The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-11-05


TACT gave Major Fulton and Colonel
Hanks an idea. The bottom lands
near by grew large quantities OF ce.
reais, including cvru. Putting two
ana two together Joe Godfrey and
the ahd--why. it was as
easy ms anything could bel In short
tlmel Mr.. Godfrey's work made itself
lett by the wholesale men, who shook
their hea Is over the decadence of bus
mess, not only in Gold Hill, but in
several outlying camps, as. well Rev
enue officers shook their heads, too.
and sought TO ascertain the cause of
TINS unaccountable state of things.
but only one of them had found what
he sought, and he mysteriously disap-
peared, failing even to call for his
baggage or to pay his bill at the hotel.
And Messrs. Fulton. Hanks, ct al.
waXed fat and prosperous In the midst
oil seeming adversely, yet were ever
circumspect, as behooves gentlemen
who defy the laws of Government.
There we're no Informcrs in Gold Hill.
The man who gave the revenue officer
who mysteriously disappeared the in
formation that led to the finding of
the still, was shot in "sclf-defense" by
henchman of the ring within day
or two after the officer turned up miss
ing.
Several circumstances had caused
suspicion of the man who had been
the subject of the afternoons sessions
In the present instance. He had been
in Gold Hill about two weeks, and
mad hardly spoken to any one in the
camp; he had said nothing about his
business; he took not even hammer
with him when he walked or rode
about the country (pre sumably pros
pecting); and he had been seen on
several occasions, after nightfall This
llSht-colored clothes were conspicu-
ous), outside the camp, talking to some
one, probably stranger, who was as
yet unidentified, inasmuch as the two
had never yet been seen together bv
daylight or within the limits of the
camp.
On the evening after the consulta-
ton of the powers in the Merchants
Hotel, Professor Hendrix met the
stranger, who claimed the name of
Tennison, and tried, in his most suave
and diplomatic manner, to draw him
out and to learn something of his bus.
mess; but the young man, while will
ing enough to discuss matters in gen.
eral, became as dumb rs an oyster
when 1T got to personal questions, and
displayed an aptness in turning the
conversation worthy of one of twice
his years. So Hendrix tried another
tack.
"Er-Mr. Tennison, he began, in
his mildest manner, mt what he con
sidered an opportune moment, 81
greatly fear you think me I'M
duly curious about your-ah-er-
affairs, but
eyes, ! do, interrupted the other.
CURLY; you're about the seventeenth
man that has tried to sound me-" And
he bit off the end of his cigar in n
manner that betokened not little re-
sentiment.
Hendrix WAS n bit Disconnected {;
but, not bit cast down, he resumed
''l'm sorry, Mr. Tennison, but-er
the fact is, if l must tell you, that
that there are rumors-that is, there
are those who affect to believe you are
not what you pretend to be- 8"
what have / pretended to be ?"
asked Tennison, shortly.
Nothing nothing" said the pro
lessor, In some haste. CHATS Just the
trouble. They think you ought to-
MIR. Hendrix, we are in free Amer
lea, are we not? Well, then, pro
pose to attend to my own affairs; and
as for these prying gossips YOU refer
to, have the subimest contempt for
them. Whcreupon Mr. Tennison
rose abruptly, went into the hotel,
and retired to his room.
As matter of fact, he was through
with most Of his business at Gold Hill ::
but he did not propose though
he expected, before his Departures. to
discuss other matters with certain
mining men-to give the Idle gossips
chance to have any satisfaction out
of him
Hendrix. ut n session of the ring in
his back Office, reported his failure to
extract anything from the close
mouthed "teDierfoot."
"5ee?' said Major Fulton, "T
knowed how 'twould be. They hain't
but one thing left t. do, rs ! en- see. 4"
Little Ike looked at him intorroga-
lively. eye don't mean IL" he began,
with some apprehension.
"Nothin' ~ replied the major, short
ly. "Jes' give this angel tn run,
that's all.
About two o'clock in the morning
Iennison was suddenly awakened by
repeated raps ut his door.
"Who's thcrc?' he called, sharply.
Me Hanks, was the response, i'm
what the colonel intended to be n
trembling voice. "Opcn the door
n minute"
Grumbling Mt thus having his sleep
broken, Teunisou complied and Mt
once found himself covered by half n
dozen reyolyers in the hands Of
masked men. Sensibly no threw m
his hands and they entered tho room.
pushing tho apparently unwilling land.
lord, vehomently protesting against
what ne called their brutality, before
them.
"What does this mean. gentle.
mcn?" asked Tennison, angrily. ado
you propose to rob or murder mop
or both ?"
"Shct upl" was the reply. can cit