The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-09-06
SC0OPED.

bright, scorching rays OF the western
sun stole over the ragged edge of the
Occur d'Alene range down into the
narrow valley below, where they light
ed on the head of a solitary traveller,
tired and dust worn from his long
journey since daybreak Bob Long was
not accustomed to such jaunts as this
that was evident. Yet in a measure
ne was enjoying 1t. In any event, after
coming into Rocky canyon for the priv
lege of ''roughing it, he had no inten-
ton of going back on the venture at
this stage of the game. A two week 6
vacation, during which he need not
turn in a line OF copy, did not come but
once annually, and it was not 10 be
wasted in backward glances, But he
was tired. and the little beast under
him did not possess the most restful of
movements. Then, too, the road was
lonely-fearfully so. Bob began to
wonder how he had managed to miss
all the camps, for he knew he was in
the heart Of an extensive mining dis
trict. He kept travelling simply be
cause he could not be satisfied to stop
until he had arrived at some definite
understanding with himself in regard
The narrow trail wound around the
side Of a craggy mountain, then dipped
into the valley again. The elevation
disclosed to view an approaching horse
man riding with the ease of long prac-
tice. Five minutes later the men
halted to exchange greetings.
Hello, stranger! Prospectin' ?"
We'll. yes, a little. Prospecting for
pleasure
Sorry to disappoint you. stranger.
but you won't find it in these ere dig
nothin but hard work and disappoint-
ment. Don't even roll out 'nough dust
to keep a Teller in chaWin tObaccer. I
can testify to that. Been here goin' on
three year now
Bob looked increduious.
your report doesn't agree with the
rumors that find their way out of this
canyon"
Fact. jest the same. Mighty poor
place fer a stranger to locate"
Bob began to surmise his presence
was not desired in Rocky canyon by
this experienced inhabitant.
How far is it to the nearest mining
camp?" he asked.
Jack Doolan's is down there a spell.
But I'd advise you TO keep cut O.
Jacks camp fer the time befn'. Eel
Ter murdered there this mornin, and
there's a mighty warm reception fer
any stranger ti1a6 happens to turn UP
durin' the next three days. Better
give EN- chanc to cool off a little"
Bob's reportoriaA instincts took a
lively turn.
who was her" he asked.
Jim Smith
Man of any prominence"
"YOdl bet he was. Owned hall the
claim
wealthy
Somewhat" meaningiy.
''Who killed llirn?''
That's what they're tryin' to find
out down TO Jacks"
What induced the act?"
Cant tell you any more. Jest ad-
till some other Gurus FOOLS paid the
penalty. Good day, stranger"
But Bob was not to be frightened
into abandoning his trip. Besides, here
was a scoop for the Meteor, and the
value of a scoop to that enteTprising
sheet was not to be ignored Bob re-
solved to go on and trust to luck and
his own adroitness to save his neck.
The stranger had shown too much anX-
iety for his peaceful departure for him
to give full credence to the story, and
convinced himself that he
had conversed with the read murderer,
provided that the whole thing was not
4 fake, and that by continuing his
Journey he would be the means of the
capture and punishment of the escap-
ng criminal.
Another mile and he came to a camp.
That part of the travellers information
was correct at least, and inquiry quick
y proved that it was Jack Doolan's.
Contrary to his expectations, Bob met
with a. hospitable reception without
any suggestion of suspicion. True, Jim
Smith was murdered there that morn-
ng, but Jim Smiths murderer had al
-eady been apprehended, and, from the
1ootless feet Bob discovered dangling
n the breeze back of the camp, had
met With lofty treatment. At
my rate, some one had paid the pen
Llty and Bob had nothing to fear.
1t made a great story for the Me
cor. Being on the ground. Bob got
Ill the details, and they needed no
He did not rest until ne
lad the story on the wires, though it |
an extra ten miles on
horseback to JiIntown, the nearest tel /
graph station. But the Meteor appre-
lated 1t, andI that was sufficient.
The next day Bob returned to Jack |
)oolan's prepared to continue his va
alton that had been so suddenly inter
upted. He had hardly entered the !
amp, however, when the man who had |
iven him the main facts In the murder
tory called him aside.
Say, stranger, do you want another
tory? Since you're in the biz you
hight as we'll have all that's goin, and
here's a cussed lot of it round these
il1tS at mr. Ta1y
ionin, Jack and me. that thay's a gang
counterfeiters back in the mountains
ome'ers. You know that feller you
let on the road yesterday? Well,
e's one o. EN-, er 1 miss my guess.
lie didn't want you up here. Mistook
on fer a government chap. See?"
Bob grew interested. He wasn't par
cularly anxious for another scoop. but
either was he in the habit of letting a
God story escape him. The result was
quiet investigation, e1iciting proof
nat the miners suspicious were cor
cot Several days later a scare head
,pped a three-column article from The
[eteor's correspondent at Jintowu.
hen followed a visit to Rocky canyon
q, posse of government officials and
raid ON the den. The Meteor had a
,oop daily. and The Telegram and The
ews felt themselves obliged to send
to this interesting scene
action. But Bob had the advantage
precedence, and the rival scribes
'rind themselves unable to ger at the
cts which The Meteor published regu-
rly.
The close of Bob's vacation found him
/ the midst of the government raid,
Id a telegram from The Meteors man
,ing editor complimented him on his .
rod work and requested MIN to re-
ain at Jintown until further orders.
One night a. belated traveller was {
eeping peacefully, rolled UP in a