Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-10-08
BOLIVAR'S BURRO:.

BOLIVAR'S BURRO:
Camp Welcome. Nesting in a pictur-
osque valley in the heart Of the Rocky
mountains was one Of the prettiest
little mining towns in the far west.
Here lived Amos Liddle, a youth
still, but one who knew as much about
mines and mining as many who boast
ed of being '49ers. He was bookkeep-
er and general assistant to his father.
who owned controlling share in the
largest mine In the region--the Idaho.
When Mr.. Liddie was absent from
Camp Welcome the affairs of the mine
were left In the hands OF Amos. who
was 80 trustworthy that there was
never a fear that things would 60
wrong under his management
It was during the fathers absence,
on one OF his occasional visits to an
other mine in which he owned an in
terest. that Amos awoke ono morning
to find himself in trouble.
Bolivar's burro had disappeared
during the night and Bolivar was
clamoring for satisfaction.
Bolivar was big camp roustabout.
OF character so violent that he de-
served the title Of desperate; and his
burro was the most vicious donkey in
those parts. Together they made d
most thoroughgoing pair OF nuisances.
Boliver made his living by hiring
his burro to the Idaho's manager for
use In his tramway. The living was
like tho donkey--pretty poor. perhaps
but still it was living. The burro
was standing joke among the miners.
and Bolivar's devotion to it was in
proportion to his dependence upon it.
The animal was chemically troubled
with inertia to an amazing degree; It
was scrubby and ea-bitten as we'll as
vicious. and altogether an extremely
poor apology for creature with claims
to usefulness.
During the night mentioned this
burro had mysteriously disappeared
from among its fellows in the Liddie
stables. and. a. was to be expected.
Bolivar was in a high state OF excite
ment
Somebody has stole thet beast!'
the big rough declared vehemently.
II don't think So" answered Amos
calmly.
why don't you think sop
We'll. +" said the boy. tits not worth
stealing. II anybody but q lunatic
were going 70 steal . burro he would
not take that animal"
Reliver grated his teeth in rage. :
The thief showed no had good
sense when he took my Solomon" he
averred, stroking his straw-colored
beard dramatically. III he amt stole, ~
lo continued, where IL hep He was
Ia your possession. an tharfOrc you're
responsible for Inn. I" Bolivar exclaimed
loudly. IAN you can't pay me any
too soon. nuther!"
How muchp" asked Amos, smiling
In anticipation Of the reply.
Fifty dollars, eff cent" said Boil
ivar. Then no went on into long
account OF Solomon's virtues.
Fifty cents would be nearer his
valuo" said Amos, land rather than
pay you $50 think we'd better look
around little and see II Solomon
cont be found"
Bolivar was forced to acquiesce in
this decision, though he was mani
testify impatient for the money then
and there.
Where was the burroe Either his
hitch-strap had become united and he
had straycd away or else some one
had taken him.
The truth Of the matter was some
one had taken him. and tho some one
was Bolivar himself.
The willy rough becoming a triile
more destitute than usual, had hit up
on the plan Of stealing Solomon, No.
GREETING him In the mountains. and
then holding the Liddies responsible
for his losA The opportunity seemed
especially favorable when Mr.. Liddie
was away, for he hoped to brighten
Amos out Of = large sum.
That day Amos devoted all the time
that he could spare from his regular
duties to searching for the missing
burro. Bolivar searched also. or
made pretense Of doing 90.
But Solomon was not to be found.
Toward the close OF the afternoon
Amos had occasion to 70 up the tram
way to tho mine, and having accom-
plished his errand was starting on his
return to the valley.
The mode OF descent was not the same
as that OF going up. The burros that
pulled the cars up were not needed in
going down. and were sent back to the
valley BY way Of the Wahsatch canyon;
while the cars were allowed to shoot
down the tramway by their own
weight restrained only by brakes.
Amos had gone down on tho cars
many times. and understood thorough
ly how to handle them. He arranged
himself in comfortable position and
gently loosened the brakes.
In q moment he was spinning along.
the light car swinging swiftly around
the sharp curves. and bits OF white
flashing past where the holes were cut
for light He deitly loosened or tight
cned the brakes ~ the grade rose or
fell and by this means went at
40 ~ nra<A