The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-21

ter could comprehend the situation he was
bound and helpless captive, the victim Of all
sorts Of banter
lyon wouldn't let the stuff spile, eh ?" said
Moutressor, with tantaliZing sneeT. well,
Mr.. Already joe you can have your three
meals day, providing you are respectful to
these two gentlemen, who will entertain you
until decide what Is best TO do with you"
Leaving few authoritative instructions TO
Joe's guards, Moatressor returned TO the ceme-
terry, where considerable progress had been
made.
In two hours the trucks were loaded, and the
monuments were hauled mp 10 Shanley's flo
tel. which had been decided upon as the place
where they should be cut into square blocks.
As soon rs il was nnloaded the artisans dexter
ously applied their mAllets and chisels to the
marble, while the trucks went back to the ceme-
terry, a quarter Of mile below, for another
consignment
Three days passed. Four men were still pill
fering the marble slabs from the unnamed
graves assisted at times by the drivers and
keepers OF Already joe" and five men up in
Shanley's bar-rOOm were shaping them into
regular form.
On the morning Of the fourth day four car
goes of the cut marble left for Allegan. Mon
tress0r accompanied the first shipment. They
passed from other trucks destined for Observa-
tion Point, II having been arranged that they
should leave Allcgau on the third night follow
ing the departure of the hrst party.
Montressor reached Allegan late that night.
In n rough, newly built shanty, on a bluff, in
the outskirts Of the town, which Montressor
had purchased. the marble was deposited. All
this work Of plumber was SO planned that the
trucks came TO and went from Allegan at night.
In Observation Point they had no fear Of work.
ing in the daylight. there being no justice up
there TO confront them.
On the following night Montressor and his
gang started mp the canyon, meeting tho laden
trucks returning at about midnight. Montres.
sOr smiled approval when informed that every
thing was all right up at "the Point" He
flattered himself that few men could better
have systematized the Job"
Arriving at the cemetery, he found the work
men just renewing their labors after a short
rest. He called upon ALREADY joe" who had
become so sullen that il was out Of the question
TO get him 10 talk. That night Montressor re-
turned to Allegan with the trucks. He did
not 70 back TO Observation Point the next trip,
Matters demanding his attention compelled
him 20 remain in Allegan.
Curious people already had begun to seek Ad-
mittance into the shanty, and they had been
refused. They must be content with tho ex-
PLANTATION that the mechanics could not be dis
turbed by the presence of visitors. The
foundations Of a large and beautiful mansion
are in the course Of construction for Owen
Montressor, ESQ.," was all that one Of the Ale
gan dailies had announced. No one in Boulder
suspected that MontressOr was the alias oil
Duval by which name he was then known.
For several weeks his employees faithfully
performed the task Of removing the memorials
Of death from the Observation Point cemetery
to busy scene on the gentle elevation near
Allegan.
Slowly the marble walls Of the structure
went up, and Owen MontressOr was by far the
most prominent citizen in the place. So fal
| his scheme had worked well through all III
ramifcations. But lie was on the alert fol
/ surprises. The better 10 avert suspicion, and
out Of necessity as well, he obtained shipment
Of marble from other places to complete the
wonderful edifce.
MOntrcssor's trimmers came down 10 AllegaI
one Saturday night 10 spend tho Sabbath, anC
while under tho influence Of liquor had di
/ vulged enough 70 put the Sheriff on the trai
Of Mr.. Gilrain. But the clew was vague, anC
Montressor, hearing tho matter publicly dis
cussed acted with subtle caution. lie deter
mined 10 get these maTblecutteTs somehow on
Of the way. When the last slab had been con
veyed TO the shanty, to which had been added
several anneXes from time TO time, to make
adequate room for storage, another part OF thu
undertaking was begun. Having no further
use for the maTble-cutteTs he made then
prisoners, and placed them under ALREADY
JOe's" guards IL was not until after a ferc
| struggle, which required the recruiting fore
of the drivers. that the maTble-cutters sur
rendered themselves.
The other part Of the undertaking was tn
removal Of all the pOrtabfe property which tn
citizens Of Observation Point had abandoned il
their flight. In one Of the banks MOntressO
had found 10000 IN specie and bank notes an,
in the tills Of most OF tbs stores he had founj
sums ranging from $40 to $780, besides, il
e 4. l. . -.
Oughly Tansacked. he had found money.
Load after load Of canned goods dTy-goods
miscellaneous merchandise, furniture, stove,
timber, etc, ETC., came down the RedWOOl
Canyon in the darkness. All these things wer
placed in a warehouse which MOntTessO
rented. He sold them at good bargains throug
agents, and thus obtained ready money to pa
his help literally. Ii was rumored finally tha
he had purchased nearly AL the property in Oh
servation Point aud Allogan people, who wer
unaware that the Point" for months had beel
completely deserted, credited the story.
MOntressOr circulated reports that the choler
was still raging violently up there, aud this de
TERED the people who had fed from gOin
back to claim their property. Half a dozen o
more men did attempt % return TO Observation
Point, but when within about three miles o
the place they were halted by two men in mill
taTy uniform, who came out Of tent on whic
the word Quarantine was painted in big blacl
letters and were told they could not 20 an,
farther. Accepting these appearances in goo
faith, the men Tetraced their way TO Allegan.
OF course the quarantine was a dodge Q
MOntressor's 10 keep away from Observation
Point all Of its former living citizens, even thos
who held there extensive interests.
Busy as he was, Montressor was a frequen
caller upon Alice CrOfton. He told her he wa
building such palace as only his oxtraordinaT
income could make possible palace in Whic
they would live in coBjugaI felicity. In he
innocence aud faith she was delighted. Sh
was tue living envy0f every woman in AllegaI
MOntressOr said he did not care 10 have her sc
the structure until IL was all completed, thong
, he showed her the plans and specifications, an
consulted her judgment in many particulars.
-Four months elapsed. Observation Poin
was Tfled OF everything Of value. The hOus
{ in which Already Joe and the FIVE marbl,
cutters were still confined was the only on
that had not been robbed of doors, window
: aud like material. The "truck" " Alread
, Joe " had mentioned was no longer there. TIL
, marble edi0ce buided Of tombstones lacke
completion only in furnishing.
In order that Alice might offer her sugge
, tions as 10 the interior decorations, MOntressC
, escorted her over 20 the mansion one da,
} They entered the building through a side win
aud travelling through different suites OF room
up stairs and down, eamo into the main hal
: Alice had been dazzled By the magnificent PR
portions OF the establishment, and was muslin
} over IL, like one in a dream, when she happene
) 10 glance az the newell post supporting I'll
marble balnster. Her eye sweeping down I'll
graceful column, was arrested by these lines