The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-05-31


the engineer, watched his chance and
when the sheriff was pounding on the
rear door lodged in at the front, sig
mailing with the bell rope to the driver
to go. Frantically now the deputy beat
upon the rear door of the car, but the
men within only laughed as the wheels
ratified over the last switch and left
the lights of Spokane far behind.
Away they went over a new and
crooked track, the sand and cinders
sucking in round the tail OF the train
to torment the luckless deputy. Away
over hills and rills, past Hitler,
where the sheriff still stood staring
down the darkness after the vanishing
engine; over the switches and through
the Seven Devils, while the unhappy
deputy hung to the rear railing with
one hand and crossed himself.
Each passing moment brought the
racing train still nearer the border, to
that invisible line that marks the end
Of Yankeeland and the beginning of
the British possessions. The sheriff
knew this and beat loudly upon the
car door with an iron gun. The gov
ernor let the sash fall at the top of the
door and spoke, or, rather, yelled, to-
the deputy.
To the governors amazement, the
sheriff pushed the bottle aside. Dry
and dusty as he was, he would not
drink. He was too mad to swallow.
He poked his head into the dark coach
and ordered the whole party to surren-
der.
"Just say what you want" said
voice in the gloom, 'and we'll pass it
out to you"
Presently the governor came to the
window in the rear door again and
called up the sheriff:
eve are now nearing the border" he
said to the man on the platform, "They
won't know you over there. Here you
stand for law and order, and respect
you, though 1 don't care to meet you
personally, but over the border you'll
only stand for your sentence, two years
for carrying cannon on your hip, and
then they'll take you away to prison."
The sheriff made no answer.
"Now we're going to slow down at
the line to about 20 miles an hour, more
or less, and if you'll take little friend
ly advice you'll fall Off"
The train was still running at q furi-
GUS pace. The whistle sounded, one
long, wild scream, and the speed of the
train slackened.
Here you are!" the governor called,
and the sheriff stood on the lower step.
The door opened, and the governor
stepped out on the platform, followed
by his companions.
II arrest youF' the sheriff shouted,
''All of yours
"But you can'ti you're in British Co
lumbia," the men laughed.
"Iet go, pow." said the governor,
and a moment later the deputy picked
himself up and limped back over the
border.
That day In Rossland the sale was
ratified by the directors, the transfer
of stock made, ana the now famous
LIE Roi mine, the richest perhaps in
Canada, passed over to the British
American corporation. Here, now, the
governor issued the million dollar
check. 1t was o. KID by Mr.. Frazer
the boy banker of Rossland, and paid
In bank that stood where had been q
wilderness but 40 moons ago.
The men who had paid 10 to 60 cents
share for their holdings and sold for
81 or more went home happy and
would probably have remained so ever
IL n
it did not. While these notes were be-
ing taken down the shares were selling
at $40 iI London, and Some of the for
mer owners We're taking to drink. But
let them be patient. Perhaps some of
these spectators who are buying at 40
may sell at Z. Le Roi is all right, but
the B. 4. Q. are said 10 possess mines
in Australia that are all wrong. Min.
ing is no less lottery than ma.rimony.