The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-05-04
THE UNKNOWN
LorIginal.l


II was long ago when there was a
string of mining camps on Clear creek.
There was no law there except what
each man made for himself. The pop
ulation was made up OF. first. the gam
blers, who stood highest in the scale;
second, the miners. and, third, women
who had drifted In like refuse on a
flood. There was one more element,
but SO small that 1t is scarcely worth
counting-a few irreproachable repre-,
sentatiyes of the softer sex.
One day a stranger came traniplng
up all the way from Denver and stop
pen in the easternmost camp, now a re-
spectacle town. Hehunted through the
place as IL looking for some one till he
had seen every one in town, then went
ON up the creek. Having made tour
OF every camp. he returned to the srst.
and there he remained.
The quickest way to attract attention
is to arouse curiosity. Every one felt
sure that the unknown was waiting
and watching for some one who had
done him a great wrong aud that when
that some one appeared there would be
a quick exchange OF shots and one or
both would bite the dust. Then there
would be burial, and the denizens Of
that region would 90 on washing for
gold as before, waiting for the next
episode TO break their monotonous
lives. But who was this some one, and
how had he injured the stranger? He
could not have taken his money at
cards, for the stranger seemed to have
all the funds he wanted. There was
but one man in the camp who dared
question the unknown. That was Bill
Tut. He did not ask direct questions
He went at tho stranger on the flank.
Ever been much of card player r,
he asked.
No"
Had a rich hole in the GROUND
jumped or anything like that?n
.'No.'
"aIarriedg
mo" s-e-ia
Ever been married~
yes
The unknown gave hitch to his ri
volyer, and the questioner got up and
went away to give the group of lockers
on, who had pretended to work, but
We're really watching the pumping
process, the result
II got it out o. him." said Tut.
s4NNbaf 10 II ~ osI,a,l al 81 .1.,.,n
did you see him hitch his ieyosvesi
can always tell when touch the ten.
der spot in man, cause his fingers
invariably go to his weapon. asked
him IL he was married, and he said no.
Then ! asked him If he had been mar
ried, and he said yes. That brought
his hand to his gun. Some Teller TUX
his wife away from him.
After this revelation attention turned
to the man who had taken the stran-
gers wife. The stranger himself was
no longer the object Of curiosity. That
object was now the man he was look.
ing for. Curiosity and imagination go
together, and fancy made many pic.
ture of the unknown. The men usual.
~ painted him rs n driveling, coward.
.ly little man with a crafty look in bis
eye, the women as splendid syeci
men of manly ylgor. though there was
no rule for this. All hoped that If he
ever came the stranger would not get
the drop on him to preclude the posi-
biliiy of a fair fight.
Rtft xypuII fha ara,. on,,,s.t
For time the stranger seemed to be
troubled lest he should not, going
about with lowering brow and giving
rasping replies to any one who veil-
tpred TO speg.y TO him. Then all of
sudden there was-a change. Whether
he had received some important infCr-
nation, some clew or other means OF
knowing of bis enemy's movements
was not apparent, but It was noticeu
that as soon as the creaking of the
stage that semiweekly numbered up
the incline was heard in the distance
he would go out to the read. fla his eve
on 1t till it arrived, then scrutfnize the
passengers.
One afternoon the stranger. catching
the creak far below-for it was blown
westward on an east wind-went on:
to the road and stood waiting, with
arms folded. 1t had been noticed all
day that his manner was changed. He
was seen several times TO give short
laugh and rub his hands. Many be-
lieved he had secured information that
his enemy was Oh the approaching
coach. Word WIS passed through the
camp that the long expected ARRAY
was likely TO take place The gamblers
laid down their cards, the washers de-
serted their pans, and the women took
position at the windows, all eager to
enjoy the spectacle.
The stranger stood peering down the
road. but, turning, saw the people
watching him. There was movement
in the crowd, some fearing that he
might be irrltated at the interest dis
played and put a few shots among
them. The stranger surveyed them for
a moment with 5eontemptuous wonder,
.r.I- 4.