Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-08-25


and in less than a year had made their
pile
One day they went together on a
shooting expedition. The younger OF
the two, Phil Mason, was accidentally
shot by his companion, and badly
wounded.
For some hours Phil was tenderly
nursed by his companion and then he
fell asleep.
When he awoke he was alone At
first he could not believe he had been
deserted. but as the hours passed che
horrible truth sank into his mind. He
had been left to die
The angony of thirst and the pain of
his wounds made him delirious. 70
relate what he suffered would only pro
vide grewsome reading; and, after all,
it is past and done with these forty
years and more. Besides, the subject
is to me a peculiarly distasteful one,
for | was Phil Mason, though | am
known by quite another name today
and the horror Of those lonely hours OF
torment filled my soul with a bittel
hate chat lasted five and twenty years
Enough, then, to say that l was res
cued by a black fellow, and that fort
night later was back among men
able to get about, though only shad
ow of my former self.
On making inquiries found that my
chum had cleared out of the country
taking with him our united savings
Penniless and weak in health,
could not follow him, and when some
months later | had got a little money
together, all trace of him had disap
peared.
So the years passed in this endless
quest, interrupted by spells of hard
toll
Then one day, after five and twenty
years, the knowledge which l had
sought so hungrily came to ME by acct
dent
A careless conversation. overheard
by mere chance. told me the presen,
name and habitation of the man who
had wronged me.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock at night
when | presented myself at the door OF
the handsome house in Hammond
square. the residence of Arnold Grange
the eminent banker.
Not for a moment did | anticipate
any tro0ble in obtaining an interview
The man would not dare to send me
away.
was righ-. In a few moments the
old butler returned and conducted me
to his master.
found myself in a large richly fur
ntshed room, lighted only at the farther
end by a shaded electric lamp on big
open desk covered with papers.
At the desk stood man with his
head turned towards me. but coult
not at first see his face quietly
walked across the room to him. and fol
a moment We confronted each other in
silence.
Prosperity had changed him, even as
adversely had changed me.
For one thing, he did not look his
years He could have passed for As
and yet l knew he must be we'll over
so
He wore a well trimmed beard anc
mustache and his skin was white
When I had known him he was clear
shaven and deeply bronzed.
You don't recognize me, Tom Warn
er." I said at length, addressing him
by his old name.
He kept a bold front, but thought
| detected a lurking fear in his eyes.
1T is long since we met" he said in
low tones
ter laugh 1T is twenty-five years
since you left me, a wounded lad, tc
die of thirst in the mountains. Tween
ty.fve years since you robbed me o.
the gold had worked and sweatet
for"
He fdeeted nervously. but offeret
no defense, no excuse.
"But | have. hunted you down a,
las Tom Warner-or Mr. Arnold
Grange. if you prefer that, have
hunted you down, and by heaven you
shant escape me now"
Set--d cast VI DldGh Hlh4At uS SdlA
coolly,
| took a step towards him, and
think the look in my eyes frightened
him
There, theren he said hastily
We need not quarrel The past is
dead Let's forget it. Come and SCI
me tomorrow and we will go into fig
ures. Meanwhile here Is something (
90 on with
He took from his pocket a thick roll
Of bills and counted me out $500
I took the bills and recounted them
Thank you. / said. as placed them
In my pocket. Il will call upon yoG
tomrrow; but understand this, shall
NOT be satisfied with a cent less thar
the half Of your fortune II you try tc
rob me Of single dollar, hy HEAVIER