The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1903-08-06
WILL N.
HARDEN
Aakbor Of
"we<fs0sk"

cotton. m he sat down oil II, trst part
ing the tails of his long. black coat.
II don't know: there might be-" be
said. deeply interested and yet trying
to appear Indifferent. There is plenty
of it in the same range farther down
about Dalonega."
Pole had his hand in the right pocket
Of his rough jean trousers.
lis thar anybody in this town that
could tell a piece o. gold eff they seed
it," he asked.
''Oh. u good many. ] reckon" said
Craig. a steely beam of excitement In
his unsteady eye. Il can myself.
spent two years in the gold mines OF
California when | was q young man."
You don't say! ! never knowed
that" Pole had really heard of thar
fact, but his face was straight. He had
managed to throw into it q most won
derful blending of fear and oyercau-
tiOusness.
''Oh. yes: I've had a good deal OF ex-
perience in such things"
"You don't say Pole was looking
toward the compress again.
Craig laughed out suddenly and put
his hand on Poles shoulder with a
friendly. downward stroke.
You can trust me. Baker, he said
persuasively. land it may be that !
could be of assistance to you"
There was something like an actual
tremor of agitation in Poles rough
hand as he drew his little nugget from
its resting place at the bottom of his
pocket. With a deep, indrawn breath
he handed it to Craig. rs that thar lit.
tie lump gold or not?" he asked.
Craig started visibly as his eyes fell
on the piece OF gold. But he took 1t
indifferently and examined it closely.
Where did you run across thatY' he
asked.
Il want to know eff it's the puore
thing answered Pole.
Craig made another examination, OBJ
viously to decide on the method he
would apply to u situation that claimed
all his interest.
II think it is" he said-"in fact.
know it is"
Poe took 1t eagerly, thrust 1t back
into Ills pocket and said:
MIR. Cra.g. | know whar thar's o
vein o. that stuff twenty yards thick
runnin' clean through a mountain"
You dog Craig actually paled I'm
der his suppressed excitement.
Yes. sir. an / kin buy 1t. lock. stocb
and Uarrel. fer five hundred dollars
The Teller that owns II nd jump at II
like u duck on u June bug. That's my
secret. MIR. Craig. | hain't II dollar
to my name. but from this day on I'm
goin' to work hard an save my money
til | OWL that property. I'm a-goin'
down to Atlanta next week. whar peo-
Pile don't know me. an have a lump OF
it bigger n this examined. an eff it's
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 II more retired spot. where
they would be free from possible inter
ruption. Then in u most persuasive
voice he continued: Baker. you need a
man of experit-lce with you in this.
~ - II ah &c a. ~ " nat
stuff as you say there is. you wouldn't
he able TO use all you could make out
Of 1t. Now. 1t might take you a long
time TO get up the money TO buy the
land. and there Is no telling what
might happen in the meantime. I'm
In a close place. but | could raise five
hundred ollar 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 he able to make money
TO pay back what some of my friends
have lost through me-"
Pole hung his head. He seemed TO
be speaking half to himself and on the
verge of Il 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 iettin' me see the place.
Baker," he said.
Pole hesitated. and her he met the
e~x-banker's look with the expression
of a man who has resigned himself TO
a generous impulse.
We'll. some day when you are
a-passin' my way step in. an mr.
"How far Is it," broke in Craig. puff
ing his beard with unsteady fingers.
"a good fifteen miles from heer."
said Pole.
Craig smiled. "Nethin' but an easy
ride" he declared. I've got a horse
dom nothing in the stable. What's to
hinder us from going ~today-this morn.
ing-as soon as | al go for my horse?"
Il don't keer." said Pole resignedly.
"But could you manag to go without
anybody KNOWN har 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. a good idea. Baker"
"Do you know whar the Ducktowp
road crosses Holly creek at the foot a.