Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-12-07
PROLOGUE.


stony, sandy rayine, known to the few
fossicEers who have from time to time
given 1t a trial, as BLACK Horse Gull
ly." Report had it that gold existed
plentifully in that district, though no
one, IL was said, except Z man, ii
German, had ever found the precious
metal there in any considerable guam
tity. This fortunate digger visited
bank his gold, and many unsuccessful
attempts had been made to track him
back to the source Of his wealth. Upon
n Of these periodical visits he died
very suddenly, and the secret as TO the
whereabouts of his claim was believed
to have died with him.
Late one afternoon in July, n man,
dressed in the usual red flannel shirt
II moleskins affected by the digger
class, rode into COoktown upon a lean.
Jaded horse, and ~dismounted at an un-
pretentious little inn known as the
Miners Arms. Having hitched his
horse TO a yeranda post, he entered the
bar, nodded TO the landlord and a few
chance customers, and CURLY demand
ed a bed for the night.
All right" replied the landlord. re-
ferring to the slate. There are half
a dozen for you to pick from"
Il want a to myself" said the
stranger.
Right you are. mate" was the re.
ply, IF you care TO pay for two beds"
The newcomer shrugged his shoul-
ders contemptuoasly, placed a pound
note upon the counter. and, in the usu-
al Australian style, ordered drinks for
all those present. He then handed his
weary steed over to the care Of a sta
bleman and proceeded on foot TO the
postoffice.
ANY letters for Luke Arnewood?,
he Inquired. a~nxiously.
I'll see," replied the delivery clerk.
proceeding to examine the contents of
a pigeon hole. where from?'' he add
ed, a little suspiciously.
The old country-London," was the
answer. Its all right. I've had let
tiers addressed here before. See here"
So saying, he produced several letters
IN proof of his assertion, and the
clerks doubts vanished.
"All right he reioined. syye have
- ~ 49, thlNIui gOu hhoW. mere
are three letters for you; one from
London, right enough. The two others
bear the Dublin postmark."
fVery likely" rejoined the applicant.
almost ~clutchiDg at the letters in his
eagerness. He placed them carefully
in his bosom and retired, muttering
some gruff words of thanks. He then
returned to the inn, ordered some din
ner, and retired to the bedroom he had
secured, In order to peruse his CORE
spondence in peace.
For some moments he sat staring at
the addresses upon the letters. as
though doubtful which t open first.
n finally unsealed the one bearing
the London postmark. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
'136 Essex Street,
Strand, London, w. c.,
June End, 1893.
"Sir-Your favor Of April 9th to
hand, wherein you inform us that you
are the only son of the Mr.. George
Arnewood (alias Arnot0, for whom we
advertised in the 'Queenslander' and
other Australian newspapers, and that
your rather died two years ago. We
have forwarded your communication
TO Messrs. OBrien and Grudgery, So
Ncitors, Dublin, from whom YOU will
DOUBTLESS lear in course Of post.
Yours. faithfully,
Hawkins & Co.,
Per Weston.
Luke Arnewood, Esq.
P~oStoffice Cooktown, Queensland"
"That tells me nothing" he muttered.
opening a second letter; and, though a
strong, healthy looking man, his hand
shook as he did SO.
IRE Arnewood's Trust,
is Harcourt Street,
Dublin, June 4th, 1893.
Dear Sir: Our London agents, Messrs.
Hawkins &c Co., have forwarded us
your reply to their advertisement in
the sQueenslander,' informing them
that Mr.. George Arnewood Is dead and
that you are his only son. Assuming
your. statement to be correct and sus-
cepttble of satisfactory proof las is, we
maKeeno doubt. the case), we have to
lnIcrin you that you are, as your faith
ers helr, entitled in tail-mail, to the
extensive n valuable estates owned
by y6nr grandfather, the late Mr.. Basil
Arnowood, ID. L.. y. p, who died in
testate last November.
1t will. of course, be necessary for
you to establish your claim fully: and
to this end, we would direct your at.
tention to the Importance of the follow
ing: certificate Of your fathers mar
rage; certificate of your birth: certi6-
cate of your fathers death; any let.
tiers or other documents left by him,
tending to establish his identity and
yours. We would suggest the adyisa-
bility of your departure for Ireland at
as early a date as possible. Should you
be In want of funds for the voyage, we
shall remit you what you require, upon
hearing from you to that effect; ana.
we would be obliged by your sending
us copies, at the same time, of such OF
b above named certificates as may be
In your possession.
Your obedient servants,
O'Brien & Grudgerby,
Luke Arnewood. ESQ.