Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-12-12

Although Iay journey proved 70 b,
va''., as the scroll | came to read had
vanished, | fingered in the village, al
leaing us the reason Of my stay u hope
that it might be discovered, but, really,
because desired to become friendly
with this white man.
As 1t CHANGED, ali opportunity was
soon given me to do him n signal serv-
ice. | have stated that there dwelt
men Of position in this place, Mex
leans, who were Jealous Of the Eng
lishman. and these people stirred up
some discontentcd miners in his en-
ploy to make plot to murder him.
The plot came to my ears through
one Of the brotherhood, and deter
mined TO Illustrate 1t, to which end |
collected together twenty good men
and true, arming them with guns,
and on given night. after n pitched
battle, we frustrated the plnn Of the
murdercrs, which was at the hour Of
dawn to attack the house where Senior
Strickland slept with four or five sery-
ants only, and to put all within its
walls to death.
Next day, when all the trouble was
over, and the place had been made tidy,
Senior Strickland sent man to ask If |
would do him the pleasure to dine with
him. accepted. and as we sat smok-
ing after dinner after having talked Of
the fight. he spoke thus to me:
''Don Ignatio, owe You my life, and,
believe me, am grateful, for do not
see why you should have riskcd somurli
for foreign stranger.
II did 1t because like You, senor," |
answered, "also because it is very pleas
ant to catch the wicked in their own
tolls
don Ignatio, hardly like to ask
you, and daresay that you will think
the offer beneath contempt, butarc you
willing to accept an engagement?
am sadly in need Of n submanagcr here,
one who could control the Indians, and
to such a man am prepared topay one
hundred dollars month; the funds Of
the company | represent will not allow
me to offer more"
thought for awhile, and answered:
"Senor, the money is not enough to
tempt me, though 1t will serve to buy
food, lodging and cigars, but nccept
your offer for the same reason that |
fought your battles this morning, be-
cause like you, and will gladly do my
best to serve you and your interests
"Still must warn you that, for
aught know, may have to leave
your service at short notice, for my
time isnot altogether my own. Ialsoam
the servantof great company, senior,
and though now | am on leave, as it
were, and have been for these many
years, may be required at any mo-
ment."
Thus 1t was that entered the serv-
ice Of Senior James Strickland, orrather
of his company, in which | continued
for something more than year, work.
ing very hard, for the senior did not
spare either me or himself.
One evening, on returning from the
smelling works to the house, | found
Senior Strickland, with his chin rest
ing on his hand and an unlighted
cigar in his mouth, seated at table on
| which lay an open letter. asked him
what evil thing had happened.
Nothing particular, lgnatio, he an
swercd, but listen here" And he read
the letter aloud.
II was from the owners of the mine,
and this was the purport of it; that
the shaft had become choked with
wa.cr because OF the incompetence and
neglect Of the senior; that they, the
owners, hereby dismissed him sum-
marily, refusing to pay him the salary
due, and, lastly, that they held him re-
sponsiblc in his own person for such
money as they had lost.
Surely cried in wrath, when he
! had finished, this letter was written
by a man without shame, and ! pray
that he may find his grave in the stom-
achs Of hogs and vultures!'
DO not trouble, Ignatio,n he said
with little smile, ''it is the way Of the
world. | have failed; and must take
the consequences. Had succeeded
there would have been q different
story. Still think that, il | ever meet
this man again, will kick him for tell
| ing lies about me. Do you know, IT,
natio, that, with the exception Of one
thousand dollars which remain to my
credit in Mexico. have spent all my
own money that | had saved upon this
mine, and Of that one thousand dollars,
eight hundred dollars are due to you
for back pay. so whatever trade | take
to next | shall not begin rs rich
man.
BE silent, beg of you, senior" | an
swered, for such words make my ears
burn. What am | also thief that |
should rob you. YOU who have already
been plucled like a fowl for the good
Of others? Insult me once more by
such thoughts and | will never forgive
snu.r