Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-10-08
And the stake! /. was not 80 much

'S"uy uuuST buffe1iIauCc. WELL why
not! What was Tom to him now7
The old man cared nothing for gold
ne had said as much. Why not begin
the task OF wealth gathering tonight,
and double his fortune by a single
coup! The gkiff was all ready for the
morrow's Journey down the river. He
could easily reach North Fork by day
light, and miles OF distance would be
between him and Tom before the latter
could make the trip across the almost
impossible mountain trail. He weak
ened Tor moment as he thought Of
Toms almost motherly solicitude--of
now throughout their wanderings the
big-hearted miner had borne the brunt
OF the struggle. Even when the treas
ure was discovered the old mans irst
words were: I'm glad for your sake,
Billy" Then he asked himself If he.
too, was growing sentimental. and 20
night. of all nights. on the very eve
OF battle.
He walked back to the house. Tom
was fast asleep. The Pickering light
OF the lantern fell aslant the corner
where he lay, his powerful form half
swsthed In the tattered blankets. his
brawny arms thrown above his head.
The face, from which sleep seemed to
have smoothed away the deep burrows,
mirrored the rugged honesty of his
heart. But the touching picture meant
nothing to Billy. who watched the
sleeper for an instant and then pro-
eeeded to put bis cowardly scheme in
to effect 1t WAS but the work OF a
few minutes to gather together the
things necessary for the short journey
down the river and to secure the treas
ure for safe transportation. There
was look OF cunning triumph on his
face as he completed his preparations
He was thinking OF the surprise await
ing Tom, who had been ''fool enough
TO believe in human friendship"
He made cautious step toward the
door of the shack, when a slight noise,
real or fancied. caused him to glance
back over his shoulder. The next in
slant the bag of gold crashed TO the
floor. while billy sank on his knees.
as though felled by blow. Tom was
sitting bolt upright in bed, his revolver
leyeled at Billy's heart.
The two gazed at each other mo-
ment in utter silence Billy's eyes,
fixed with the penetration born Of de-
siair, scanned the old mans face and
read there reproach and pity, rather
than a thirst for swift revenge. This
somewhat treasured him, and he rosa
20 his feet.
Well" he said hlunuy, what dc
you intend to do?"
SO" said Tom. with long breath
Il WIZ mistook in you. after all. To
think that / gave you my friendship
an you want worth it. What be
going to do7 What do men usu'lly d.
when pardner turns theft"
You wouldn't shoot me, Tom?"
Why not? Mems been killed fel
less an this. an the world wuz vel
red of EN-"
! Then 1t did mean death.
AS Billy realized this his face turned
/ ashen pale. while palsying terro
i struck through him, rending his brav
! ado mask and revealing him as tn,
pitiable bastard he was. He cowere;
before the old man. pleading hyster
ically.
'oh. spare me. spare me, Tom. Yol
said you cared nothing for gold. Will
IL was mad with love of it, 1t is m,
god-my heaven-my everything. Blu
take It, take II all-only give me m,
life-Tom-I-I-can't-die."
Git upr' commanded the Other
coldly. Don't make me despise yo
wor.e'n l do. What would you do
you wuz in my place? Shoot, wouldn'
your You'd kill me now II you ha
the chance"
But think. Tom. what life means :
me; I'm young and"
Think what friendship meant {
me, Billy. I'm old"
In the momentary silence that FOL
lowed the pines and the river could b
d heard singing their old song. unheed
d ing of the strife of mortals for a scra
h of the treasure they guarded. Tol
" heard the song. and his bitterness
e seemed to go out with the weird me
" ody. The hand that held the weapo
II dropped listlessly TO his side.
I'm spar yer life," he said, hoars'
h ly: you kin 60"
J. Billy stood moment as though
o had not heard.
le "Yer free. Cor said Tom.
% The boy glanced from the old ma
IS TO the bag OF gold and then turns
Ie slowly toward the doorway.
t 'You better take yer pile now" sa'
70 Tom. quietly, las reckon you won
'e be comm back"
AZ "Do you mean it," gasped Billy.
y Certainly: half's yourn, Amt Il
" There's only one thief in this cam
III ant amt me-"
" Tom proceeded to open the bag, ar
~ roughly divided the contents.
10 "You can take the boat; that go
y with your half As fer me" he adde
," In q voice that wavered In spite
himself, "I'll do what I'd a done
'e you'd robbed me. I'll stay awhile lo'
70 ger with the mountains au' the rive