The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-09-24
CHAPTER XXI-COntinued.

share of curiosity, and Poles manner
and words had aroused it to unwonted
activity. Hold on" he said. "What's
your hurry? I've got time to spare if
you have"
Pole hung his head for a moment in
silence; then he looked the old man in
the face. "Mr. Craig" he began in even
lower voice, do you reckon thar's
any gold in them mountains?" Pole
nodded to the blue wave in the east.
Craig was standing near a bale of
cotton, and he sat down on it, first part
ing the tails of his long, black coat.
II don't know; there might be-" he
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.
''1s thar anybody in this town that
could tell a piece O. gold eff they seed
it?" he asked.
'Oh, good many, l reckon" said
Craig, a steely beam of excitement in
his unsteady eye. II can myself. l
spent two years in the gold mines Of
California when l was young man."
'You don't say! I never knowed
that" Pole had really heard of that
fact, but his face was straight. He had
managed to throw into it most Won
derful blending Of fear and overcau-
tousness.
''Oh, yes; I've had good deal of ex-
perience in such things.''
"You don't sayv' 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 1
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. els that thar lit
tie lump gold or not?" he asked.
Craig started yisibly as his eyes fell
on the piece of gold. But he took it
indiferently and examined it closely.
"Where did you run across that?' he
asked
II 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 situation that claimed
all his interest.
II think it is" he said-"in fact, I
know it is"
Pole took it eagerly, thrust it back
into his pocket and said:
"N1r. Craig, know whar thar's
vein O that stuff twenty yards thick,
runnin' clean through a mountain
''You do? Craig actually paled IN
der his suppressed excitement
Eyes, sir, an I kin buy it, lock, stock
and BARREL fer five hundred dollars
The Teller that owns it I'D jump at it
like duck on a 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 dent 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
door at the end of the warehouse, he
led Pole into a more retired spot. where
they would be free from possible inter
ruption. Then in a most persuasive
voice he continued: Baker, YOU need a
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 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 I could raise five
hundred dollars or even a thousand.
NY 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 lettin' 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
a generous impulse.
"Well, some day when YOU are
a-passin' my way stop in, an I'lr'-
How far is it?'' broke in Craig, pull
ing his beard with unsteady fingers.
"a good iftee2 miles from heer"
Daid Pole.
Craig smiled. "Nothin' but an easv
ride" he declared. 1--WE got horse
doin' nothing in the stable What's to
hinder us from going today-this morn
ing-as soon as can go for my horse?''
d0n'f cold Dolo