Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-01-24
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3 By ELIAS liSlE (.
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BY ELIAS Isle
Copyright, 1901, by 4. S. Richardson


known to n large public as Pyro," said
politely, Ornamenting my signature
with lambent flames in ink. It's a
great advertising dodge if YOU can man
age to have the register left open on
the counter.
you've struck Campbenstown at
good time" said mine host.
80 my ascendant star informed
me-" | replied. 1t does no harm to
throw in a little astrology now and
then.
THE miners are in from all around.
Old kanawha's in flood and that means
knock off work at the mines"
Seven days shall the flood endure;
then shall the waters Subsidc and
those in the depths of the earth shall
walk dry shod." | pronounced in my
best manner. Weather lore's Il fine
bluff if you put it far enough ahead so
that you'll be out of the way in case
things don't turn out according TO pro-
gramme. But | missed it clean that
time
'Dry shod, your eye" said the hotel
man scornfully. ut amt the water
that does the damage. It's the gas.
When kanawhH gets up very high
and she's higher now than for years
the natural gas outlets get shut Oh.
Nobuddy knows just where they are,
but they're in the river or on the
banks somewhere and when the water
around the country. specially in the
mines. Then. after Il few of the boys
has keeled over or there's been blow
out or two. they knock off and wait for
the river to 80 down. TOwn'll be full
of 'cm this afternoon, and Camphells-
town full of miners is about as peart a
spot as you'll find in West Virginia.
"Peart" it certainly was. There were
two shooting affrayS and general
fight that afternoon. BY my invitation
:: dozen of the visiting miners came in
and had drinks on me. and gave them
IL taste of my quality by blowing flame
instead Of froth from my beer and light
ing my cigar with the end of my finger.
MOrose fellows they were, the effect.
believe. of working in darkness. but
they served my purposes by spreading
abroad the fame of my gifts. so that
was assured of n crowd that night.
One Of my guests. powerful fellow
with an evil eye. seemed to take n dis
taste for me and cursed me as he left
FOR no other reason than that he didn't
take to my ways. and announced his
intention Of being at the performance
and seeing that things went right.
"Kindw ugly. eh!" commented my
host. That's Sledge Turner. and he's
one OF the worst men in these parts
when he's drunk. He always goes
hceled too
l had IN overtiowing house that
night. and in the third row beheld
Mr.. Turner's forbidding face. Every
thing went we'll. and l soon had my
audience in a condition of mingled de-
light and awe. When went down into
the body Of the house to collect silver
dollars. white mice and other miscella-
nieS from my ndmiring spectators,
was in such high spirits over the sue
cess Of the evening that l did a foolish
thing. l pulled dollar from between
the scowling eyes of Sledge Turner.
At the same time l saw the hilt Of q
murdcrous knife projecting from his
belt and heard his announcement that
he'd have that dollar back or cut my
heart out.
After the performance, as my assist
ant was out in the box office and l was
getting my apparatus packed, the door
burst open and Turner had me by the
throat with both hands. Between his
teeth he held the big knife l had seen.
There were hate and murder in his eye.
The profession of magic makes Il man
quick to think In emergencies. 1t also
provides him with resources not pos
sessed by the average man. In an in
stant I had sent spurt of flame to
Turner's face from the wire in my
sleeve connected with the battery be-
tween my shoulders. The current
wasn't strong enough to knock him
down, but he lOosed his grip on me. and
the next instant | gave him Japanese
elbow trick. Down he went and lay
there struggling on the floor. for had
caught him fair in the thrOat, and the
blow is an ugly one. 1t struck me chill
ingly that | had rather Ovcrdone the
thing. Throwing long ulster over my
inferno costume of scarlet and black. l
explained hastily to my assistant and
made my way back to the hotel. Ten
minutes later my host entered my room
without the fOrmality of knocking. In
his hand he held revolver.
Take this and git for your life." he
said. thrustng the weapon into my
hand. you've done Sledge Turner.
and the lodge is after you."
1T was in self Defense" l said.
Whatever the lodge may be. 1t
can't
It's the miners lodge" he interrupt
ed. Blood oath and life for life.
Slcdge was member. II they get their
hands Oh you. they'll string you up like
a cat"
There was hOarse roar outside that
grew nearer and nearer
HUSTLE" cried my kindly host. NO
time for the door. Take the window.
Keep right down the river road. Ten
miles down you'll strike Carton. You'll
be safe there"
To reach the ground was all easy
matter. My chances We're good. My
tights made an excellent light running