Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-16

quick slash he struck the hand which |
held the revolver, causing the owner to
drop it, with yell. of pain, and dash off |
toward the street at full speed, followed
by his companion, who had evidently no
desire to face Tom alone.
AS the men disappeared he turned, to
And the stranger he had rescued groan-
ing with pain, and trying to get on his
feet.
Take my arm and see if you can't
stand" said Tom. Are you badly |
hurt?"
my right arm is. helpless, and my
head goes round like q top" was the
faint reply; "but I'm coming round all
right, guess. got nasty clip from
one of them cutthroats. / came to just
as that chap pulled his gun on you, and
tried to get up, but everything swan
round SO couldn't, You're a plucky
chum-."
"Can you get up?" interrupted Tom,
hastily. "If you can I'll just find that
pistol and We'll get away from this
place. If not, I'll leave you the weapon
and go after help. I'm cut in the side,
A moments search discovered the
weapon, and after assisting the in
jured man to his feet they were NOV
ing slowly up the wharf when bright
ray Of light suddenly penetrated the
| darkness and tall policeman appeared
before them, throwing the searching
beams of a dark lantern upon them.
whats going on down thereP" he
demanded. Didn't / hear shot just
a moment ago?"
Tom was about to reply when his
companion exclaimed:
1.-TWO men knocked me down and
would have robbed me but for this man
here, who pitched into them. They
both ran up this way"
81 passed two men," said the officer.
.One was tall and the other short. Were
they the ones?"
Upon receiving an affirmative reply,
he turned on his heels and dashed off
in pursuit of the evildoers, who by this
time had made good their escape.
As the avenue was reached herdic
happened along and Tom hailed 1t at
his companions suggestion.
Take us to the police station ON Bat
terry street." he said to the driver, and
in few moments they stood before the
official in a well-lighted room telling
their story. A physician was in attend
ance upon prisoner and he soon made
rapid examination of their wounds.
j "a few strips of plaster will fix your
scalp all right" said he to the elder
man, "and your arm is only numb from
the blow. You'll be all right to-mor-
row." Then turning to Tom, headed:
from death, young man. That knife
was meant for your heart. AS tits, i,
glanced on rib and there is no damage
done. 1t is only slight flesh wound
which will give you no trouble what
ever
A few moments sufficed to;dress the
cut properly, and after turning overthe
knife and revolver to the authorities
to aid in identifying the two robbers
Tom was about to start for lis hote
when his new acquaintance said, ,blunt
ly:
Hold on minute. I'd like'to Lnov
the name of the man, who stood by al
| old chap tonight and saved my life
How did you happen along so hand,
: like?"
) "My name is Tom Scott, and hap
pened to hear those men planning t.
! rob somebody, so I kept an eye OF
them. That's all"
Il. NO, it amt all, by long chalk,
! was the hearty response. "You die
, more'n that, and might be chucket
!, into the dock before this only for your
| pluck. My name is John Avery, ane
: I'm pretty well known along the water
front as man of my word. If car
. ever do you good turn you can coun
|, on me. Live here in the city?"
!, mo, I'm just from New Hampshire,
said Tom.
Looking for work? 2"
| mo, I'm trying to find O. chance t.
get to the Klondike.'
Then, by thunder, you needn't lool
/ any longer. was the promptreply, "be
! cause I'm bound there myself, and yol
] shall go with me if you want TO.
wouldn't ask better mate than you
+ Where are you stoppingP"
| Tom mentioned the name. OF his hoste
and the other said at once:
"All right. Let's go there and,tal,
j, this thing over"
, Half an hour later they were seate,
, in the smoking room and Tom ssmodes
story was told. When he had.fnishe,
his friend said:
E That's good, straight yarn, an
) some day / may have one to tell yo
t that will open your eyes. All Iineed t
: say now is that my name is John. AVERY
I'm an old 49-er without wife or child
and I'm bound for the Klondike to ge
my pile. It's waiting for me there, al
right. I've taken passage on sailfn,
vessel because / like the water an,
hate the cars. Besides, there is nous
getting there before spring. I willpa.
your passage out on the same yesse
and you can keep your little pile I
the Yukon camps are anything likeNth
old days In California, you'll need it, al
and more, too. Well call it loa
or anything you like, and you can pa
me when you strike rich claim"
Tom protested family, but he wa
overwhelmed at the prospect, and 300
yielded.
"Well see about getting yourpassag
the first thing in the morning. sad
Avery. "and now, us my old head /