, 1896-08-04
SCOOPED.

It vas high noon in the Rockies. The
bright, scorching rays of the western
SUI stole over the ragged edge of the
CGur d'Alene range down into the
narrow valley below, where they light
ed on the head of Il solitary Traveller.
tired and dust worn from his long jour
ney since daybreak. Bob Long was not
accustomed to such iaunts as this-that
was cvidcnt. Yet i'll a measure he was
enjoying il. In any event, after coming
into Rocky Canyon for the privilege Of
~"rOughing it, he had no intention of
going back on the venture at this stage
of the game. A two weeks vacation,
during which he need not turn III Il line
of copy, did not come but once annual
ly, and it was not to be wasted III back
ward glances. But he was tired, and the
little beast under him did not possess
the most rCstful Of movements. Then,
too, the road was loncly-fcarfully so.
Bob began to wonder how he had man
aged to miss all the camps. for he knew
he was in the heart of Ill extensive min.
ing district. He kept travelling simply
because he could not be satisfied to stop
until he had arrived at some definite
understanding with himself i'll regard
to his location. Now he was all at sea.
The narrow trail wound around the
side of u Craggy mountain, then dipped
into the valley again. The elevation
disclosed to view an approaching horse
man riding with the case of long prac-
tice. Five minutes later the men halted
to exchange greetings.
Hello, stranger! Prospectin?"
swell, yes. a little. Prospecting foi
pleasure"
Sorry to disappoint you, stranger,
but you won't find it in these ere dig
gins. Rocky canyon don't produce
nothin but hard work and disappOint-
ment. Don't wen roll ont 'nough dust
to keep II Teller in chawin tobaccer. /
can testify to that. Been here goin on
three year now.'
Bob looked incredulous.
your report doesn't agree with the
rumors that find their way out Of this
canyon"
Fact, jest the same. Mighty poor
place fer Il stranger to locate
Bob began to surmise his presence
was not desired in Rocky Canyon by
this experienced inhabitant.
''How far il; it to the nearest mining
camp" he asked.
"Juck Duolan's is down there a spell.
But I'd advise you to keep out o Jacks
camp fer Tie time bcin. Teller murdered
there this mornin. and there's u mighty
warm reception waitin fer any stranger
that happens to turn up durin the next
three days. Better give 'cm u chance to
cool off Il little"
Bob's r%cportorial instincts took u
lively turn.
"Who was he?" he asked.
'Jim Smith"
MAN of any prominence"
"You bet he was. Owned half the
claim"
Wealthy"
Somewhat" m%eaningly.
"Who killed him?"
That's what they're tryin to find
out down to jacks"
"What induced the act?"
Cant tell you any more. Jest advise
you to keep clear o. Jack Doolan's till
some other cur'us fool S paid the penalty.
Good day, stranger"
But Bob was not to be frightened into
abandoning his trip. Besides, here vas
n scoop for The Meteor, and the value
of a scoop to that enterprising sheet was
not to be ignored. Bob resolved to 20
on and trust to luck and his own adroit-
ness to save his neck. The stranger had
shown too much anxiety for his peaceful
departure for him to give full credence
to the story, and before Bob had ridden
a mile he had thoroughly convinced
himself that he had conversed with the
real murderer provided that the whole
thing was not u fake, and that by con-
tinuing his journey he would be the
means of the capture and punishment of
the escaping criminal.
Another mile and he came to a camp.
That part of the travellers information
was correct ut least, and inquiry quick
" 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
ing, but Jim Smiths murderer had al
ready been unprecedented. and, from the
bootless feet Bob discovered dangling
in the breeze back of the camp, had evil
IDENTIFY met with lofty treatment. At
any rate, some one had paid the penal
~, and Bob had nothing to fear.
1t made a great story for The Meteor.
Being OH the ground. Bob got all the
details, and they needed no embellish-
ing. He did not rest until he had the
story on the wires. though it necessitat.
ed an extra ten miles OH horseback to
Jimtown, the nearest telegraph station.
But The Meteor appreciated 1t, and that
was sufficient.
The next day Bob returned to jack
W CMDVYVD