Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-05-14
GREATER LOVE
HATH NO MAN !;
:. BY JAMES BARNES
; Copyright, 1901, by James Barnes.
Copyright, 1901, by James Barnes.


In some way or other the talk turned
to the early feverish days of California,
when everything was make or lose Mt a
turn of the spade Tor card, for that
matteD, the days when chance and
luck were items in the reckoning of
success and when fortunes changed
hands on the "easy come, easy go"
principle.
was very proud to sit beside the
major. He had charmed me from the
first. Tall and soldierly looking, he
had the air Of reserve about him and
ut the same time the cordial glance and
voice that compel affection and deep
interest. had not been surprised to
hear that he was one Of the most sue
cessfuI lawyers on the Pacific coast.
During the course Of the conversation
two names had been mentioned that
seemed well known to most of the
group about the little table. They
were the names of Roach and Pearson,
knights of the green clotb,-types Of
men TINT -haTeAalmost- disappeared In
the last decade.
Every odd occurrence" had remark
ed the attorney general, who sat d.
rectly opposite me. at was cause
celebre that flashed in the pan, SO to
speak, but l remember them us two
cold, calculating gamblers that knew
neither fear nor pity, and the stran-
gest mystery pervades the whole If
fair.''
Every one seemed to recall 1t and
there was universal assent. was
afraid to ask particulars, as 1t was
evidently 80 old story that 1t might
be boring to the company, no matter
how great my own interest might be.
But later in the evening the major
and l walked home together, and re-
ferred to 1t.
"It's long tale" said the major,
land if any one is qualified to tell 1t I
am that man."
Before parting had the majors
promise that he would write 1t out for
me, and few months later (after my
return to the east received 1t, and a
stranger tale in some ways never was
written. The few lines that prefaced
the manuscript of the narrative were
written on my friends official paper,
dated San Francisco.
81 have at last fulfilled my promise"
his note concluded, "and here is the
story. 1t fully explains the statement
that / made last winter-to wit, that
know more OF the afrair OF Roach ana
Pearson than any. man alive" Then,
without further premise or preamble,
he commences:
In the early days had never once
supposed that my acquaintance with
these two remarkable men would out
live the weeks we had spent together
thrashing the hurrying headwaters Of
become the friends we subsequently
did is considerable source of wonder
to me now.
l was only a photographers assist
ant at work In Yosemite when struck
pup an acquaintance with these friends
Of mine that were to be Mt their camp
pitched just where the bridge now
crosses the stream), and when my en-
ployer left the valley stayed behind
and Joined them at Fearson's invita-
ton. did not know then that they
were il durance, frustrating, as it were,
until an episode lin which Roach had
figured prominently should drop out
of the public's mind.
l have vivid recollection of those
days. The painting trout flounderlng
on the bank. the hush of the forest the
sequoias and redwoods, with the
breeze in the upper branches so far
away that often felt dizzy as | watch.
ed them moving. the quick descent OF
night, the spat and clutter of the camp
fire; Roach, big scar down his face
and over one hand. sitting there al
ways playing solitaire with two packs
of cards no bigger than two fingers
He smoked great, costly cigars that
came wrapped up in foil and tissue
paper, and very particular he was
about his coffee-I used to do the cook
ing.
liked Pearson the better. He had 6
splendid deep sounding voice. HI
knew the uttermost parts of the earth
and am sure that he had been sol
dier-he was stamped with 1t from hi!
heels upward. Probably he wal
thirty-eight when first knew him
Roach was older-how much 1t wa!
hard to say. His age changed witt
his moods. Pearson and read Shake
speare together from volume bount
like Bible with clasp.
became more and more attached t
them, and think they grew to like mi
also. was an imaginative youth and
with it all, as innocent and as friend
less as founding. Many times after
ward did recall those first days unde
the great trees and the sound of Fear
sons voice as he read aloud, and
wondered ut our friendship often as
sat below in the little room, half l
| brary, half office, and heard the ivor
ball humming, spinning and totterin
up stairs in the crowded, silent room
where had never been.
| l suspect that some of my fello,
members Of the bar would be astor
ished If they knew that l made m
first acquaintance with Blackstone |
that little library on the first floor G
Roach & Fearson's gambling hous,
But am anticipating. This story tel
ing is new thing to me.
Well, at last one bright Sunday after
noon a message came to me from Sa
Francisco. The episode, not very ser
GUS, had been forgotten; the troubl
had blown over, and our camp wa
broken. We parted at Madeira stl
| ton.
Some months elapsed. It was a da
in June. was walking the streets c
San Francisco, unemployed, Ill clad IN
hungry, when ran upon them at til
corner Of the square.
| Pearson seemed glad to see me, an
| Roach shook hands, although he nj