Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-09-04
"You don't sayw Pole was looking


Craig laughed out suddenly and put
bis 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 bis
pocket. With deep, indrawn breath
he handed it to Craig. rs that thar lit
tie lump gold or not?" he asked.
Craig started vislbly as his eyes fell
on the piece Of gold. But he took it
indifferently and examined it closely.
"Where did you run across that" he
asked.
81 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 situation that claimed
all his interest.
81 think 1t is," he said-"in fact l
know 1t is."
Pole took it eagerly, thrust it back
into his pocket and said:
"Mr. Craig, | know whar thar's q
vein O. that stuff twenty yards thick.
runnin' clean through mountain"
"You doY Craig actually paled un-
der bis suppressed excitement.
"Yes. sir. an kin buy 1t, lock, stock
and barrel, fer five hundred dollars.
The feller that owns it I'D jump at 1t
like q duck on June bug. That's my
secret. MIR. Craig. hain't one dollar
to nv name, but from this day on I'm
goin' to work hard an save my money
till own that property. I'm a-goin'
down to Atlanta next week. whar peo'
ple don't know me, an have lump OF
| it bigger n this examined. an eff it's
gold III 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 continues: Baker. you need a
man of experience with you In this.
Besides. il 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
Of it. Now. 1t might take you d 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 close place. but could raise five
hundred dollars or even 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 to
be speaking half to himself and on the
verge of a smilA when he replied. "I'd
Nke to see you pay back some Of 'em,
ioo, Mr.. Craig"
Craig laid his hand gently on Poles
tloulder.
"How about lettin' me see the place.
Baker" he said.
Pole hesitated, and then he met tho
ex-banker's look with the expression
of a man who has resigned himself to
q generous impulse.
"Well, some day when you are
a.passin' my way stop in, an ZIP
"How far is itT" 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. 1--WE got a horse
doIn' nothing in the stable. What's to
hinder US from going today-this morn
ing-as soon as can 60 for my horse"
81 don't keer," said Pole resignedly.
"But could you manage to 60 without
anybody KNOWN whar you was bound
ferW
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 I know where my house
Is."
Pole looked at the sun. shading his
eyes with his hand.
"Could you be thar by II o'clockr
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 a drinking man and get little off
sometimes. You haven't said anything
about this where anybody
Pole laughed reassuringly. II never
have been drunk enough to do that,
Mr.. Craig, an, what's more, l never
will be-"
TO BE CONTINUED.