Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-01-25
Race for Gold
A New Enelander's IM~3
in Alaskn~ Ie.s.1 - B:s osINsoN}
Copyrighted 1893. by s. s. Mcclure Col

you want to say. It's all right now.
Don't fret over what you've one to
me. 1t doesn't matter. Can I do any
thing to make you any easier? a
you any message to e to you
folks?"
Tell 'em anything but the truth"
said the dying a They mustn't
know what a bad end / came to. /
must tell you something while ! can.
It's about your father"
MY father!"
Tom drew closer to Rider and ex-
claimed:
Quick! What do you mean?"
Get me some brandy" whispered the
other. Tn getting faint"
Tom darted off, and soon returned
with the stimulant which they had pro-
vided In case of sickness. He admins
tered a small portion to the mate. who
revived at one and said:
Don't interrupt me. ! must be quick.
This wound is burning me up. Your
father got the Alaska fever and left his
ship as Frisco. He rave mt all the
money that belonged TO the owners to
take to them. l gambled 1t away. To
hide my crime j aid he ran away with
1t. l saw him in Dyea-"
What"
Tom stared at him as II inclined to
think his mind was wandering, but the
mate went IN:
He's rich. He's struck gold some
where, and was going home to find you.
He was wild when l told him you was
dead, and started off to Frisco to see
o was buried in good shape. That's
all, and it's enough, too"
AS he uttered the last words he fell
back exhausted. Tom tried to give him
more Of the fiery liquor, but he could
not swallow 1t. His lips moved feebly
and his eyes were turned On Tom In
mute appeal.
II forgive you! God knows l dol"
whispered the young man huskily, and
a flash OF JOY on the dying mans face
told him hat he was heard and under
stood. Then a single long-drawn
breath followed, and with II Obed Ri
der's earthly career ended.
There was no desire for sleep In the
little party that night. BY the light
of the camp fire a grave was dug and
the body of the unfortunate sailor
placed beyond the reach of any wild
animals, and by the time this was done
the dawn was near.
Avery dressed Bowers fingers to the
best Of his ability, the latter grinding
his teeth with pain and rage as he
realized how he had been outwitted the
second time.
His partner, however, took the whole
matter as coolly as If he had not been
caught In any act that might cost him
his life. He spoke but once, and that
was to ask one Of his captors to ac-
commodate him with q chew Of to-
bacco.
Wouldn't trouble yer, only yer've
tied my hands," he explained.
When 1t was fairly light a council
was held to determine what disposition
should be made of the prisoners. This
proved a somewhat difficult matter. To
take them to Dyea involved a vexatious
delay, for there were no horses for
them to ride, and to turn two such
desperate men loose seemed a danger
Gus thing to do. Moreover, they would
starve without provisions.
After talking the matter yer some
time without arriving at any conclu-
sion, Taylor exclaimed, impatiently:
They ought to be hung, but 1 don't
want the job! We'd better give them
grub enough for a week or w and
turn them loose. We can't be bothered
with them!"
His advice was agreed to by the rest
and the little outfit was at ono pre-
pared. When they were ready to start
he walked up TO the two d~esperadoes
and said:
There's your grub. Take 1t and light
out. / shall give q full description OF
you to the authorities at Dyea and see
that 1t is sent to Dawson. Somebody is
sure to hang you both before long"
AS he spoke he cut their bonds n
then mounted his horse.
Half an hour later our lends were
well on their way, while the baffied rob-
bers were %trudging tediously along to-
ward Fort Selkirk In moody silence.
Their plots had failed, and here we
must leave them to heir fate.
1t was a happy party tina rode into
Dyea five days later. The capitalist was
eager to close his advantageous bar
gain, and the business was soon trans
acted. Taylor received a draft for $780,
coo on responsible San Francisco par
ties, and when the bags Of gold dust
had been safely deposited on board the
steamer all care was at an end.
1t was the first night out from Dyea
that Tom Scott found Avery alone on
the deck, and in a Few manly words
declared his love for Clara, asking her
fathers permission to marry her.
What does h say?" asked the old
miner, soberly.
Tom blushed like a schoolgirl and re
piled:
II haven't asked her yet"
Then do 1t, my lad. She's been the
boss this long time. Strikes me you're
pretty sure what she'll say to ask mo
first, you rascal"
But Tom had already gone. and we
cannot follow him. Suffice 1t to say
that the other men saw but little or him
for the rest of the voyage.
Al Seattle the party decided to re-
main a day In order TO procure more
suitable clothing. They went at once
to a hotel and registered, and half an
hour later a stranger accosted Tom,
saying:
"Mr. Thomas Scott, I believer"
Tom admitted his identity, n the
man continued:
II have been hired by Captain Scott,
your father, to find you. He Is at the
Palace hotel in San Francisco, waiting
for news of you. Will you wire to him,
or shall I do it?"
For a m Tom was too aston
isihed to speak; then he bolted for the
telegraph Office.
Three days later there was a joyful
reunion Of father and son, and all mis-
understandings were explained. The
gold was found to be worth nearly
$40. 900, and after a division had been
made the friends separated. Within a
week Clara Avery became Mrs. Thomas
Scott, the two parents being present at
the ceremony.
The wedding trip was to New Eng
land, which Tom declared should be his
home for the rest Of his days, although
he had found riches elsewhere.
And what else did you find?" pouts
his bride.
Reader, how would you have an.
sWered her?