Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-10-20

jump another claim and you refused.
Don't you remember"
"Yes, now | do"
THAT was a mean trick in Lewis
He made 100000 out of it, though.
Hope he may enjoy it, 1t didn't hurt
me much. Got plenty without that
The other mine turned out big. Made
me rich. How you doing?"
well. little slow, I'm afraid"
so? Haven't struck anything down
here, them"
Not yet"
TOO bad. What would you think
If | was to tell you that you are
rich?"
q should think you were joking, of
course"
Il never joke. You are rich"
Joe shook his head and smiled
sadly.
Don't believe 1t, eh?" the old maa
cried.
Il cant imagine any possibility by
which such thing could be so" Joe
replied.
Cant you? Do you remember the
claim you abandoned up there at the
Point?"
eyes, l remember that l ought to,
after wasting nearly year on it,"
THAT claim is still yours, and
there is fortune in it. It's worth
100000 any day. l prospected it and
know. Been offered that for it.
Where's your friend-Lewis?"
Hes gone to town. Are you sure
about that claim of mine?"
"Of course. You can have 100000
for it any day. I'm going back, and
want you to go with me. l just came
down for a day or two Got daugh-
ter and heard she was down at town.
Came to meet her. Maybe you know
herr"
Il may, but | believe have forgot
ten your name. Or did | ever knoY
it?"
Il guess not. Everybody called me
Shortcut. The way l talk, you know.
Remember"
Yes. Your real name is"
Harmon. Zach Harmon"
Joe gave a start, and his face paled
and flushed. The old man saw moth
ing however, and presently he ratified
on:
II haven't seen my daughter for
five years. Haven't heard from her
for a long time | used to write To
her back home, but got out of the
habit. Not much mail going up there,
you know. | heard last week she was
down here. A man from down he"e
told me. He said she had come on
to hunt me up if l was still living.
Fine girl and | am anxious to find
her. Do you know her?"
What is her first name?" Joe
asked.
Jane"
Joe was silent a moment, then he
answered, quietly:
Yes, l think | know her. At least
l know lady of that name"
80? Then it is my daughter Where
is she?"
Down in town"
yes. How far from here?"
About three miles"
80? Well, | must get on. Anxious
to see her, you know. Five years is
d long time. I'll see you tomorrow. :"
Joe hesitated a moment, then he
said:
Perhaps | ought to tell you some
thing before you go, Mr.. Harmon
We'll, what is it?"
Lewis is down there"
Down there? With my girl, you
mean?"
Yes"
What for? Want to marry herr"
Il think So"
The old mans eyes blazed
The scoundrel!" he cried "Til
soon settle him, though Guess she
don't know that he robbed me- Why
didn't you tell herr"
II didn't know who you were.
never dreamed of you being her
father"
That's so. Well, must hurry
Would you come with me? Wish you
would, to show me the way"
'I'll come, if you wish it."
"All right, come on"
They passed out of the gulch as the
night began to fall. They went down
the mountain in the darkness There
was comparative silence between
them. Now and then the old man
jerked out short sentence and Joe
answered That was all.
Can | win her?" he said to himaelf.
'Or is it too later
He remembered Lewis air of conf
dence, and he sighed, and in his heart
there was feeling of fear.
This is the house" he finally an
nounced
Without making his presence known.
the old man threw open the door and
walked in. Joe followed. They came
upon Lewis and the girl, sitting together.
and the former was declaring his love.
The old man walked straight up to Lewis
and raped him over the head with his
cane
"Ha! Scoundrel, villain, theft" he
cried. Then, turning TO the girl. he add
ed: Jane, don't YOU know me? Pm ytur