The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-04-15
AT FURBER'S CAMP.
"what! Take Bessie away? What d 'ye

meanp''
Just what said, )" replied the lawyer
coolly. "Sit down, Mr.. Morrissey, and
listen to what l have to say. Eighteen
years ago George Chadwick, book keeper
for a large importing firm in New York
city, married young lady of his acquaint-
ance. Chadwick was of a jealous DISPOSE
ton, hasty and hot tempered, and after
two years of stormy welded life his wife
fed from him, taking with her their year
old child. Chadwick made no effort to
trace them, devoted himself to his bust
ness, was admitted to the firm and by
perseverance and shrewdness amassed a
large fortune. Four years ago he died and
left will bequeathing everything he pos
sessed to his child if living. If not found
in five years. his entire property was to re-
vert to numerous charitable organizations
I was appointed executor. / employed de-
tectives, who traced Mrs. Chadwick and
her child to the west, where she had gone
with the evident intention of seeking a
home with her brother, who owned ranch
in Colorado. All trace of her was lost
after reaching Ju1esburg until the past
month, when it was discovered that the
mother was dead and the child living with
q miner at Furber's Camp named Morris
sey-yourself-and regarded as his daugh-
ter. have come to you to claim that child
and take her to her proper home.''
"And if she does not choose to CO."
asked Morrissey hoarsely, what them"
'Then / shall invoke the aid of the law.
And as the young lady is not yet of age she
shall be compelled to accompany me, +" re-
piled Hadley.
claw, lawr' cried Dan passionately.
Remember, yer not in tn east now. We
know no law but tn law of right, and if
Bessie's says tibet she stays, by -, she
stays. -
The speakers were interrupted by the
opening of the door from the adjoining
room, and Bessie, pale death, crossed to
where Morrissey sat, and, placing her arm
affectionately around the old mans neck,
eaid: dad, heard all. You are the only
parent ever knew. You have been kind
er to me than it appears my real father
possibly could be. My place is here with
you, and here I shall stay
Bessie, said Dan tenderly, with mois-
tened eyes, 81 promised yer dyin mother I d
be father to ye, and I've done my best.
Me and Stenzel-him tibet you know as
Dutchy-was ranchin down near tn Platte
when we found you two one evenin, she
layin senseless and dyin and We babby
at her breast. We carried ye to our shanty,
and she died tibet night But afore she
died she made me swear tibet I'd bring We
, up as my own daughter. She told me yer
name was Bessie, but wouldn't tell tn
last name, and she gave me some paper.
tibet I promised not to tech till you were OF
age, and VIXEN svcre to keep my prom.
ises she died happy. We buried her ON tn
ranch, and afterward I came up into tn
hills, where I've prospered. And now,
Bessie, you know all. y
Yes, dad. And If my dear mother can
look down and see us now, she knows
you've kept your promise. AS for you, u
said the girl scornfully to Hadley, "you
ask me to give up dad, who has always
loved-yes, worshiped me-and go east &c
live on the money of the man whose cruel
ty killed my mother. You have had my
| answer, sir. There is the door. Col"
''And do you think that 1 shall accept
that decision:' said the lawyer furiously
"What! To find you after four years search
| and then give up position of $40, 600 6
| year as your guardian; to have Chadwick
| money distributed among lot of hypocrit
| ical psalm singersl You do not know Pc
ter Hadley,'' sneeringly. You belong te
| me by law, and I'll have you by fair means
| or foul
| rissey threateningly. Bessie has chosen
| fair and square atween US, and ye should
| bide by it. If ye try any foul business
| yell find we hev a way here in the hill
| of settlin such things thet might not b,
! agree BILE toye"
'tYour threats do not brighten me, sir,
| the lawyer said, rising and preparing to de
part. ''You shall hear from me again
and sooner perhaps than you expect" and
the door slammed behind him.
''I'm Uneasy about tibet Teller, Bess, >
| said Morrissey after the lawyer had gone
| "J'u run down and let tn boys on tn
| c'1nittee of safety know what's been goiI
on and give MIR. Hadley warnin to leav,
camp
There was no doubt as to how tn,
| "boys'' on the COMMITTEE of safety fell
! about the matter. AS Bill Brandt hac
said: 81 ;fess up tibet l see on'y one way t.
fix this thing c'rectly. Miss Bessie ha
| spoke her piece and thet settles it. View
| got to give this law jerker jest "a hour
| to leave camp, and if he's here after the
| any one es wants to speak to him II hev t.
| bring ladder. !"
| The mods and expressions of approya
| from the rest of the committee showed
that all were of the same mind.
Brandt, Stencil and Morrissey were del
| egated to wait on Hadley and inform hin
of the committees decision.
| On inquiry at the Conglomerate it wa
ascertained that Hadley had concluded no
to stay there overnight, but had purchased
horse and started up the mountain to
| ward Morrissey's cabin.
| The three committeeman stared blank,
| at each other, and then, as if with one i'm
| pulse, hurried from the ''hotel.'' The.
had not proceeded hundred yards whel
there was a sound of rapidly approaching
| hoof beats, and moment later a horsemal
| flashed past bearing burden on his arm
A momentary struggle and a feminin
| shrek of "Help!' left no doubt as to VIII,
the riders were. Hadley had KIDNAPPED
| Bessie.
| There was hurried dash for horses, ant
| in five minutes dozen horselnen were IL
hot pursuit of the fugitives, Morrissey a
their head with lariat around his waist
| Two hours later the horsemen returned
| Bessie in MOrrissey's arms.
The next issue of the Silver Creek Boom
| er contained an item reading as follows.
| "There was flare up over at Furber'
last Wednesday night. law Singing
| dude from the effete tried to steal DaI
Morrissey's daughter Bess, but the boy
corralled him before he got down thu
mountain, and in the storm that followed
the tenderfoot got struck by lightning"
| Any interested person that investigate
would have discovered that the eight
ning'' had left wide black mark arounl
Hadley's neck,-Boston Post,