Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-10-07
A STROKE OF LIGHTNING

PotiuSh Will US! III, jim, DrlnB another
plate for the gentleman. just picket
your boss, sir, and make yourself al
home. This is Cap'n Wilson; his brother
Dan; my name Is Holt. The boys gen
orally calls me GUNNER cause the gov
ernor of this state is named Holt too
no relation to me though. Elliott, Vic
tor Elliott, did you say the name was.
Glad to see you. This venison is good
pitch in and help yourself; we've just
got through"
Such was the greeting received one
autumnal evening back In the Seventies
by lone horseman who rode up TO the
camp OF an engineering party of the Rio
Grande railway in Colorado. As the
stranger sat eating his supper, thorough.
ly at ease with the men he had never
even heard of an hour before, the others
watched him curiously, wondering who
he might be. and his where
1t could be.
Fine looking fellow he was, too, about
thirty -fiye years old, with a well knit
figure, piercing black eyes, hair the
same color, curly MS child's, strong
white teeth that cleaned through his
mustache, and lazy, good natured,
gentlemanly air that made friends for
him so easily His hands especially at
tracted their attention. They were as
white, the nails as neatly trimmed, as
womans. He ate on, unconscious of
their glances, until his appetite was APP
peased, then stretched himself face
downward on the ground watching the
fire and talking with the others.
Said he; See my mare over there?
Isn't she beauty? She came from New
Mexico. was down there at round
up several years ago. Must have been
BOO head of horses at the corrals. AS |
stood idly watching the work saw
horse vault into the air, clearing an
eight foot fence at bound, and was off
like the wind. Far out on the prairie
the vaqueros captured her and brought
her in. This is the mare She was too
neat and pretty to be branded, and
bought her for 800 in gold. She ought
to be tired, for I've ridden her hard to-
day"
As he finished speaking he gave a low,
peculiar whistle and the mare whinnied
in return, perfect picture as she stood
with name and tail flying in the breezes,
outlined against the foothills.
Soon all the men were wrapped in
their blankets, feet to the fire, and fast
asleep-all but one That one was Elliott.
The glowing embers, now and again
emitting crackle and spark as bit of
resin caught fire, pleased his fancy as he
lay watching them. his thoughts miles
away. He seemed again playing poker
In the gambling hell in Bluffville with
stacks of chips in front of him, and their
musical clink rang in his ears.
What great luck did have in that
jack pot, standing all the raises on
pair of jacks, but when | drew in two
more In my three card draw against
those pat hands, felt easier. Guess |
eieared five thousand on the afternoon
game. Lucky for me cashed in and
went to supper. | was only in few
hundred when that row came up"
He felt of his belt. Yes, the money
WAS safe, strapped around his waist un-
der his shirt.
81 wonder If that fellows dead yet
The contemplate cheat. Thought he
could deal second card on us, did he?
Well, it didn't work. Wonder who fred
that shot. When the light went out |
felt pretty squeamish. he spoke my
name; heard 1t plainly just as went
out the door, but didn't stop; didn't
have time; too warm around those dig
gings just then. Wonder IL those bull.
lets went through the roof 1t helped to
increase the confusion, and didn't want
any sheriff's party in that room. not any.
Awkward, my dropping that pistol.
Wish ! had 1t back again, for I've car
ried 1t SO many years. Wonder If I'll
find Mollie over at that railroad town.
She was TO have reached there yester-
day, and I'm late. but | guess she'll wait.
How sleepy | am! Dear old Moll'-
And he slept the sleep that only outdoor
exercise can give.
Early dawn found the party break
tasted, and Elliott, bidding his hosts
goodby, started once more ON the trail
10 that lonely mountain village where
the railroad should bring his loved one
to him.
Busy with their plans and the repair
OF their surveying instruments for the
days use, the engineering party did not
notice the approach Of band OF men
whose sudden appearance startled them
an hour later. There were seven OF them,
armed TO the teeth with rifles, revolyers
and bowie knives and laden only with
the camp equipage of short journey
The leader courteously inquired IL they
had seen tall, dark man dressed in
corduroy suit. The description fitted
Elliott so exactly that the newcomers
soon elected the desired information and
started on up the valley, simply youch-
ssfng the information that the gentle
man had gone on ahead Of them aud
they wished to overtake him.
Riding At slow. easy lope away from
the camp where he had spent the night
and been 30 Hospitality entertained, Eli
OFT felt the exhilaration OF the fresh
mountain air and quickened his horses
pace to gallop. The mare caught the
DIT In her teeth and away they went,
faster and faster. Thus 1t was that the
party riding over the same track, handi-
capped by having to watch for the i'm.
PRINT OF the horses hoofs as they went
along, did not catch sight Of Elliott until
aboutsmidday. The trail, narrow In the
foothills, led them to a more travelled
road which showed the marks Of .
wagon having travelled II. This road
va them y an old adobe hut. the root