The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-08-01
THE CLAIM
JUMPERS


month trying 10 induce some one with
means to "grubstake' him, but had
failed. This was not because he did
capitalists he met did not care to look
into 1t. Ben was very gloomy. A year
before he had married the girl of his
choice in the east ana week after
the marriage had returned to his min
ing operations. He had hoped before
this to bring his Susie to him, but the
fates had been against him. And now
his failure 10 secure means with which
to prosecute his work made him doubly
respondent.
Before him, coming on horseback, the
broad rim of his felt hat tapping with
each lopc, was man whom he recoG
nlzed as Andy Kitchen, the owner of II
claim not far from his own
"Howdy, Benz said Andy. grinning
affably, and without lesscning his pace
added, yer claims jumped"
What's that to laugh atf' called Ben
sharply. How many Of. 'cmf"
1.-TWO. But one on em reckon you
can handle without trouble. He's lit
tie cuss. Tother may down You"
Ben would have asked more Qucs-
tons. but IIallowcll seemed 10 be IN n
hurry and rode on. Here was more
trouble. Zen was u peaceful, ploddiDg
man. beloved bS his neighbors, and
the last man I'm the world to fight cx
cept for his rights But he was not a
man TO suffer imposition. Besides, BE-
had strong faith in his hole In the
ground" and relied upon II TO unite him
in time with his beloved wife. lie 70 r.
on considering whit he should do. He
had no faith In peaceful measures, for
jumpers were not respccters of Justice
and usually did not jump claim IN
less prepared to maintain their ground
He finally concluded TO rcconnoitcr the
jumpers from distance ana watch for
an opportunity to catch them apart.
1t was about 10 o'clock In the morn
ing and bright summer day when
Ben left the road and struck n trail
through wood which led TO his claim,
now but half a mile distant The birds
were singing In the trees, aud every.
thing about him was so peaceful that
he approached the encounter before
him with stlIl greater reluctance. His
young wife was ever present In his
thoughts, and he could not dismiss q
picture of her anguish If II were fatcd
she should hear that he had been killed
by the jumpers. After going as far ou
horseback rs lac dared lest h. attract
attention he dsmountcd and procccdc
on foot pausing behind tree In sight
Of his claim aud his cabin beside II.
There was no one about, but the cab
in door stood open, and smoke issued
from the stoycpipc chimney. Between
two trees swung hammock IN the
center of which was a bundle Ben
eyed all this cautiously listened TN he
was convinced that there was no one
present, then boldly went forward
Curious TO learn what was IN the ham
mock. he pulled apart its sides and re-
vealcd roll Of blankets But aS the
blankets contained something he pull
ed aside corner covering one end Of
the bundle and revealed
Well what Ben revealed was no
more striking than the expression Of
his face on seeing e. The stern look
he had worn up to this moment melted
into one ms kindly rs, more kindly than,
had ever rested on his features lie
looked down into the face of sleep.
ing baby,
For time the dimiuutivc creature
slept ON. then began to stretch its little
legs and ding its little fists about at
last opening pair of blue eyes, which
1t fixed iutcntly on Ben,
Reckon you're the little jumper
said Ben, giving the baby his hurtr
TO clutch. Il Lope the big ono is no
more formidable. II your dad hus
taken my property don't see how
can have the heart tn dlspossess him"
Hy this time Ben was on his knees
beside the baby making all kinds Of
grimnCcs and saying Nil kinds Of ride
ulous things to show his good viii and
attract the Child's attention Then n
sudden thought struck him, He re-
melnhcrcd Andy Kitchens grin when
he announced that the vlntm had been
jumped.
by thunder" he exclaimed. sup.
pose the big jumper is a woman"
For moment his face fell If this
were SO. what an uncomfortable stu
alton! Even the shooting he had cN
pected was not SO bad ms that
lie was 50 engrusScd with this
thought aud the baby in whose face
he fancIcd he could trace something
pleasantly familiar that he did not
hear footstcp approaching Then h,
felt light touch on his shoulder In
stinctiycly his hand dew to his re-
volyer rs he turned.
lie looked into the smiling fucc OF
his wife.
There are certain scenes as well MS
emotions that are indescrihahle
Neither the scene nor the emotions II
this case can be painted in words
Never was man more completely
turned from the passion OF strife t'
that of love, There was one long en-
brace that Il seemed would never end
then a gradual REIMBURSEMENT after
that explanations.
Susie had prevailed upon a relative
TO furnish means with which 10 prose
cute Bens claim. besides funds 70 ona
bic her 10 take them 20 him n,.Seii
A letter telling him OF her intended
Journey had arrived the day after his
departure for Frisco. Susie ON her
arrival. finding him gone, quietly took