News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-10-28
Md he of assistance tn Won g"

could be of assistance to you"
There was something like an actual
remOr of agitation in Poles rough
hand as he drew his little nugget from
| It's resting place at the bottom OF his
| pocket With a deep, indrawn breath
ne handed it to Craig. rs that thar lit
lie lump gold or notT' he asked.
Craig started visibly as his eyes fell
on the piece of gold. But he took it
indiHerently and examined it closely.
Where did you run across that?" he
asked
Il want to know eff it's the puore
thing" answered Pole.
Craig made another examination, OBJ
yiously to decide on the method he
would apply to Il situation that claimed
all his interest.
Il think it is he said-"in fact,
know it is"
Poe took it eagerly, thrust it back
into his pocket and said:
Mr.. Cra.g, ! know whar thar's a
vein o that stuff twenty yards thick.
runnin' clean through mountain"
You dor Craig actually paled I'M
der his suppressed excitement,
Yes, sir. an kin buy it. lock, stock
and barrel, fer five hundred dollars.
The Teller that owns it I'D jump at it
like Il duck on June bug. That's my
secret, Mr.. Craig. | hain't one dollar
to my name, but from this day on I'm
goin' to work hard an save my money
TIL | own that property. I'm agOin'
down to Atlanta next week, whar peO
pie don't know me, an have lump of
it bigger n this examined, an eff its
gold I'll own the land sooner or later
Craig glanced to the rear.
Come back here" he said. Opening
a door at the end of the warehouse, he
led Pole into more retired spot. where
they would be free from possible inter
voice he continued: Baker, you need
man of experience with you in this.
Besides. if there is as much Of-of that
stuff as you say there is, you wouldn't
be able to use all you could make out
II it. Now it might take you a long
lime to get up the money to buy the
land. and there is no telling what
might happen in the meantime. I'm
in Il close place but | could raise five
hundred dollars or even a thousand.
My friends still stick to me. you know.
The truth is. Baker. I'd like the best
IN the world to be able to make money
to pay back what some of my friends
have lost through me-"
Pole hung his head. He seemed 20
be speaking half to himself and on the
verge of a smile when he replied, I'D
like to see you pay back some of 'em,
too, Mr.. Craig"
Craig laid his hand gently on Poles
shoulder.
"How about lettin' me see the place.
Baker," he said.
Pole hesitated, and then he met the
ex-ban'or's look with the expression
OF man who has resigned himself to
a generous impulse.
well, some day when you are
a-passin' my way stop in, an Tll'-
How far is it?' broke in Craig, pull
ing his beard with unsteady fingers.
"A good fifteen miles from heer,"
said Pole.
Craig smiled "Nothin' but an easy
ride" he declared. i've got Il horse
dom nothing in the stable. What's to
hinder us from going today-this morn
ing-as soon as | can go for my horse"
81 don't keer," said Pole resignedly.
but could you manage to go without
anybody KNOWN whar you was bound
fer?"
Easy enough" Craig laughed He
was really pleased with Poles extreme
cautiousness.
Then you mought meet me out thar
some'r's."
"A good idea, good idea, Baker"
do you know whar the Ducktown
road crosses Holly creek at the foot O.
Old Pine mountain?"
"As we'll as | know where my house
is"
Pole looked at the sun, shading his
eyes with his hand.
Gould you be thar by IL o'clock"
Easy enough, Baker"
well, I'll meet you. I'm a-goin' to
trust you, Mr. Craig, an when you see
the vein eff you think thar's enough
money in it fer two-but we can see
about that later"
"All right, Baker. I'll be there. But
say" as Pole was moving away, you
are drinking man and get little off
sometimes You haven't said anything