Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-17
JUMPING A CLAIM.

Twas New Years. ere ia the camp. and
he Gold Nugget saloon was doing heavy
business all aioog the line Ddnks were
icing rapidly dlspensed over the counter,
and IN tbs rear faro, roulette a1d draw poker
were fourshing
Pete wash high humor. He had backed
the tiger successfully tonight aud had quit
enough ahssd 20 work his claim in Cork
screw galeb-
True, be bad not done his assessment
work this Jszr. and By law anybody could
"jump" the Lone Star that very day n.
midnight But Pete was not the man to
Be fooled with. a. he already had two
graves to his credit in Doc Turner'S ranch
The name applied 70 the cemetery In honor
q = local DOCTOR. which contained the
bodies Of two ''tenderfeet1 who had "dif-
se-ed" Eitb him and were accidentally shot.
So the Inhabitants Of GaIensville ooncludsd
be was a safe man 10 let alone. and he
lEughsd At the idea that anybody would Be
20 foolish - 10 commit suicide" as be
terned IL. By attempting 20 jump bis claim.
The old year had but a few minutes TO
live when Hank tied up his horse among
the tall, suGH laden pine trees near the
Lane star, and l0ossDing the thongs which
fastened a pickhr 10 his horses saddle
and transferring = couple OF sticks Of Gy-
Mantle and some candles from his saddle
bag 70 his pockets shouldered the pick
and slowly mounted the tortuous trail
He had long awaited this moment -Four
years ago be had owned the Lone Star
himself, but sickness came. and be could
not work bis ESssssment, and when he re-
turned 20 th7 prospect and found Pete,
armed 10 tbs teeth. In Possession, he bad
accepted his hard luck with good grace,
bat had ''lAidn for Pete ever since. But
now At last his opportunity had come, and
he determined 10 regain his property and
defend Il a. tins risk Of his life If necessary.
The tunnel was soon reached, and the
moonlight streaming aslant it, black
mouth, easily disclosed 70 his eyes Pete's
location stake.
He looked at bis watch. 1t marked ez-
hctly midnight.
Reaching r,Hn, be fercely wrenched the
stake from tie ground and hungit far from
him down the mountain
He then liz candle, AID finding board
quickly shnrpened enc end q It, aud smooth.
Ing Oh the broad end wrote his location no
tico On it-rechristsning tho claim the
Bright Hopes"-nnd planted the stake
firmly In the ground.
Thinking he would 20 into the tunnel
and see how she looked. ho took up his
candle and pick and started 10.
just a. he did ~ be thought be heard a
whistle. He paused and listened Some
one was coming up the trail below shis-
Ting softly. Quickly douslng the light, he
crouehed behind a big bowlder just at the
mouth Of the tunnel and drew his revolver
a few minutes later Pete stepped a
view, with q weeks supplies In a sack
sluDg over his shoulder
Before he could put biz burden down
Hank suddenly rose up before him with
the muzzlo Of his pistol almost touching
the others face.
Hands upf be cried. 1--WE got the
drop on yer now
Pete, seeing the other man had full
hand, promptly threw up his, while Hank
deity relieved him Of his firearms.
"'Tain't worth lighting about anyhow
said Pete car 'essly. There amt pound
Of ore in the uli claim
"Oh, come on" said Hank How about
all that ore you shipped lAst summer"
That was out Of = pocket fstruck which
potered cut Mighty quick, but II you don't
believe me u go in the hole and show
you, % and ling candle Pete started in
the tunnel. lnb followed, but keepinghi.
hand within easy reach Of bis gun.
This bralst Of the tunnel was soon reached
and Pete, holding his candle up before s.
said There now, what did tell yeri II.
nnthin but dead rock
Hank took his candle and carefully ex
Arnined the breast, roof and sides, but moi
q trace Of mineral could be seen.
You're Welcome 70 her, % aid Pete NV,
| blown Ia all the money want TO. Yul
\ can have q blast at her now II YOU wan
| ta.n
Hank did not reply, but appeared 10 b,
! Lost ga thought Finally he said, Hold m,
candle minute Pete, aud taking up hi
| pick ia both hands ho struck the breast
heavy blow, and the rock and mud with
which Pete had plastered 1t TO fool curiou
and unwelcome visitors fell away, exposing
vein OF glittering white metal.
Almost Al the same inhtant there was
deafenlng report, and Hank fell TO tn
ground With bullet through his heart
Pete, with n smoking revolver In hi
hand. which he had AnAtched fsoIn Hank
belt Us he struck the blow. stood over bin
With grim smile aA he muttered, IAN
other areidentW
But retribution was close at hand. TIL
reyetbern,io-s Of the shot had hardly ID
away among the neishboring peaks W
rock, which had long been loose, star
by the sudden shock, fell from the 70
bringing tons OF earth with IL, and Pete
his third victim were crushed into a SHAPE
less mess.-St. Louis Post Dispatch.
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