The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-04
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL N. HARLEM.
Icopyrigh, 1896. by J. B. LlpplncOt, Col
CHAPTER xvII.-coNrrSUEp.


thoughtfully for a moment, then she
went on: II really believe this Richard
N. Strong did my brother great
wrong. They were equal partners in
several small mining ventures in Col
orado 20 years ago and seemed to get
along pretty well together. but IL hap
pened that just at the time they were
trying to get possession Of certain
tract OF silver mining land which my
brother was confident would enrich
them both Tom was compelled TO re-
turn to New York on important BUSH
ness of his own. Now, my brother,
Thomas Farleigh, was known to be an
exceptionally good judge of mineral in
dications, and il often happened that
when he showed interest In property
the owners would refuse TO sell at any
reasonable price. So, in this case, Mr..
Strong proposed 10 him that he be not
known in the transfer at all, but that
he leave in his hands'his part OF the pur-
chase money and let the property be
made over TO him while Tom was in
New York. My brother thought IL a
good idea and consented, leaving all his
savings, something over $1,000, with
Strong, simply on the assurance that on
his return he should have a deed 10 a
half interest in the property.
"Strong no doubt meant 10 be honest,
and i believe only an accident TO my
brother prevented him from being so.
On Toms way to New York he fell from
a train at Cincinnati, struck his head
against stone and was taken insensi-
BILE TO hospital. The doctors said his
skull was fractured and he became in
sane. From the hospital 1 had him
taken to a private asylum, where 1 re-
NAMED with him as long as l could.
After left Cincinnati Mr.. Strong heard
of the accident and went to see him.
NV brother did tot recognize him, and,
believing that Tom would never be re-
stored to his right mind, Mr.. Strong
said nothing TO anyone about the money
put into his hands by my brother. He
vent ahead and organized big COM
pany OF eastern capitalists to operate
the mine. They struck rich vein, and
Strong became wealthy at once.
about five years Afterwards a skill
full surgeon trepanned my brothers
skull, relieved the pressure on the brain
and restored his reason. Tom, OF course,
remembered the last transaction with
his old partner, and, hearing OF Strong's
great success, at once set about trying
TO recover an interest in his fortune.
Mr.. Strong was not, believe, very bad
man, and he would have been willing
20 undo what he had done, but TO divide
his profits with my brother would have
been an open admission OF guilt, so he
disputed the claim.
"Tom told me often that Strong pri-
vately offered him Mt one time $4,000
as n settlement OF oil claims against
him, but that he had Indignantly re-
fused Il. Another time Strong offered
him $4,000. They were alone in my
brothers room in hotel in Denver.
Tom answered the proposal by strik-
ing Strong in the mouth and shooting
at him as he ran downstairs.
"Strong escaped uphurt, but my
brother was arrested and tried for at
tempting manslaughter. AZ the trial
Tom made a statement of his wrongs,
but Mr.. Strong brought proof that tho
claimant had been in an insane asylum
and testified that he had never been
wholly restored. He even pleaded for
Toms relense on that score, and was
praised in the papers for so doing. My
brother was let of with a small fine, but
the wrong ranked in his mind, and for
the past IS years he has thought OF
nothing but getting even with the man
who had wronged him.
"He has had no regular employment,
but has lived in a sort OF hand-to-mouth
way in several cities in the east and
west. Most people thought his mind
impaired, but believe he Is as sensible
n he ever was. have n small income,
and for five years-since my husband
died-he has lived with me. He has
been studying hypnotism for the last
two years, and experimenting on every
ou- who would allow IL. AT first did
not object, because II seemed TO keep !
him interested; but lately he has almost
frightened me with his wonderful skill. !
He can make people do anything he
wishes. and on Friday nights the neigh |
bors come in this parlor 10 hear him
Talk and witness his experiments. They |
always give him money, and so / could !
not object, as Il Is now the only way he
has of earning anything"
"You say that of late he has fright
ened you with his experiments?' said
Hendricks. "would you mind telling