The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-25
THE ANGEL OF JUNIPER GULCH.
"Goin' up ther gulch, strangerg"
By MRS. r. A. REYNOLDS.

.'Goin' up ther gulch, stranger"
The young man addressed turned
quickly from his survey of tho fast reced-
ing train and the wall of mountains to
which IL seemed Fastening, and beheld a
tall, lank indiy idual, dressed in rather
dirty suit OF blue overalls, with a red cot
ton handkerchief around his neck, while
the striking combination of colors was
completed by broad brim felt hat OF
bright yellow. surInounting a big head
covered by n shock of coarse reddish hair
The face beneath the hat was not bad 10
look at, for the blue eyes were keen and
sparkled with humor as he glanced the
stranger over noting his mystifed air
with great delight.
~ beg your pardon said the young
man, II did not quite catch your mean
ing"
The tall Missourian shifted q quid of
tobacco frcm one cheek 10 the other and
squirted mouthful of juice dangerously
near the well blacked shoes of his com
panion, as he muttered "IenderfootV
Then as he saw the traveller about 10
speak, ne added aloud, II said. be yer
goin' up ther gulch ter camp, or down
ther valley thar"
"Ohw exclaimed the young man com
pretending; II was intending to go up
To the reduction camp at Glendale, but 1
do not see any conveyance Perhaps you
know of some way l can get there ! pre-
sumo could walk as 1 understand 1t Is
only about five miles, but i must have
some Of my luggage at once.
''Iasl 7" remarked the other reiisctlvely,
ether is q stage goes up thar every night
1t ought ter ben here l reckon it's ben
Rendered. Powerful poor wheelin just
nowl"
Breaking upg' suggested the stranger
"Yas; mighty nigh as bad in ther
spring as 'tis in ole Missouri, but onct the
roads get settled, ther amt no better in
ther world Theirs ther stage now ~ he
added, pointing up the road.
The young man looked and saw lum'
bsring vehicle drawn by four horses COM
ing at quite rapid rate through the
mud the driver flourishing long whip
with many profane CALCULATIONS as he
urged the tired animals over rickety
bridge
Refining up at the station platform he
jumped down and dumped box o: ex-
press and big mail bag, which the sta
tion agent Immediately dragged into his
Office.
No one had come down to take train,
which the Missourian informed tho
stranger was an unusual occurrence. Ii
was not long before the stage was ready
TO return to camp, and the solitary pas,
senger turned To say goodby 10 his social
acquaintance.
II am glad to have met you while wait
ing" he said courteously, MAY l know
your nameg Mine is Leon Granger.
''Sartainp % replied the Missourian with
n good natured grin. But mine amt
nigh so fine name; it's jest plain Bill
Thompson -
"Well, Mr.. Thompson, said Mr..
Granger, Offering his hand, II hope l
shall see you again, rs stay about here
some months.
Likely as not we'll run acrost one
another agin, for I'm alters around on
the ranges or in some o ther camps,
said Mr.. Thompson, AS he heartily shook
the hand of the traveller.
The driver cracked his wip, and they
were of, the sole occupant OF the stage
looking with as much interest as his
fatigue would allow, at the gray hills and
the mountains beyond that met the sky
and shut out the rest of the world.
1t seemed long and tiresome ride on
account of the heavy roads, and Mr..
Granger was extremely glad when they
drew up before red brick building, and
the driver shouted, ''Wall, yere we air -
Ii was dusk by this time and feeble
lights cleaned here and there one light
ing the entrance 10 the building.
which the driver told him was the best
hottie in camp.
The landlord appeared promptly and
led him to his room, where he soon made
ready for supper, which he found to be
abundant and well cooked, and 10 n
hungry man it mattered not If the cloth
were coarse and not entirely fresh.
MIR. Granger attended TO the business
finland until his appetite was satisfied,
and then seeing his landlord lingering in
the room, addressed him.
''Is Superintendent Kirkland in camp
nowg" he asked. Il reckon SO, )" was the
reply. ''He came back from the East
4. In. L. al
here except when he Is up to the camp
above or over 60 Butte on short bust
ness trip. lis his office near here y'
was the next question.
"Oh, yes Everything in camp is near
here There's nothing but the one street,
and there's no other business of any ac-
count here but the Reduction Works.
Mr.. Granger thanked the man and re-
marked as he rose, II shall want break
fast early ut what time can be servedy"
''At any hour between six and ten
o'clock sir" answered the landlord
briskly. Hope you will pass comfort
able night sirp
The genial landlords kindly wish was
prophecy, for his guest was much too
tired TO notice the deficiency of springs
and hair mattresses. The bright sun
shine OF n glorious new day mt last aroused
him, and he arose in haste performed a
hurried toilette and descended To break
last, Wnere coarse plenty aWaltcu MIN.
Breakfast dispatched, Mr. Granger was
not long in getting out on the street, and
wandering down the hill, discovered the
Office of the superintendent of the com
pany, and entered, meeting gentleman
just coming out.
he lifted his hat with courteous
apology as he brushed Mr.. Granger In
passing ana was going on, when the latter
Inquired:
.'Can you tell me, is superintendent
kirkland imp
Il am hel" said the gentleman paus-
ing. And you---2"
II am Leon Granger was the reply, as
he handed a card to Mr.. kirkland.
"Mr. Granger" exclaimed Mr. Kirk
land. II am delighted co SEQ you 20
promptly | was saying only this morn-
ing TO MIR. Ellison that 1 hoped you were
on your way out, az the owners of che
mines are anxious for our decision. Come
and we will have talk; my other errand
can wait for the present!
lie led the way within, and offering his
guest an easy Office chair, he tipped back
In another and opened the conversation by
asking ABOUT Mr.. Changers journey.
From this they passed easily 20 the object