Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-10-20

harping Of the wind IN the plne-tops,
and the finest tribute the tears OF John
Mills. Then the grave was rounded
over, the participants-all but one
withdrew, and that night the moon
shone down on a solitary figure, sit
ting by mound, his head bowed IN his
D.; hands. "Ioo late. too late" the figure
murmured. "We're rich, my pardner
and me, and it won't do him no good"
Nor was Mills speaking idly, for,
clutched in the rigid fingers of Rube,
John had discovered a fragment of
| quartz threaded and bound by wires of
virgin gold.
The next day Mills was. In Denver.
His first visit was to a mining expert
somewhat familiar with the district.
"The Millennium" said John, pointing
over his shoulder in the general direc'
ton Of Rocky Canon, "she's fur sale.
The price is two hundred thousand.
Take her or leave her."
Next he took his way to a lawyer.
"Draw me up one of them papers" he
said, maxim over to Susan Campbell,
of Missouri, half-interest in the Mil
lennium."
"What consideration" asked the
man Of business.
Consideration? Why, for my pard-
ner, of course"
Necessary explanations followed, and
the consideration was placed at $40,
which Mills conscientiously took out
Of one pocket and put into another.
'It's best to have every thing on the
squar'," he thought.
"Want this recorded" continued the
lawyer, when the dips, spurs, and
angles had been described with tech
nical nicely.
"Not fur a SPELL" replied Mills. "Jest
give it to me-" An hour later he was
on an east-bound train.
He reached little town in Missouri.
AS he walked the streets, he thought,
with strange thrill Of affection, that
he was where Rube had been "born
and raised" Every villager knew the
residence of Henry Campbell, and soon
Mills was ringing the bell. The door
was opened by young woman-Sue!
But surely not the Sue of Rubes
dreams and his own imaginings. She
was pretty, in careless way, but her
wrapper was begrimed, her slippers,
one Of which protruded displayed a
hole, and her hair was in papers. Mills
was shocked and puzzled. The girl
said "Good morning." and awaited de-
velopments.
'I'm from out West" said the visitor
-"Colorado." Then. after a pause,
conscious Of an important omission,
he added: "My names John Mills"
Colorado" rejoined the young wo-
man; II knew fellow that went out
there-Rube Jackson. Come in. l sup
pose you want to see paw. Ever meet
Rube| She almost laughed. "Rube
used to think I'd marry him; but gra-
cious, never thought of it. Come in.
Did you say you'd met Rube"
Him and mes pardners," answered
Mills, quietly.
'Do tell! And how's Rube getting
alongT
"Rube? Oh he's all right. He's had
a streak O. luck lately. Thought like
ly you'd want to hear about it. Well,
| must be goin'. Good-by."
Once in the street, he took a paper
from his breast-a document of legal
aspect-tore 1t into minute pieces and
scattered them in the mud Of the thor.
oughfare. God Knows" he mutter-
ed, that I've tried to be squar' with
my pardner, but 1t appears Rube didn't
leave no 'neirs ar assigns forever"
paw, remarked Susan. that even.
ing, there was an awful funny man
called lere to-day. Said he knew Rube
Jackson out West"
Didn't know no good of him." re.
turned father. "That Jackson
placell never bring the amount of the
mortgage"
A few days later Mills was in the
office of the mining expert. "The Mil.
lennium," he began; take her er leave
her|
"Ta-e her." exclaimed the expert
trying to conceal his jubilation. "Here's
the papers and your check, all ready
to sign. Where in thunder'd you 60
to-"
lest took little business trip fur
my pardner," answered John.-Argo.
naut
|
|