Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-05-13

tCAA do \ W0o O<43 4A4$14 Liz SllAtOll
continued, ''this Mr.. Valentine as call
him-had left for parts unknown, and
my business was to find out where that
was. thought it all over, and made up
my mind that America was about the
most likely place, for he wouldn't be
likely to go back to England, and, being
of rowing disposition, and never hav-
ing visited the States, that was naturally
the first place he'd think of. And when
q man goes to America he's pretty GER
tain sooner or later to fetch up in New
York So it was in New York that
figured should find him. But before l
started thought it would be as we'll to
make the thing certain by sending on q
cable message, addressed to certain par
ties in New York that you may have
heard of, asking whether my man was
there. Sending kilograms half round
the earth costs money, Bob; but it doesn t
cost quite as much as to go yourself, let
alone the time and the wear and tear.
However, expenses being paid, said
Bob.
That's all very well, but parties en-
ploying one like to have good account
of their money; and a good recommends
ton is sometimes worth more than cash
in hand Well, didn't look for an an
swer inside of week or ten days; but
forty eight hours after had sent off the
dispatch the landlord of my hotel came
up to me and told me that he believed /
was looking for Mr.. Valentine, and that
a man had just arrived from Panama
who had met a party going by that name
in Mexico some six weeks before, and he
thought likely he'd be there yet. | told
him to bring the man around, and he
came and I had talk with him
He had seen Valentine, sure enough;
made up my mind as to that. He de
scribed him as near as could be; for
though had never seen him myself l
had all the points about him from those
who had, and photograph taken four
or five years before. The fellow said that
Valentine had come to Mexico from New
York, after being wrecked in big gale
at St. Thomas, and friend of his-I'l
call him Percy-was drowned in the
same storm"
'You call him Percy. do you?" in
terposed Mr.. Stapleton, land he was
drowned in the ST. Thomas hurricane?
And what might his other name be?"
I'm not giving names; I'm telling you
a story" returned Mr.. Clifton CURLY.
''Thats all right; something occurred
to my mind, that's all; and mighty
good story it is you're telling" rejoined
the other affably. $50 Mr.. Valentine
went over to Mexico, did he? And what
did he do there?"
''Well, he'd brought some letters, so it
seems, introducing him to the president
and some other swells; and he handed
'em in, and was received in good style.
He gave 'em to understand that he'd
come to settle, and grow up with the
country, SO to speak.
Zone thing led to another, and at last
they got talking about mines; and with
that the president gave him a guide, and
sent him off up to d place called Pachu
ca, about sixty or seventy miles north of
the city He moused about there-he
knew something of mining, it APP
pears and examined the mines that
were working, and some others that had
been given up: and at last he fixed on a
bit of ground where there wasn't any
mine at all; but he took a fancy to it
for all that, and went back to Mexico to
see about getting possession of it. He
managed things very cleverly, and got
the swells interested, and made out that
he wanted to let them into good thing,
and would be satisfied with very small
share himself, and would take all the
trouble of looking after the business off
their hands into the bargain. So what
did he do but raise a company, and the
company raised capital-you know
how those things are worked-and they
filed their claim to the land, and ap
pointed him manager, and the first tests
he made showed bigger percentage of
silver than had been known in that
neighborhood for hundred years
THAT was the news my informant
brought me; he said all Mexico was talk
ing of it, and that Mr.. Valentines pick
ings. though they might be small, COM
paratively speaking, were likely to stand
him in cool hundred thousand dollars
a year which is enough to keep man
off the parish"
''Yes, / should think It might, Mr..
Stapleton assented And that's the way
it is in this world, Henry Clifton; luck
goes dead against man for years and
years. and no Les up, and then all Of a
sudden, for mo reason that ever anybody
can find ONT. his brother dies and leaves
him million IN England, and he goes
to Mexico and collars a mine worth
hundred thousand year. The million
amt enough. and the mine amt enough;
he ntlss have EN- both: that's the way
of the world every timer
Mr.. Clifton accepted this s1anenens
without cuumens and went otl with his
story.
.sAs yu1 may snppoaa, lost no dnae
in packing my grip for Mexico, and | got
there in due sRasDn and without accident.
/ put I'D at the best hotel as is always
my way, for 1t costs no more in the end,
and gives nrau good standing at the
first send OF. made my inquiries. in q !
quiet. OF hand way; and ! had no diff-
Guilty at all IN hearing all / wanted Mr.