Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-10-07

as that thor little lump gold or mott"
Craig started visibly as his eyes fell
on the piece Of gold. But he took it
1ndifferently 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
v1ously to decide on the method he
would apply to situation that claimed
all his interest.
II think it u.s." he said-"in fact
know it u.s."
Pole took it eagerly, thrust it back
Into his pocket and said:
"Mr. Craig, l know whar thar's a
vein O that stuff twenty yards thick,
Tunnin' clean through a mountain"
"You do?" Craig actually paled IN
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 duck on June bug. That's my
secret, Mr.. Craig. l hain't one dollar
to my name, but from this day on I'm
goin', to work hard an save my money
till l own that property. I'm a-goin'
down to Atlanta next week, whar peo-
pie don't know me, an have 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
door at the end Of the warehouse, he
led Pole into more retired spot, where
they would be free from possible inter-
ruption. Then in a most persuasive
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
of it. Now, it might take you long
time to get up the money to buy the
land, and there is no telling what
might happen in the meantime I'm
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 to
be speaking half to himself and on the
verge of 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 let1n' me see the place,
Baker?' he said.
Pole hesitated, and then he met the
ex-banker's look with the expression
of man who has resigned himself to
4 generous impulse.
swell, some day when you are
a-passin' my way stop In. an I'l"-
''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 horse
dom nothing in the stable. What's to
hinder us from going today-this MORN
AAeS oOOA a<5 / C1u ~ AOf Ivy uOEScS
II don't keer," said Pole resignedly.
"But could you manage to go without
anybody KNOWN whar 1ou was bound
teri"
EASY enough" Craig laughed. He
was really pleased with Poles extreme
cautiousness.
''Then you thought meet me out thar
8ome'rs."
"A good idea, good idea. Baker,
DO you know whar the Ducktown
read crosses Holly creek at the foot q
Old Pine m0untaln9" -
~As well as know where my house
Ia
Pole looked at the sun, shading his
eyes with his hand. .s...t, u. ~
"Could you be thar by II o'clockT'
''Easy enough. Baker" .N
~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--bu we can see
about that later.'" s..s s +. .s:.,,s:. > H.
{. Y. "All right, Baker IN be there. But
say." as Pole was moving away, "you
are a drinking man and get little or