The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-11
A LONG SHOT.

ing broad stretch of broken country dan
gerous even in daylight, because Of the
gaping pits and assures. half hidden by
long, rank heritage. marking the site of the
once famous Bulls Toe claims ere the tide
of perennial dupes with which Che old
world lavishly supplies the new had
drifted away to other hunting grounds.
Gold there never had been at Bulls Toe:
but nevertheless 1t could boast an attrac-
ton nearly as potent. at this period of its
decline, in the person of Miss Sarah Du-
bleek, a treasure far above nuggets the
sphere of her influence extending even to
Jaggersville. with it's twelve dwelling
houses and railway station. through which
no fewer than three trains ran daily.
Why that especial branch of the Grand
National had ever been constructed few
could tell. It is just possible it may have
owed it's existence to a pathetic faith in the
golden promise of the time. but more prob
ably it was simply an added feature in the
gigantic farce which had ruined thousands
and filled the pockets of the New York
swindlers. However, it proved useful some
times by relieving the main line of freight
traffic for about two hundred miles the
length of its winding course. until it joined
the Grand National again a little below
Topeka
Mr.. Peter Jackson the gentleman who
discharged the duties Of telegraph clerk
and stationmaster, was naturally a person
of considerable leisure. and as he soon
made the acquaintance of Miss Dubieek he
quite as naturally spent much of the time
in which he was so rich at Bee ranch, a
farm run by Seth Dubleek and his fasci-
mating sister, under the supervision of their
widowed mother, whose husband had been
the straightest shot and toughest citizen
of the Bulls Toe district before a regretta-
BILE misunderstanding with equally emil
nent celebrity, Nebraska Ben, obliged him
to make a hurried. though dramatic, exit
from the little stage wi.ereon he had played
strenuous part.
An acquaintance of this nature ripens
rapidly into intimacy beneath the genial
skies of Kansas, and so evident were Mr..
Jacksons attentions that the sports of Jag
gersville began to lay heavy odds on the
probability of an early marriage, for it was
clearly seen that he was first favorite, out
dstancing even 'Kiah Dewberry, the min
1ster's son, who had taught Sally to manip-
ulate the banjo.
But what is the banjo to the bicycle,
which II had been Jackson's privilege to in
troduce to her notice? For if the mere act
of instructing a pretty girl in the one ac-
complishment constitutes an opportunity,
what pen can do justice to the glorious
possibilities involved in teaching her the
other?
Sally's performances on the saddle, and
the 'vivacties" accompanying them pres
entity excited much comment that finally
bore it's ripened fruit in a pointed allusion
TO rocks of scandal from Rev. Mr. Dew
cry some Sundays later. and Mr.. Jack
son was henceforth regarded as fair gam,
for the local gossps-a circumstance which
seemed only to give him fresh claims on
the young lady's consideration, while his
rivals incensed beyond measure, openly
mentioned bowie knives in this connection
and no one expressed the least astonish-
ment when; one dus1y evening. the Of
Tending bicycle was found lying hopelessy
ruined on the Jaggersville road beside the
body of it's insensble owner, lasso, still
tightly stretched across the way eloquently
explaining the situation.
If Sallys other suitors were responsible
for this it simply accelerated the catas-
trophe they wished to avert, because, even
before Mr.. Jackson's arm was out of
sphnts. it became generally known that the
belle of Bulls Toe had at length chosen q
mate, and that his first name was Peter.
The bicycle lessons were not resumed but
the bicycle lamp. having escaped the gen.
eral wreck, suggested to the ingenious clerk
another amusement, quieter and more suit
ed for the lengthening September evenings
II consisted in flash signal method OF
communication based upon a carefully pre-
pared code which Miss Dubleek learned
rapidly. and ere long they we're enabled to
exchange soft nothings literally over their
neighbors' heads. across the good half mile
.f fia. 10
whenever the inclemency of the weather
or the eccentricities of the train service
kept Mr.. Jackson prisoner al the station
From this point Onward all should haze
gone merry the marriage bell If tho
course of true love had not been damned
by one of those misunderstanding which
make, IL not the fortunes, at least the stock
in trade of novelette, writer's
Some short time before. when Mr.. Jack
son was operating at Big Timbers, he. with
many other prominent citizens, offered in
cense at the shrine of the local beauty, one
tnrb s o raa s gr % vi kegS Se{
on the telegraph service, and spent most OF
her time ringing up her numerous admirers
lations. Mr.. jackson had been admitted &c
q considerable degree of intimacy and in.
deed, had occupied, week or two before
his transfer to Jaggersville. the position OF
accepted sutton. for Rosie. though not an
English maid, had mastered thoroughly the
Invaluable engagement system. Since his
promotion she sent him several rallyine
messages. over the wires, and Judging from
his replies that he meditated detection, the
enterprising damsel, supported by heI
mamma. quietly made n voyage of discov-
cry to Jaggersville, and descended one fine
morning, upon the unhappy clerk as he
was engaged revising the aforementioned
signal code.
Prudence. as well as politeness caused
Peter to feign rapturous delight, and from
that moment until the blessed one tive
evenings later, when his visitors took theil
departure, he was in close attendance upon
ha fo riy,1ha in have
the fiourshing town and unfolding for hel
the natural beauties of Dead Dog Canyon
Rosie professed herself much pleased
with the trip, and they parted tenderly
though had Peter seen the look upon hel
face as the last Jaggersville signal pos
glded past the darkening carriage win
dows he would not have felt quite SO self
satisfied when flashing, FIVE minutes after
to Bee ranch: Big freight. Detained OF
business again"
Intelligence of this visit having reached
Miss Dubleeks ears she promptly felt ag
grieved, though with feminine subtlety sh,
dissembled her indignation and contriveC
pretenses the gulf widening between Peter
and herself until its dimensions were bu
family Swallowed forth by those of the
great canyon. Finally, to further mark hel
displeasure, she ceased even the signals
they were accustomed to exchange every
evening by the aid of the domestic ,paraffiT
lamp.
Pride and the consciousness that Miss
O'Crady possessed painfully compromisne
documentary evidence, withheld Mr.. Jack
son from demanding or making the EEK
PLANTATION" Of tradition. and the odd.
ished.
Things were In this posture when one