Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-05-03
MYSTERY OF THE CAMP.
By S. A, D, Cox.

Sulphur Strike was in the height of
its BOOM" Considerable dust was
being taken out right along, and oil
who worked did we'll.
One day couple of strangers rode
into the camp. One was big, good
looking fellow, and the other was q
small, graceful chap of about four
teen years, better looking than his
companion.
The big fellow treated the crowd
and introduced himself as Bob Burns,
and the young fellow as Tommy
Mills, his nephew. He made some
inquiries, and then the two went about
a quarter of mile. up the gulch, and
staked off n claim.
This done, the big fellow went to
work and built cabin; tho little
chap sitting around and watching.
Evidently Bob thought great deal
of his nephew, and wasn't willing he
should do such heavy work.
1t took Bob several days to build
the cabin, and when It was done they
moved in.
They did not bother the citizens Of
the camp much, as Bob only came
when in need of provisions, and
Tommy came not ut all.
The miners of Sulphur Strike were a
socinhle lot, however, and gradually
they got to coming to the cabin in lots
ofthree to six and spending the eve
ming.
Tommy Mills was soon favorite;
his chee' fu smile and winning ways
capturing the rough fellows hearts.
H. never '.i much to say, but he
w.uld Ill in the corner and smile at
every funny "a ing.
Hardly an evening passed, without
"a lot of the boys being up ut the cabin,
and this wento for several months.
Then, all at once, the boys noticed
adherence. Bob, big, Eood-naturcd
Bob, became morose and grumpy,
and would sit in moody silence, or
speak in monosyllables when adj
dressed; and Tommy. instead OF smil-
ing. would sit there silent and sober.
Several times tho boys were sure he
had been crying, for his eyes were
red, as if with weeping.
Tell Sc what boys" said Long Ike
Miller, one evening after having WIS.,
'ited the cabin with half dozen 9TH
ers and come away feeling dissatis-
A4SN1 with LhO NiSlly L lcSI KNOW
somepin's wrong! Thet big feller's
abusin' Nv the leetle chaplin sure
NV eti"
Looks kinder that way, twas the
general verdict.
Next evening, when the boys put in
an appearance, they met with n cooler
reception than ever before. +. Bob al
most the same as told them that he
1iIr, Mt fhnFNN -
they went.
wrong" asserted long Ike, positively,
find out wat ct is. Well go up TO-
Bob Burns is mistreatin' NV tibet
leetle ,pard NV his, he'll have ter
answer fur it.
That's w'at!" said the rest of the
miners.
usual, there were eight in the party,
got there they found the door nailed
up, and the two mysterious pards
gone. On the door, written with red
keel was the following brief SON
tence:
"DE BACK IN TEN DAYS"
The miners stared in blank aston
ishment.
Comet exclaimed Long Ike.
"Slopedl"
Puckacheedl"
Vamosed the ranchi"
Long Ike regarded the nailed-up
door reflectively
Reckon that dog goned galoot
hain't murdered the leetle chap, an
skipped with the dust?" he remarke d
half questioningly.
The other miners looked startled.
I'll bet he has !" said one.
Wouldn't be a bit s'prised ~
Lies break down the door an see
fur ourselves" suggested one.
That's the ticket!'' from another.
But Long Ike said no.
"iThet air Bob didn't seem to me
like feller as'd do the bloody muir
der act" he said slowly, IAN I'm fur
givin' i'm show. He says he'll be
back in ten days. Wal, les wait the
ten days an sec IL does come back. II
he does, well an good; if he don't.
We'll bust that door down, git all the
p'ints ne kin, an go on his trail.
What dye say2"
- ~ ACSAACN " w IIlS1 anu
then they returned to the camp with
the story OF the mysterious disappear
ance of the pards.
This affair was nine days wonder,
and, one evening just as the affair
had about slipped out of the memories
of the citizens OF the camp, two
strangers rode into Sulphur Strike.
They dismounted and entered the
one store of the camp.
m looking for man and girl, %
said one OF the strangers, a dark-eyed,
why, wicked-looking little fellow,
evidently a Mexican. 1.-THE man is a
big fellow, blue eyes, light hair; the
girl. little, dark eyes. Seen emp"
Long Ike happened to De present,
and he took it upon himself to answer.
The man an boy hev ben resi-
dents NV this hyar camp for several
months, he said; but they're gone,
now, nobuddy knows whar. Went
Long Ike stopped and studied a
moment
By thunderl it's jest ben ten days
to-day, since they wentr' he ex-
claimed. Hadn't thought NV it be-
fore. b'poshIH