The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-03-30
THE UNkNOWN
lorigInaLl

lorgInaLl
1t 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
nlation was made up OF, first, the gam
blers, who stood highest in the scale;
second, tue miners, and. third. women
who had drifted in Ike refuse ON
flood. There was one more element.
but so small that II is scarcely worth
counting a few lrreproachable repre-
sentatives OF the softer sex.
One day Il stranger came tramping
up all the way from Denver and stop
pen In the easternnlost camp, now re-
spectacle town. He hunted 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 a tour
OF every camp, he returned TO the first.
and there he remained.
The quickest way to attract attention
Is 10 arouse curiosity. Every one felt
sure that the unknown was waitin:
and watching for some one who had
done him n great wrong and 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 a burial. and the denizens of
that region would 30 on washing for
gold as before, waiting for the next
episode to break their monotonous
lives. BUT who was this some one. ana
how had lie injured the stranger: He
could not have taken his money at
cards, for the stranger seemed 10 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 mt the stranger ON the flank.
Ever been much OF card playerr
lie asked.
NO"
Had a rich hole in the ground
jumped or anything like that?'
NO.
"AIarrledg
NO" ..-.:ssT
Ever been marriedT
yes"
The unknown gave hitch to his re.
volver, 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 1t out o. him." said Tut.
"What is itf' asked all ut once.
did you see him hitch his revolver?
can always tell when touch the ten.
der spot in a man, cause his fingers
invariably 90 to his weapon. asked
him II he was married, and he said no.
Then asked him IL 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
ly painted him as driveling. coward
ly little man with crafty look In his
eye. the women us splendid specl-
men of manly vigor. though there was
no rule for this. All hoped that II he
ever came the stranger would not get
the drop on him 10 preclude the posi-
bility Of fair fight.
But would the unknown ever Gomez
For n time the stranger seemed to be
troubled lest he should not, going
about with lowering brow and giving
rasping replies TO any one who ven.
tured to spes.S TO him. Then all of u
sudden there was change. Whether
he had received some important infer
nation. some clew or other means OF
knowing of his enemy's movements
was not apparent, but 1t was notice.
that us soon rs the creaking OF the
stage that semiweekiy numbered up
the incline was heard in the distance
he would go out to the road, fix his eye
on 1t till II arrived, then scrutiniZe the
passengers.
One afternoon the stranger. catching
the creak far below-for 1t was blown
westward on an east wind-went ont
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 on the approaching
coach. Word was 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 10
enjoy the spectacle.
The stranger stood peerlng down the
road, but, turning, saw the people
watching him. There was movement
in the crowd. some fearing that he
might be irritated at the interest dis.
played and put few shots among
them. The stranger surveyed them for
a moment with contemptuous wonder,
thar, t,,,.,,al .a..,gr 80 a.. ....,mf.