Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-12-28

to marry young lady in the East, who
from financial point of view was a
little above his station Unfortunately
for him and his friends, failed to learn
his name and the place he called home
1.-THE day before Christmas the
weather broke (moderated) and we. went
to the mine to put in good days work
We had now quite shaft down, with q
cross-cut about twenty feet long, which
we had lately started for exploring pur-
poses. We worked in the latter that
lay, and soon encountered formation
different from anything we had so far
discovered The earth was now soft.
and great caution had to be exercised
in working, to avoid cave-in, which
would have meant death to both of us
"As if the same thought had moved
us both, we took out of our pockets the
extra candles we had brought along,
and started to examine the material in
which we were working
"To be sure, we were not mistaken,
we had opened an immense pocket of
silver gold carbonates The end of our
tribulations was at hand, and visions Of
comfort and wealth tloated before our
eyes,
81 turned around to offer my con-
gratulations to my partner aud held out
my hand A bright bit of steel was
cleaning in my face. and Jim stood be-
fore me with the look of maniac in his
eyes and drawn six shooter in his
hands.
"He found his voice after an effort.
AT last, he said, the wealth I've
searched for is within my grasp. Bill,
you don't ueed it, You shall not leave
this place alive unless you agree and
promise to let me have this mine and
the proceeds. 1t is all mine; | brought
you here, and now | want it,
"What could do? Argument was
useless | was unarmed, and cared lit
tie anyhow to take the poor follows life
The sudden good fortune had turned
his brain. jim was raving maniac.
But how could circumvent his plan to
murder me?
II talked to him long time, trying
to show him the INJUSTICE of his act, but
the weapon was always leveled at my
head, while he demanded deed to the
claim. The prospect was not flattering.
asked him to come to the cabin or to
the camp and have the papers made out,
but he uttered n diabolical laugh and
declined to go. For several hours we
argued back and forth, deep under
ground, with no light save that from
our candles. The situation became
desperate, The candles would soon
give out, and then in the darkness
tragedy might take place. did not
care to be murdered in cold blood by
this maniac. Whatever transpired must
come quickly, and decided to disarm
the fellow. 1t was risky thing, but
absolutely the only way out of the di-
lemma
II picked up the bucket rope that
was lying at my feet and toying with it
careessly, kept talking to the lunatic
Measuring the distance between us with
glance. | lesped suddenly upon him,
carrying him down by my own weight
The revolver exploded. but only ia
nictcd flesh arm wound in my left arm.
CHouci but uobpcE hte
struggle in which was ever engaged
jim fought with the desperation and
snperhuman strength usually developed
by maniacs. For over an hour we
struggled back and forth. had NO
desire to injurs the fellow, only to Sc
cure him. Finally his strength gave
way, and soon had him bound hand
and foot He cursed and begged, all to
no purpose. hurried to the camp for
assistance to convey Jim from the bot
tom Of the mine to place Of safety.
"The stars were commencing to peep
through the Clouds and just as we en-
tered the long street Of the camp, the
cold winter moon rese over the noun
tain, shedding pale light over the
slowly moving procession. What
home coming for Christmas Eve
Would he ever recover enough to
tell us of the names of his friends |
told the boys the story, and many a
rough face was turned away, as its
owner no doubt was thinking of the
friends at home.
"Jim had to be taken to the asylum.
| sold the claim at good figure, and
stayed there to give him all possible aid.
But he never regained his sound senses,
but died soon after with the secret Of
his life buried in his breast"