The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-10

he added, after moments careful scru-
tiny. II reckon that's about the luckiest
shot you ever made. stranger
The stranger acknowledged the truth of
the observation and reached for the little
round piece. Az the gold piece passed
from hand to hand various theories were
advanced to explain the manner in which
II had reached the crop OF the sage hen:
but. as II afterward transpired. they were
all wide OF the mark.
Meanwhile Amelia had turned her atten-
ton to the snipe and then to the second
sage hen.
Pa" she exclaimed. with a look of
frightened amazement. II do believe can
feel something hard In this oner'
While the men crowded eagerly around
the table Amelia proceeded with the dis
section OF the bird Amid a profound ST.
ience she revealed its interior arrange
ments-and another gold dollar!
'Lordy. lordy" quavered the old man
sxcited.y.
"why. pa demonstrated Amelia.
that's swearin'." and without wasting fur
Their words she attacked another Of the
sage hens.
''Blest II them amt more comfortin' an
Ehjah's ravens" laughed Ike.
By the time the third and fourth sage
hens had each produced one gold dollar
the emotions of the Barnhilis and their
gazing at the remains and trying to think
II all out.
At bedtime the old man lighted a can
die and eft the room.
"Wel. be durn" ne kept muttering TO
himself as he climbed the ladder which led
ur 70 the loft: ITS nothin' short OF a MI
rscie.''
Tho garnhilix were early risers. bu: be-
fore they opened their eyes the following
morning the fortunate hunter had left for
hin days sport
81 don't know as anybody can blame
him" xrowied jim. az he started on his
round OF ucrnirg chores '.only Ia like 10
take a few cracks at them gold lined birds.
too"
And II was In very much the "a me strain
that the other members OF the Barnhin
family comsnuned with themselves.
Late that night the hunter returned TO
the ranch. Drawing a chair up be fore the
fire he sat down and fell to studying his
boots In moody silence.
''Didn't you hls nothin'?" 0ueried Ike.
though he could see the bullying game
pockets.
Without replying directly the stranger
drew out xix large birds and laid them
upon the table.
Feel en-" he suggested. In a husky
voice.
This time Amelia wac assisted IN her
Ncrk by the old man and the two boys.
and the Kitchen soon bore the marks Of
the terrible carnage. There was little
said. but they all worked with nervous
energy. while great beads OF preparation
etood cut on the old mans forehead
They thought themselves prepared for
the result, yet with the disclosure OF each
successive gold dollar they cried out in
amazemert TIE Old man wiped his face
on his sleeve and swore joyously while
Amelia was too much occupied TO check
him
Lock here. stranger he at las. faItered
a. he dragged his guest out on the front
porch. II want TO make yo, a proportion,
LET'S all blaze away tomorrow an divide
whatever we get"
The stranger sighed heavily. "oh !f
/ only coui6-' he iamen.ed. But you see
tomorrow II election day. ard | am under
cath to appear In Westcenter."
The cd mar sad nothing further. but
the light Of avar.ce burned In hts faded
eyes
Just like fndfn' money" he unused.
s.I'ra right glad he's gcfn'."
Jim" whispered Ike. when they were
all In bed that night, II reckon we're goan'
10 f0wn tomorrow an put In our first
votesy'
I'm chuckIed.
II reckon we're Eoin' TO put some shot
into them mge herA.- he replied.
With the hrss tinge Of dawn Jordan