Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-05

PERSONAL S;heck for S12,320. The cashier pro-
tested. 1t was irregular. The man Killing
did not have 12.oo0 mills in the bank, but
the manager told the cashier that 1t was all
right. There was SIC. 900 worth of gold as
security in the safe. besides the cash was to
be returnedRSunday afternoon, or long be-
fore the hour for opening on Monday. So
the money went cait
The banker and the editor were greatly
amused at the quaint sayings Of Uncle Ben
on the way over. AS the heavy freight
tofied up over the range the three men sat
in the cupola off the way car. The moon
was out full upon the White mountains,
making the>world- wildly beautiful.
WHAT'S them iron strings fer? asked
Uncle Ben.
Those are telegraph wires"
But what's the good o. them?-they
don't hold up theopoles?'
On said the editor, glancing at his
Trend, we send messages over them. You
write oat MESSAGE letter-and hand 1t
TO the man at the station, and he sends it
over the wire
Go on" said Uncle Ben. turning away
to watch the moonlight that was playing
OH the rippes of the Kicking Horse.
honest, said King.
No. the old man answered me an
Chekko watched them strings fer three
"eekS once, an they want no letters pass
ed. Chekko said they was put there to hold
the poles together. an that in winter the
railroad would be boarded up to keep the
Snow out. think Chekkos right
1T was 1 O'Clock in the morning when
CHeie Ben struck the dim trail north of
the town of Revelstoke, followed by the
banker bearing the flash ROLL" the editor
stumbled along in the rear. To the stran-
gers 1t seemed that they were walking in
trackless wilderness, but the old path
finder kept his feet swinging as though it
We're broad daylight. 1t was an hour be-
fore dawn when they were halted by
grunt and heard the click-click of a rifle
cooking. Uncle Ben called in a strange
tongue; Chekko answered. The pathfinder
told his companions to remain where they
We're. and then approached the hogan, near
the door of which the old Indian had
spread his blankets.
Chekk0 stood forth in the moonlight, q
solitary eagle feather sticking up from his
fur cap.
The banker. eager to see the Indian. adj
vanced two or three steps, Chekko cooked
his rifle again, and the banker stepped
back.
If you come too near said Uncle Ben.
coming close to the white men, you'll
spoil it all"
I'VE won't" said the banker; "here-take
the money and show it to him. Tell him
We've got it to burn"
Uncle Ben took the satchel and showed
the money to Chekko. The Indian only
looked at 1t, grunted and turned to regard
the strangers.
Presently they saw Uncle Ben put the
bundle of bills back into the grip. The In
dian waved his hands, talked loud and
pointed toward the east, where the dawn
was showing.
Its all right" said Uncle Ben, return
ing the grip to the banker, 'only he says
you must be gone before the sun is up. He's
all broke up, but he won't make no trou-
BILE. He himself will guide you out to the
main trail, but you must not come within
twenty PAGES of him. Stay till l bring the
bar of gold.''
1t was a great load-eighty pounds as
they afterward learned. The banker and
the editor took turns carrying 1t, the old
Indian leading the way. When it was fuil
I,,r 30 o,,f hlv, Joni TC a
men to stop Leaving the trail he placed
himself upon a huge rock, pointed bony
hand down the trail and the men passed
on.
outlined against the forest King called
back cheerily 'Adiose."
The banker and the editor reached Rev
elstokee JUSTIN TING to board the east-bound
They were silent and thoughtful. Now
and then they exchanged glances and
smiles. At SGlaciT, which was the eating
station on sfhe old time card, King left
the train and brought some sandwiches and
coffee back with him. but the banker
would not Stir. Al the way over he sat
with one foot on the old rag of a blanket
that covered the eighty-pound slab of gold
The old satchel with the $4,000 in it lay in
the rack above his head.
That night, in the bankers private Of
fee, the two men unrolled the old blanket
and there lay theGhig yellow bar. 1t was a
sight to see. Weary and worn as they
were, they sat for hours talking over their
good fortune. 's
The manager was busy at his desk when
the bank opened for business on Monday
morning. Uncle Ben was coming over on
the express. Did you bring the money
back?' the cashier asked, entering the pri-
vate office.
Sure" said the manager. reaching for
the little satchel that stood upon the top
of his desk. When he had found the right
key he unfastened theo spring lock, lifted
the bundle. looked at it for second, and
sank into his chair.& The bundle dropped
from his hand. The cashier picked 1t up.
1t was a bundle of brown paper.
The revelations came swift and fast from
that hour. The banker clipped a corner
from the big slab and carried it to MIR.
Smith. but Mr.. Smiths assay shop was
closed. The card the door read,
'Adioser
The old assayer was found and the yell
low slab was found to be worthless The
other bar, the smaller one, was brought
out. There was a little gold in the bottom
of the auger hole. The rest was tinklfng
brass. The nuggets were worthless; the
dust sacks were filed with sand.
1t was scarcely necessary to visit the
camp" but they did, the banker and the
editor Near the cabin they found an In
dian false face. and Uncle Ben's whiskers.
Upon the cabin door there was a card.
upon which Uncle Ben had written,
"Adiose."