Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1894-11-30
OUR DISCOVERY.

Z
I had Est graduated as a student,
from the Long Island Medical College,
in Brooklyn, and as needed some re-
creation after my long course of study
In that institution, I determined to
take trip across the Western plains,
my ultimate destination being San
s'rancisco
To my bosom friend Godfrey Den
min, a young lawyer, I described the
prospective pleasures of such trip,
and he at length consented to become
my travelling companion.
About three weeks later, after var
ious unimportant experiences, DENIM
and ! found ourselves in a small town
which / shall call Lathrop, about one
hundred and thirty miles west of Den
yer. 4&
We had just registered at the chtrf
'4hoteP' Of which the place boasted-a
rude two-story frame structure, and
were at once keenly eyed by the loung-
ers and guests. who evidently consid-
cred US very stupid specimens OF the
-tenderfoot'' ariety.
The most important servant of the
house was a Stalwart, full-bearded man
of thirty five, whose garb denoted kim
to be miner. and whom everybody
addressed as Ike
He assisted the cook, acted as bell
boy, officiated as chambermaid, and
sometimes showed his skill as barten-
der when Pete Burroughs the landlord,
withdrew for little respite from his
labors as a decoctOr of delectable bey-
y erages.
= 1t was Ike who first served us in
hat hotel; and the whisky sour he
compounded for me seemed to run
down to the pit of my stomach like a
streak of lightning, leaving a trail of
fire in its course.
coughed and spluttered, while Den
min vigorously whacked me on the
back, thinking was choking.
] glared with look of hatred at Ike
as the author of my discontinue; but
he merely smiled, and winked merrily
at me. and if he and l were partners
in good practical joke.
His repeated winlsing annoyed me;
but it was not long until learned that
this habit was merely the manifesto
ton of nervous complaint which he
could not control
When he read my name on the regis
ter, and saw that it had IN D." at
tached to it. he winled more vigorously
than ever and frequently glanced at
me with very meaning look.
1t was jEst dark when we signified
our intention to visit the apartment as
signed to us, and Ike was deputed to
escort us thither.
Taking up lighted tallow candle,
which Pete had placed on the bar, Ike
gave me Il wink and started for side
door, with DENIM and myself at his
heels.
Ascending dark fight of stairs, he
led us into passage at the end of
which was our room, a medium sized,
carpetless apartment, containing two
small cots, a couple of dilapitated
chairs, a washstand and little round
table, upon which he placed the can
die, saying to me, in q low, mysterious
tone. his impudeni manner changed
suddenly to one Of certain respect:
1--WE looked for you two days ago.
doctor-you a d your friend here-and
had begun to get pretty skeery when we
found you didn't show up. Every
things all right so far; there's no Sus-
picion. You've got what you need in
them things there"-pointing to our va
Uses land you'll not set to work till
the houses all quiet, for walls have
ears. Pete'l close up tonight extra
! early on purpose to give you more
\iVae to do the job. You'll find it in
hre," he concluded. indicating with
jerk of his thumb side door in the
room, and at the same time backing
suddenly to the entrance with an ex-
preston of fear in his ugly face, while
his owlish eyes kept constantly wink
ing.
Utterly amazed I tried to speak,
tried to find voice to ask him what he
was driving at. Indeed, Dennin's ton
que seemed tied, too, and the fellow
had already backed out of the room,
and shut the door quickly, and we
heard him go bounding down the dark
stairs as if a ghost was after him, be-
fore either of us could open our mouths
to articulate q sound.
Well said / finally, turning to Den
min, who appeared to be coming out
of a stupor, what do you make out
of this experience"
Il make out of it, he replied, with
an effort, that we are in for some
strange adventure. What did he mean
by it? Setting to work'-'doing the job
Ito say nothing Of what else he said.
.'E,vidently we shall find that out by
opening that side door which he indi-
Gated And he called me doctor. All
this looks like a real mystery, Denim.
Shall we follow it up?"
I'm with YOU" said DENIM, starting
toward the side door.
/ caught him by the arm.
AGo slow, my boy. Remember his
rning about the walls having ears