Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-02-04
THE GOLD HUNTER.
How Restless Jack Holloway
Found His Fortune.

Found His Fortune.
The thunder crashed through the
narrow canyon like heavy artillery
manifolded ten thousand times. The
rocky eminences, shrouded in the I'M
natural gloom of the storm, seemed to
tremble under the terrific roll and re-
verberation of the sound. The birds
shrieked in terror from their hidden
perches, and the rushing waters of the
mountain stream danced in satanic de-
light at the fearful display of natures
volcanic wrath. The wind and rain
came rushing, swirling. bowling down
the narrow way with all the fury of an
outraged god Logs, bushes, rocks and
small trees were uprooted and went
crashing down the mountain way in
the van of the tornado 1t seemed as
ri the elements of the sky and air had
united all their forces TO destroy the
immutable rocks that reared their
heads in such majestic pride.
A thunderstorm in the wild noun
tains of the west is an impressive sight
The heavens and earth rock as in some
mighty cradle, and the roar of rain,
mountain torrents, rolling thunder and
falling rocks, threaten instant demoli-
ton to the whole scene. One closes
the eyes in terror and waits for a
change. Man is powerless in such
natural upheavals. There is no hiding
place, no sheltering spot of safety
Even the towering mountains threaten
to fall into the valley and crush all ami
mate life out of existence.
ca1rn Snrena civ orar tho
earth shortly before the storm, and the
swift approach of the thunder cloud
was only equaled by its wild intensity.
Jack Holloway was half way through
the canyon when the muttering thun-
der warned him of the impending dan
ger. He took swift glance at the
clouds, noted the low murmuring of
the winds, and felt the oppressiveness
in the atmosphere. His knowledge of
the storms in the wild mountain passes
made him decide quickly to look for a
place of safety.
Its going to be a stunner!" he ejacu-
lated, as he goaded his tired horse into
a trot, land the rocks will be rolling
down here like ninepins before long"
A short distance down the canyon, he
expected to find the home of settler
and he hurried on as rapidly as his
faded steed could go.
But the thunderstorm was rushing
before a tornado, and the next moment
it broke upon the quiet scene with
-demoniac fury. The lonely rider refined
in his horse with a quick jerk and dis
mounted. Leading him up against the
side of the canyon, the two tried to
crouch close enough to escape the de-
sscending rain. But the wind was angry
and puffy 1t sent great binding show
-ers in the face of man and horse. They
crouched lower, but the rain easily
reached and drenched them.
'.This is tough, Polly, isn't it?" he
remarked. But we can stand it to-
gether."
The horse whinnied and placed her
wet head on her masters arm. Jack
Holloway loved his horse, and he wound
his arm around the brute's neck The
two thus stood. quietly facing the
sweep of the storm.
Its better in here"
Holloway turned around, and Won
.dered if it was voice, or his magma
Etion.
You will get wet out there"
This time there was no mistake. 1t
was the trem bling voice of woman,
calling to him. He looked up above
his head, and not a dozen feet away he
saw a natural cave in the rocky wall,
and the form of woman standing at
the entrance. She was reckoning to
him.
He obeyed the summons and scram-
bled up the rocks to her side. Polly
whinned, and he returned to help the
noble animal to the sheltered cave.
81 thought it was better up here"
the young woman said, half apologet-
ically, land knew you didn't see the
= cave"
Holloway turned and looked at her
for the first time, and in that glance he
noticed that she was more than or1i-
narily pretty, with q strong. expressive
face.
You're right" he said, lit is better
up here. 1 wasn't familiar with this
cave. knew Tom Suffers house was
down the canyon farther, but the storm
wouldn't let me get there.
Eyes, Cousin Toms house is mile
away" she replied.
"Oh, then, he's your cousin? I'll
claim friendship with you on that
score. for Tom and l came west to-
gether."
He took off his hat, and extended a
hand. Her eyes frightened. and she
answered with more animation:
.sHow glad am. can trust you then.
I was a little afraid to speak TO you at
first thought you might be
.'Some tramp, horsethief, wandering
bandit or something of that sort, he
interrupted, with a smile.
WELL she acknowledged, with
little flush, Its not always safe to
speak with every man you meet in the
canyon"
s.Assuredly not"
but when you put your arm around