Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-07-10

THEM THE STORY OF HIS Dis
CARD.
They were "pardners,' and whether the
claim was paying or losing it mattered
not; both were apparently happy and con-
tented. Occasionally Pete would start
out OH a jag to do the town, but Jim
would scurry around and eventually cor
raj his companion before serious trouble
had commenced. One night after a par
tcularIy hard days work, Jim noticed
that his pardner was quleter than usual,
seemingly lost in a study-something
quite unlike his nature.
What yer thinking about, Pete?" :
Fine gal at the Big Ruby Cafe Just
came up on the boat this morning. l am
dead stuck on her. Told her my pros
poets but couldn't get next She said
looked like a boozer and wouldn't tie UP
to anything but a steady Well, l did
have wind 'on me to-day, and the
ticker wasn't particularly good, either;
but it's the best at the diggings and Il
teller can't be too particular way out
here"
1t was Pete's turn to get breakfast the
next morning, but after starting the fire
himself on the plea of not feeling well and
went out for a short walk. Thinking he
simply NEEDED 'bracer," Jim said moth
ing and finished getting the meal. Late
in the morning he hunted him up, slowly
wandering up and down the avenue,
glancing occasionally into the saloons
and dance halls enroute, and winding up
at the Big Ruby" He found Pete,
y ha ad -tolly IN
the new girl His pardner did not no.
tice him until he came up, bowling awk-
wardly to the girl and apologizing for
the Intrusion. No wonder Pete was
gore 'sh1TRe girl was tall and 1.-THE, with
a beautiful figure, and her sunburnt
cheeks and neck were as moulded bronze.
Her hair, jet black and wavy, was caught
carelessly in a loose knot at the back
one OF those striking effects which is
the despair of the professional beauty.
Her eyes-well, Jim only caught a glance
and it fairly fioored him.
IT like your pardner, Pete" she said
after Jim had gone. He seems like a
steady fellow, and they're the only kind
that's any good nowadays" with tinge
of sadness in her voice.
Time sped on. Pete's visits to the Big
Ruby grew less frequent, and he even
stopped drinking for a while. Patty-for
that was the name she gave-seemed TO
take quite fancy to Pete, and strove to
| keep him straight but with little sue
cess. Things went from bad to worse,
ana finally one night after supper Pete
broke out:
It's no use The gal won't have me,
and L amt got sense enough to see it.
If it wasn't for the booze! Guess we'd
better light out, pard. and stake another
further up the creek"
! Jim for moment was lost in study
During the fast fitting weeks he had
learned to love Patty, but in the solicit
tation for his pard, he did not realize
how far his passion had carried him
+; Pete noticed his hesitation.
| Il guess 1 know your reason" he said
bitterly. after a long pause Yer kind O.
stuck on Patty, too, but yer don't want
to tell me. It's all right, though, old
man. Yer never tried to do me, nd yer
| square as they make EN- Now, look
a-here, Patty said she'd marry me if 1
took the pledge, and I know she'd have
| you, too. if you'd ask her. Wen just
| deal a cold hand, and the Teller as makes
the strike will take the gal and the
| claim
| Done, said Jim, seemingly relieved by
| the frank manner of his pard.
! Patty was willing. and quietly said she
really liked jim the besr, but thought
| she ought to stick to Pete. and keep him
| straight.
1t didn't take long to get up the game.
| They went up TO the shack where the
! men lived. and Patty was the audience.
The loser agreed to quit the claim and
get out the next morning.
IDEAL 'em mp. salt Pete .'and don't
| fcxxet the stakes. /" smfling at Patty, Who