The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-02-10
JCMPED THE LONE STAR,

|
From the Detroit Free Press.
1t was New Years eve in the camp
and the Gold Nugget saloon was doing
heavy business all along the line.
Drinks were being rapidly dispensed
! over the counter and in the rear faro,
roulette and draw-po1er were -four.
| ishing. Pete" was in high humor.
He had ''bucked" the tiger successful
! iy tonight and had quit enough ahead
to work his claim in Corkscrew gulch.
True, he had not done his assessment
work this year, and by law anyone could
Jump the Lone Star that very day
| at midnight But Pete was not the
man to be fooled with, as he al
| ready had two graves to his credit
in Doc Turner's ranch 1.-THE name APP
piled to the cemetery in honor of a
local doctor), which contained the
bodies of two ''tenderfeet," who had
differed" from him and were acct
dentally shot. So the inha bitants of
Gainesville concluded he was a safe
man to let alone, and he laughed at
the idea that anybody would be so
lOOlioh W COs1liiIib SulClOC, DIS Hc
termed it, by attempting to jump his
claim.
The old year had but few minutes
to live when Hank Smith tied up his
horse among the tall, snow-laden pine
trees near the Lone Star" and, loosen
ing the thongs which fastened pick
to his horses saddle, and trans
% 60, -
mite and some candles from his
saddle-bag to his pockets, shouldered
The pick and slowly mou nted the tor
tuous trail. He had long awaited this
moment. -Four years ago he had owned
The Lone Star" himself, but sickness
came and he could not work his assess
nent. rand when he returned to the
prospect and found Pete, armed to the
teeth, in possession. he accepted his
hard luck with good grace, but had
Laid for Pete ever since. But now
his opportunity had come.
The tunnel was soon reached, and the
moonlight, streaming aslant its black
mouth, easily disclosed to his eyes
Petes location stake. He looked at his
watch. 1t marked exactly midnight.
Reaching down, he fercely wrenched
The stake from the ground and flung it
far from him down the mountain.
He then lit candle, and find
ing board quickly sharpened one end
Of it, and smoothing off the broad end
wrote his location notice on tire
christening the claim the So Bright
Hopes planted the stake firmly
in the ground Thinking he would &C
into the tunnel and ''see how she
looked" he took up candle and pick
and started in.
Just as he did so he thought he heard
a whistle. He paused and listened;
some one was coming up the trail be-
low, whisling softly. Quickly dousine
the light, he crouched behind a big
bowlder lust at the mouth of the tun-
mel and drew his revolver.
A few minutes later Pete stepped in
view with weeks supplies in sack
hanging over his shoulders.
Before he could put his burden
down Hank suddenly rose up before
him with the muzzle of his pistol al
most touching the others face.
Hands up,'' he cried. 1--WE got the
drop on yer now" Pete, seeing the
other man had full hand, promptly
threw up his. while Hank .deftly re-
lieved him of his firearms
faint worth fighting about" said
Pete, carelessly. "There amt pound
Of ore in the hull claim.
about all that ore you shipped las,
summer"
THAT was out of pocket ] struck,
which petered out mighty quick, but,
If you don't believe me I'll go in the
hole and show you" and, taking a
candle, Pete started in the tunnel.
Hank following. but keeping his hand
within easy reach of his gun TIE
breast of the tunnel was soon reached.
and Pete, holding his candle up before
ii, said: There. now, what did tell |
yer? It's nuthin' but dead rock
Hank took his candle and carefully |
examined the breast. roof and sides. |
but not trace of mineral could be |
seen You're welcome 20 her" said |
Pete; I've blown IN all the money |
want to: ron can have blast a. hef /
COW If you want to.
Hank did not reply. bu, seemed 20 Be |
lost IN thought Finally, he said |
Hold mr. candle a minute, Pete, and |
taking mp his pick in both hands, he |
struck the breast heavy blow. and /
the rock and mud with which Pete hae /
pIastered il TO fool curious and unwei /
come visitors fell away. exposing /
sein of glittering white metal. Al |
most at the same instant there was q
lea fleming report, and Hank fell e /
the ground with bullet through bls 1
heart
Pete, with smoking revolver in his ]
hand. which ne had srasci7ed from
HANKS belt as he struck the blo7v,
stood over him with grim smile. a. /
he niussered: Another accident Bat /
cesribution was close a. hand The |
reverheras;on OF the shot had hardly
sled away among the nesg boring
oeaks when 4 rock which had lona u