Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-03-30

M
/A\ over the snowy mantles of the
<S2S Buttes 1t fell on the canyon and
the river and on the long, red brown
buildings Of the Town Talk mine. An
inviting odor Of coffee and frying bacon
came from the windows Of the boarding
house and blended pleasantly with the
fresh spring air.
Down the trail filed company OF
men: it was the night shift coming home.
Their swinging dinner pals knocked the
dew from the mustard as they walked,
and left it rocking behind them, gold
en- sea Of bloom. -
Somewhat apart from the others limp
ed the little bent figure Of old Mosely.
His gaze, fastened on the. path before
him. never wandered. One hand was
thrust within his dark flannel shirt; the
other swung empty by his side.
The men crossed footbridge to the
boarding house and fell into line for the
towel and soap, but Mosely took by
path to a cabin backed up against the
hill. He closed the door behind him and'
turning away from the one window, eau
tiously drew something from within ms
shirt, looked at it moment and slipped
It again into place. Then he began pre-
pairing his breakfast
All was animation at the boarding
house. Piles Of steaming corn bread,
platters Of doughnuts and fried potatoes
were rapidly vanishing. Only now and
then was there a lull Of voices.
Ben Turner, big fellow near the head
of the table, broke one Of these silences
with the announcements: 'Old Mosely's
goin' over to hear the circuit preacher to-
morrow at the Devide."
The men stared. "WhatT" someone
asked incredulousy.
"Its straight enough" Turner an
swered. 81 heerd him ask the boss my
self. Queer, the way he limps around
after the superintendent" he chuckled;
"ain't it, thought
SHOULD think Mosely'd be afraid of
the contribution box" someone sug-
gested. "They might ask him for
nickel. How's he going to get there,
anyhow he continued. Its good
ways to the summit
''I'm thinkin' 'rentin' out the gray
mule" Turner gravely answered.
The others laughed. "Try it!' they
urged.
Half an hour later two men went uI
the by-path to the cabin. Open doors
are a pledge Of comradeship in the
mountains. Mosely closed his behind
him as a snail does, and the men resent
ed it. They raped upon it vigorously
There was shutting noise inside, Their
a hating footstep and Mosely peered out
"Hear you're goin' up to the Eastei
- l.. ~
The old man looked at him suspicious
ly. He was unused to interest in him
self of any kind.
EYES," he hesitatingly replied.
"Ride, supposeY queried Turner
'It's q good six mile to the summit
There was no answer, and he continued
'There's my gray mule. He knows ev
cry inch Of trail on the mountain, ant
as you're a bit lame, l thought mayb
you'd like him."
Mosely looked dazed, as though h
scarcely understood. He mechanical.
slipped one hand into his shirt and nerv
Ously fumbled something.
"Walkin' ID be uphill work." the mai
went on; ''the trails pretty slushy We
from the snow, but the mule'll get yo
there all right"
Mosely's hand had stopped fumblin
and lie opened his door wide. His lip
moved, but he did not speak for a INC
ment.
"It's-it's more'n I expected, The sal
at last. "Thank you."
Turner shrugged his shoulders. Don
mention it," he magnanimously replied
"The beasts yours, and about tn
price He eyed the man befor
him with keen enjoyment II guess
dollar'd be about right?
Moselys face twitched. He shifte
sestlessly from one foot to the other an
moistened his lips.
II reckon" he began slowly. Il reel
on, if it's just the same to you, L
walk"
The Town Talk worked an eight-hou
shift, and at 1920 the men began climl
ing the trail. Singly or in twos an
threes they went, their lanterns CLEAN
ing like low-hung stars against the dar
hill.
Following closely on their heels limpe
Mosely. He never carried light VIII
should he when he could see by some
ones else? At the mouth of the uppC
tunnel he paused to regain his breatl
The dim outline of the summit was jus
visible in the night
"Six miles," he unconsciously repea
ed; "but here'll be singin' at the d.
vide, and l amt heard any since
He lighted his candle and disappeare
into the drift.
The hours wore on. The hands {
Mosely's watch pointed to g; at 6:30 I'll
tunnel would be cleared for firing. II
finished his drill and viewed with I'M
mite satisfaction the slim hole direct
under the main ledge; then he began
load, three sticks Of powder to blast.
AS he fitted the fuse into the ca
someone passed him. 1t was Farris
the superintendent. He seldom yisitt