The record-union., 1893-11-13


brings with its recollection a feeling OF
thankfulness for my natural antipathy to
the SPORT" says a Montana correspond
ent of the Newark Sunday Call.
81 had gone through a good deal of
capital when 1 attained my majority,
and in answer to my frequent importu-
mites for money my father informed me
that he would give me an ample allow
ance to set myself up in business, and
that that would end his contributions to
my exchequer for some time.
ST selected as business location the
town of Glendale, then roaring mining
camp. in which capital, with fair business
prudence, might be doubled in short
while.
''I made money fast, but could not
overcome my profiigate habits, and soon
became known, even in that rough set
tlement, for the lavish prodigality with
which 1 dispensed my rapidly acquired
wealth. My money was usually carried
about me. There were no banks in Glen
dale, and what money l did not promptly
yeinyest in my business | spent readily.
Glendale was an outhtting point for
prospectorS and others going to the newly
discovered Yankee Fork and Wood
River countries in Idaho. There were
quite a number of desperadoes of more
or less Western type congregated there
during the winter. The major portion of
the weeks business, by a perverse and
unchristian habit that obtains in all prim-
tive Western communities, was done on
Sunday. On that day the natives from
the surrounding countrieS-ranchers,
charcoal burners and miners-took d lay
of and came to camp, some for provlS-
ions, others for recreation and many for
devlltry.
early one Sunday morning a young
man of prepossessing appearance, [
thought, rather neatly attired for that
country-apparent 26 or IS years old
came into my store. | was alone at the
time. He spoke pleasantly and handed
me some orders from some ranchmen
near Melrose, small town i've miles
distant.
In the course of conversation he
claimed to have known me in Helena,
and although l did not remember either
his face or the name he gave mechanics
Merrlll-hiS manner was SO entirely cor
dial that our slight conversation soon re-
solved itself into afree-and-easy acquaint-
ance that led the way 70 unguarded socia-
bility on my part.
The conversation drifted upon the
subject of fishing and hunting. He asked
if / liked the sport. | told him l was not
fond of it, although l had INDUCED in it
occasionally. Before leaving the store he
asked me in cordial way TO visit him.
He had a cabin, he said. near Melrose,
with two hunks IN it. and generous pro-
visioning, with rifles, ammunition, and
fishing tackle. In return for my COM
panionship he promised to drum trade
for me among the ranchers in his neigh
borhood.
Il was anxious to cultivate so agree
able an acquaintance amid the social soli-
tude of the rude characters that sur
rounded my existence in Glendale, and
promised to spend day and night with
him on the following Thurday, and to 60
into the surrounding hills, where, he
said, he had seen several bands Of ante
lope within few days.
ION the following Thursday something
detained me at Glendale, and [ was re-
gretfully compelled to forego my trip. [
thought no more of the matter until
events transpired which fixed that event
ful Thursday so indelibly upon my mind
that it will abide with me as long as
memory lasts.
"a day or two after the weather grew
cold and heavy snow fell, probably a
foot in depth. On Monday Merrill drove
into town in sleigh with companion
During the course of the day they came
into the store quite frequently and made
several purchases of blankets and provi-
slons, the stranger in each instance flash
ing roll of bills aggregating, doubtless,
several hundred dollars, and paying for
everything. With many apologies L ex-
plG.ned to Merrill my failure to keep the
appointment had made. He was even
more cordial than before, and 1 pledged
him another appointment as soon as /
could arrange to 60.
1.-The pair visited many saloons, and on
their last visit to my place l noticed the
stranger was completely intoxicated,
while Merrill was quite sober. The town
being rather dull after the unbridled ex-
cesses OF the previous Sunday, the pair
were observed by the FOUNDERS about the
saloons and by others in the camp, and
at O'Clock quite a crowd collected in
front of the saloon before which they
were making preparations to depart for
Melrose. their ostensible destination.
There were two roads leading out of
Glendale to Melrose. One was called the
Canyon road, and while much sleeper,
was the shorter route. The other was
some eight miles in length, and went by
way of the Big Hole River. Merrill and
his companion took the Canyon road,
1T was learned in some manner that
their real destination was Wunderlichs,
a stage station several miles beyond Mel
rose.
After their departure it occurred to
self-constituted Constable by the name of
Bateman that the circumstances of Mer-
rill not drinking, and the sinister, gloat-
ing expression of his eyes as his compan-
ion gradually became maudlin, were sus-
picious. He came to my place and asked
me if | had observed their behavior. /
told him that in my opinion there was
nothing strange about it, that Merrill was
probably not drinking man. The fact
was, was quite impressed with MerrilPs
ot1-hand manner, thought him an inno
cent, whole-souled fellow, and rather re-
sented the dark hints thrown out by
Bateman. l expressed the opinion that
he was doing Merrill decided injustice.
The Constable was far from satisfied
with my assurances, and informed me
that he intended to go to Reynolds, pro-
cure horse and go TO Wunderlich's by
the Big Hole road, in order to ascertain
If they had both arrived safely. Y on are
tool, Bateman,' was my indignant re-
monstrance, as he departed.
''4At o'clock in the evening Bateman
drove into Glendale in the sleigh in
which Merrill and his companion had
left town with Merrill a prisoner. The
stranger was missing.
Merrill was placed under guard at the
hotel. Bateman informed several parties
that he had been at Wunderlich's per-
haps a matter of ten minutes when he
observed Merrill leisurely driving down
the road alone in the sleigh. He asked
Merrill where his companion was. With
more GOODNESS than innocence, Merrill
said he had dropped cut some distance
up the canyon to follow some deer tracks
he had seen in the snow.
'Bateman, covering Merrill with his
gun, compelled him to throw up his
hands, alight from the sleigh, and calling
one of the hands at the stage station. told
him to relieve Merrill of his arms. a
42-caliber revolver was taken from Mer-
rills person.
Now said Bateman, 4 guess we will
take drive back to Glendale. If your