The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-18


placer"
The fellow grinned at me, as though
there had been something In my words
Of an amusing nature; but finally he did
give me the desired information;
"Why, / guess maybe Jake Hunsicker
kin take you over. He's just gettin' in
the oats, but IL you pay him, p'raps he'll
leave the oats be long enough 70 drive
10 Jacksonville and back. Anyway, he
kin take you after supper, II you wanter
wait till then"
"And where does Mr.. Hunsicker live?"
/ asked.
The agent pointed to clump of trees
on the summit OF hill about quarter
OF mile distant. you kin see just
part OF the roof through the trees. The
road runs uphill right past the house.
How about these things while am
gone? VIII they be safe?" inquired.
ooh, yes; no one'll take EN-. TIN be
all right" he replied, indifferently, as
though he did not care whether my lug
gage would be secure or not. Then he
gave one more glance at me, grinned in
his dull way, sprang from the platform,
/ and went OF down the ROAD.
All the country for miles about Mel
sonville had been familiar TO my boy
hood. But now, after an absence Of IS
years, could hardly recognize this part
OF II.
The railroad had been built some five
years before, and that made, In itself,
great change. The station was in a
valley, and the fertile fields and dark
green forests on the bounding hills were
all very beautiful.
But, as there were few houses, and
those in the distance, there was a
loneliness about the place which seemed
20 find a counterpart in my life. For
/ was n social Ishmael. an outcast, bur
dened with the suspicion of crime OF
which / was innocent. The fact that
nothing could be proved against me, in
the minds Of most people, only indi-
Gated that / was such an adept in
roguery as to be able 20 cover up all
proof of my guilt.
IL was now year that the cloud had
rested over my good name. The first
six months OF this time had vainly at
tempted 20 live down the general sus-
picion. But found the houses OF even
those had considered true friends
closed against me, and so, heart-sore
and almost despairing, fed TO Europe,
hoping 20 find partial forgetfulness, or
at least rest from cruel tongues. I'm
| fortunately for my peace, Americans
read the newspapers, and j had only TO
| mention my name 20 my countrymen
whom / met during my trip abroad 70
. be asked IL was the one whose name
: was mentioned in connection with the
: great bank robbery in Philadelphia. /
soon tired of this and of being compelled
. 70 tell over and over again the circum-
r stances OF that affair, so resolved TO &c
! back 10 my native land, avoid the city
: where / was so well and so unfavorably
E known, and seek rest and peace amid
: the scenes of my childhood. i also de-
termined. after my arrival, 10 begin q
Y thorough investigation OF the robbery
on my own hook. The reason / hao
I not done this before will be stated later
= The solitude OF Sidington, the lack
Of welcoming hand, the knowledge
c that had outgrown all boyish esti
2 mates and would therefore find the ole
/ homestead no longer encompasseC
! about by the romantic interest which
youngsters mind was able 20 conjur'
q up--all this did not tend 10 raise my de
! pressed spirits, and my heart was heav,
within me as 1 plodded up the long
= dusty hill toward the home OF Mr.. Hun
sicker.
a A delicious breeze was blowing at th'
: top OF the hill, and paused momeu
. under the shade of the naples. 20 bar
my perspiring brow 20 the cool In
fluence.
Then / slowly walked up the shad.
: path leading 10 the porch, keeping m,
hat In my hand. hoped Mr.. Hunsicke
would be at the house for dinner, 70
Z, I determined not 20 go out into the no
:. fields TO search for him.
A knock at the open front door causes
> an interruption in the clatter OF diahe
!, which proceeded from On inner room
= and very soon shutting footsteps M
I. preached the door.
!. A tall, stoop-shouldered individual
dressed in brown cotton shirt, blu
= overalls and cowhide boots, doomed Y
a out OF the gloom Of the darlxened rooms
From the look Of astonishment on th
- mans face when he saw me, judge
~ the advent OF stranger was rare %
currence TO this household.
"wnl you haul me and trunk
IA Nelsonville?" / asked.
w My question produced blanker star
a. from the old fellow. and his jaws, whic
~ had been busy masticating a mouthf'
~ OF food. ceased operations. gave hi
of time, and, when he had partially r
AZ covered from his surprise, again AZ
dressed him.
II $40 you understand English9"
he asked.
III Zach. y-e-e-s indeed" he replied, al
~ ar he had hastily swallowed the food.
"And Ia YOUR name IIunsicker-Jace