Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-06-05
OF course he was interested in;her welfare

vestment, to all appearances, seemed to
be safe one. In truth, let it be stated
that the Major was fully convinced OF the
absolute truth of all he uttered.
Mrs. Proudman, after thanking him for
his efforts in her behalf, said that she
would take the matter under considera-
tion and, in all probability, would en-
deavor to secure the stock at.the expira-
ton Of the six weeks.
This information so elated the Major
that he could scarcely'contain himself for
joy, and uttering few unintelligible
words made his departure. He already
fancied himself the husband of Mrs.
Proudman, rolling in riches, four meals
per day, and spanking team OF road
sters to engage his leisureimoments.
Shortly after he left the widows home,
Mr.. Spindle and Eliza returned from their
stroll. Eliza scampered away to her
room and Mr.. Spindle had the field to
himself. Mrs. Proudman had great faith
in him and took him into herconfdence.
Mr.. Spindle was, to say the least, con-
servative and held mining companies in
much the same light as he did Satan; !;
but he listened attentively-
"Mrs. Proudman," said he after long
pause, during which he was working out
a distance table'in his mind, ~ would
advise you to go,slow in the matter. Our
friend, the Major, is visionary. 1 am
going away in the'morning, and will be
absent at least five.weeks. Do not pur-
chase any stock in the Gold Trust Min
ing Company until you have heard from
me-"
"Where are you goingffinquired Mrs.
Proudman anxiously.
.Do not press me now for an answer;
simply await advice fromme."
Mrs. Proudman agreed to this and
early the next morning Mr.. Spindle ap-
peared at the railway station, and TAX
ing the ticket agent, an old friend, into
his confidence, purchased q ticket to
(not even the agent could tell
and was miles from Middledield before
the gallant Major Scentpenny was astir.
The Gold Trust Mining Companys
plant was located not many,miles from
Silverton, COL, away up mountain
above the timber line. A half dozen
men, under the direction of'the Superin-
tendent, Mr.. Poss, were engaged in dig
ging into the mountain side. Vague ru-
mors of rich finds in this mine were cir
culating in neighboring camps, and the
statements of the men working the
mine, as we'll as the elaborate articles
that appeared from time to time in the
mining journals, created a great interest
in the hamlets located in the immediate
vicinity.
Bright and early one morning Mr..
Poss noticed man climbing the mount
ain. The stranger stopped when half
way up, and seating himself on bowl
der, lighted cigar and began to read
book that he carried under his arm. Mr..
Poss paid no heed to this until tho fol-
lowing morning, when the stranger ap-
peared at about the same time and re-
peated the ceremony. Morning after
morning this individual climbed the
mountain, each succeeding twenty-four
hours finding him nearer the mine, until
at last he found himself within a short
distance of where Mr.. Poss and his men
were working.
The s'visitor," as the men termed
him, had bad cough and evidently re-
allied that his days were numbered. He
excused himself for intruding and passed
fragrant cigars around among the men,
which act made him q welcome guest at
the cabin where he took lunch with the
miners.
One morning Mr.. Poss ventured into a
conversation with him., and learned that
he was an invalid who had been ordered
to spend the season among the mountains
of Colorado. He was wealthy, disinter-
ested in mining, and claimed the State
of Maine as his home. Mr.. Poss took
kindly to him and gave him a complete
history of the .'Gold Trust Company"
as an agument that any man with small
capital, some pluck and hardened con-
science, could grow rich rapidly In the
mining business.
In substance the history was this: The
company had been organized by one Mr..
Sharpfils and himself. Mr.. Sharpfile was
in the East selling stock on the strength
of s. lot of fine samples from the big
mines OF Cno DCaLe. nc, MI. oSSs WoAhoo
the other end-the mines. They had
located several mines, but were working
one only. The ore was poor, but they
had the mine ''salted" in case any inves-
tors desird to inspect 1t. In the event
of such an occurrence, rich ore would
be found at every turn. Mr.. Sharpile
was meeting with great success in dis
posing of his artisticallly designed stock
certificates, aud both would retire from
the company in the course Of few
weeks.
The stranger took fit of coughing and
excused himself for the balance of the
day. He was missed on the following
morning, and when week elapsed and
he did not appear, Mr.. Poss concluded
that the cough had finished him.
The following copies of kilograms re-
ceived and answered by Mrs. Proudman
and clipped from the Middlefield Banner,
,,x,o~ o,,hraouapf avapfc so,,tta flllv.