Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-25
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 gen.
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 just
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
lv 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-fve years old, with well knit
figure, piercing black eyes, hair the
same color, curly as child's, 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 a
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.
Said he: "See my mare over there?
Isn't she beauty? She came from New
Mexico. / was down there at round
up several years ago. Must have been
800 head of horses at the corrals. AS l
stood idly watching the work saw a
horse vault into the air, clearing an
eight foot fence at a 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 500 in gold. She ought
to be tired, for I've ridden her hard to-
day."
As he finished speaking he gave low,
peculiar whistle and the mare whinnied
in return, a perfect picture as she stood
with name and tail flying in the breezes,
outlined against the foothills.
Soon all the men were wrapped in
their blankets, feet to the fire, and fast
asleep-all but oDe. That one was Elliott.
The glowing e1nbers, now and again
emitting q crackle and spark as a 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
musical clinl rang in his ears.
"What great luck did have in that
jack pot, standing all the raises on
pair of jacks, but when l drew in two
more in my three card draw against
those pat hands, felt easier. Guess
cleared five thousand on the afternoon
game. Lucky for me cashed in and
went to supper. l was only in few
hundred when that row came up"
He felt of his belt. Yes, the money
was safe, strapped around his waist I'M
der his shirt
81 wonder if that fellows dead yet.
The contemplate cheat. Thought he
could deal second card on us, did he?
Well, it didn't work. Wonder who fired
that shot. When the light went out l
felt pretty squeamish. He spoke my
name; heard it plainly just as went
out the door, but l didn't stop; L 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 i'll that room, not any.
Awkward, my dropping that pistol.
Wish I had it back again, for I've car
ried it 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 / am! Dear old MolF'-
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
10 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 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 courGeously inquired if they
had seen 81 tall, dark man dressed in
corduroy suit The description fitted
Elliott so exactly that the newcomers
soon elected the desired informationhnd
started on up the valley, simply vouch-
saiing the information that the gentle
man had gone on ahead of them and
theJ- wished to oycctake him.
Riding at a slow, easy lope away from
the camp where he had spent the night
and been sc Hospitality entertained. Eli
OFT felt the exhilaration Of the fresh
mountain air and quickened his horses
pace to gallop. The mare caught the
bit in her teeth and away they went,
faster and faster Thus it was that the
party riding over the same track, handi-