The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-09-09
IN SCORPION CREVASSE.

Late afternoon in the Mexican Cor
dilleras, and soft breeze slightly
rustling the dead leaves.
Two men were seated on powders,
half way up snow-crowned peak. Be-
hind them yawned great, open seam
five yards wide, thousand feet long,
and apparently fathomless, it looked
SO black and deep.
One was an old man, with grey hail
and beard, somewhat stopped under
the weight of age or sorrow. The
other, perhaps thirty years younger
was also full-bearded. Both were sun.
Drowned, and both were dressed and
armed after the manner of prospect.
ors.
They have been sitting there since
noon-grave, silent, watchful.
When it lacked an hour of sunset
they saw a Mexican and man in city
garb coming up toward them out Of
the valley.
my, son. was Pedro rightP" asked
the elder watcher.
''Yes, father"
Nothing more was said till the new
comers were at hand.
Pardon, senors, for being late,
said the Mexican. IAN accident tt
our horses delayed us. Senor Perry,
Senior Gault, the gentleman with me i:
Senor Horton, of whom told you."
Glad to meet you, gentlemen" said
Horton, blandly; it is a great pleasure
l assure you, to know the owners Of
such wonderful mine as Pedro tells
me you have"
II think you will find it wonderful
mine,", answered Perry, the Oldest oi
the two prospectors.
when can I see it and what is your
priceP''
You can see it at once. The price
we will arrange afterward."
There was something IN the speak
er's voice which disturbed Horton
Without betraying himself he managed
to observe closely the faces of both
Perry and Gault, but saw nothing
about either to alarm him. Pshaw!-he
was fool to think of the past
DO you represent stock company,
Mr.. Horton, or are you Investigating
on your own account?" asked Gault.
Purely on my own account.
Then you are to be congratulated
ours is such peculiarly rich mine. ,
sWhere is itP''
Just back of you. That crevasse
is the entrance to it."
Horton stepped to the brink of the
chasm and peered down into the black
silence beneath him. To look for the
bottom was useless. He could only
make out the opposite wall, forty OF
fifty feet down, so soon was its Jagged
face obscured by the abysmal gloom.
Not an inviting spot" he remarked,
with a slight return of his former
bland smile.
No" assented Gault, ''but we can't
always judge by appearances. It is
not as deap as it seems. I'll throw this
stone down. Listen"
It was but few seconds before it
struck bottom. awakening slight
echoes which dwindled into a faint
Kissing, rustling sound, Immediately
followed by pungent perceptible odor.
''What smells SOP" asked Horton,
shifting the air OF the edge of the
crevasse.
Il smell nothing" answered Gault.
':What is it like?n
s'Vermin-or. rather, insects. That
is it-insects. What can it be? Where's
PedroP Have you ever been down
there, Pedro?"
But Pedro did not answer. He had
disappeared.
s'Why, where's the greaser?n de-
manded his recent companion.
He may have gone on to my cabin,
half mile around that bluff ahead OF
u.s." suggested Perry, who now came
| close to Horton; "but never mind him.
There are far more important matters
to consider. Are you prepared to pay
| a high price for this miner"
"Yes, if 1 find it to my liking
Pedro could have told you that"
Pedro told us. duly; but it is al
ways satisfactory to have such matter!
from first hands. Pardon my inquisi
tiveness, but are your funds regularly
banked in Mexico, subject to YOU
order?"
Certainly. What singular ques
| tion."
"Impertinent, too, perhaps; but it il
the fault of the country. This is not :
respect-producing climate. Apollo
| gizing in advance, beg to ruff1e you
dignity with one question more. L;
your money deposited in your owl
name, or in the name you have as
sumed?"
Horton uttered an exclamation o
surprise and made a sudden move
ment forward which would have pre-
cipitated him into the -crevasse had no
Garlt put out saving hand. saying
'.Not yeti" as he did SO.
.Mr. Perry, you insult me" ex
claimed Horton, wrathfully. ''HoN
dare Won insinuate that mine is an as
sumed namep"
II don't insinuate-I assert. You
name is not Horton any more tina
mine is Perry"
stWho the devil are you. then?"
"It is useless to mention names
You will probably recall mine when
tell you that it was my daughter whor
Won led from life of honor and har
Diness to a brief season of shame-an
then, death!-more than twenty year
ago" -,
The man turned livid-irst with feal
then with anger.
SHANE? Humph! She owed to m
the sole happiness of her life-tied, &
she was. to a clod without the brain
to appreciate her.'
"Gault touched his arm.
81 was that clod," he said throug
set teeth. II was her nusDanu-
The accused mans face flushed an
paled alternately, and dazed glal
came into his eyes.
''Why am / hereP" he inquire
feebly, after brief silence.
The others exchanged glances.
He wants to know why he is her
Tell him. father" said the young maj
passionately.
You are here for a slight thing
for very slight thing; merely to a
swer for your crimes to those wi
have a RIGHT to vengeance. 1t is vel