The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-26
THE CAE=IN
OF THE JIM=NED.
Rival Claimants of the Mine and
Ranch and 1.-The Final ComprO-
mise.
By lad II. GIBSON.

By lad H. GIBSON.
''The jimmie sure struck it this time,
Rhody," said Dave Allison, leaning
against the open door of his sisters cabin.
''Struck what:" she asked, pausing in
her washing to hear him.
Rhoda Allison was large, handsome
woman of %. As she leaned one elbow
in half-picturesque attitude against a
corner of the dashboard she looked what
she was-a strong woman, abundantly
capable of looking ont for herself, and
one who would stand up for her rights
against the world, if need be.
'.Jim Carey has struck gold on his
claim announced her brother, scrutiniz-
ing his sisters face to see what effect his
words produced upon her.
Her eyes flashed ircfully and a glow of
anger Overspread her face.
MY claim, you mean,' she answered
Indignantly.
Dave grinned; for the dispute between
RhOda and his old chum Carey over the
ownership of the land on which the jim
Ned "mne'' was located had furnished
him good deal of amusement and a de-
gree of annoyance.
"Well, Rhody, if you and Carey can't
decide it, the law will, L suppose lie re-
Piled, lighting his pipe. Carey is a fine
fellow. He saved my life from the In
dams once. Better take my advice and
compromise with him. He is willing.
"WeIl, I'm not willing to compromise,
she retorted, beginning to make the soap
suds fly in an energetic way that told III
what spirit she received her brothers adj
vice. Il bought this ranch fair and square
from his partner, Ned Turner
''Yes, and against my advice, remember.
Turner was not partner with Jim when
he sold out to YOU But Jim left him in
charge of the ranch, while he went to
Prescott on business. Ii was then that
Turner took advantage to sell to you, and
gave you title that isn't worth any
thing" said Dave.
That's what Jim Carey makes you be-
lieve, but the law will show you other
wise"
mo, it won't. There are plenty of
men in these mountains who will swear
that Turner did fraudulent thing i'll
selling You This nnch.
well. if he can prove it is his claim
why has Carey9let Tom and me live here
almost year without trying to put us
out? That is what looks queer to me, y
she answered, still rubbing vigorously on
the washboard.
Because you aIe woman. Jim Carey
wouldn't treat a. woman mean for the
world"
POO! I'd liketO know what You cal
mean. If his Trying TO get Tom and me
is?''
".Jim has worked hard on this place.
and can't give it up. He bought out
Turner's interest IN the claim, because he
began to distrust Ned. Then the rascal
sold it to you giiMl skipped ont. Jim is
willing to pay you in full the amount you
paid Ned Turner for the claim if you will
only comprOmiscss,..i.9'.
But I won t. ) Sosy6u can trot up TO
that old prospect hole that he calls his
mine and tell him SO. And if he strikes
gold on my claim,and tries to sell the ore
or bond the mine I'll prosecute him to
the full extent of the law. That's what
I'll do. And I'll ride over to the County
seat tomorrow and see an attorney"
Seeing how useless it was to try to bring
about a compromise between his sister and
his friend Carey. Dave Allison mounted
his pony and rode away up the canyon
toward the Jim-Ned mine, so named in
honor of the two men who had once been
equal partners.
When Rhoda Allison's pareIits had died
she had taken her orphan nephew, Tom
Hall. sturdy lad of 16. and, leaving her
old home in Kentucky. had come out to
see her brother Dave in Arizona. Dave
was doing so well as cattieman that
Rhoda decided to turn ranch-wOman and
try the business herself. She found n
small ranch up in the mountains that
suited her. 1t was only four miles from
her brothers ranch, and as she found the
inmate of the cabin ready to sell at a
very reasonable figure. she purchased it
against the advice of her brother. Ned
Turner represented that he had bought
ont his partner, who was away at the
time, and. although Dave Allison had no
proof to the contrary, he did not believe
Turner's story. Allison had always been
on terms of intimacy with Jim Carey, and
he did not believe his friend would dispose
of his share of the claim and ranch with
out telling him something about the trans
action. Then, Allison himself had been
called away to Colorado on some cattle
business. and while he was gone his sister
had made the purchase. When he re-
returned he found Rhoda and Tom had
entered into their new possession and
were already trying the ranch business on
their own hook. Rhoda had not found
her brothers wife especially pleasant, and
this fact FASTENED her in accepting Ned
Turner'S offer of the ranch, which in
cluded an embryonic mine-little more
than hole in the ground-up the canyon
short distance from the cabin.
About three weeks after the ranch had
so suddenly changed hands, Jim Carey
had returned and claimed his property.
lie produced papers showing that he had
bought out his partner. RhOda Allison
likewise produced papers, plainly showing
that she had bought out Turner. and
ended by declaring that she was not GO
ing to be run off of her own land by any
man living!
every well, madam" Jim had said.
II never quarrel with women. So you
may keep the cabin and I'll take the mine
and work it. ALI l have in the world is
right here, andT you shouldn't expect me
to give up all mytrightful property"
So Jim Carey had pitched his tent up
the canyon andt began work on the Jim
Ned mine. leaving Rhoda and Tom in I'M
disputed possession of the ranch part of
the claim. At first RhOda had not cared
about the mine. So long as she and Tom
had the ranch IaEi their little herd of
cattle she was satisfied
But after a while Carey's tent became
an eyesore to her,s and the daily sight of
large, strappiBG man with massive
shoulders and full. dark beard throwing
up dirt and ro0lo out of "that hole or
bar land hOughtf with bar own ,nonoy