only with
the camp equipage of short journey.
The leader courteously inquired if they
had seen a tall, dark man dressed in a
corduroy suit. The description fitted
Elliott SO exactly that the newcomers
soon elected the desired information and
started on up the valley, simply vouch-
safng the information that the gentle
man had gone on ahead of them and
they wished to overtake him.
Riding at a slow, easy lope away from
the camp where he had spent the night