Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-10-28


old Sea1og, the ruling power in the
great fisheries on the north side OF the
Columbia river near its mouth.
81 do not like the kid either, wife,
said the rugged old capitalist, who had
made his wealth in various ways. lie
had pulled oars through the storm-drlv-
EN- waves. He had sold goods over the
counters of his great store at enormous
profit. He had dispensed whisky over
his bar that was said to have been OF
his own make and was warranted to
contain snakes to the quart; he had
thrown Cinnamon from his cannery in
to the bay because they did not earn
ten times their wages; he had robbed
the fish traps of his neighbors, stolen
their property rights by night, and was
charged with having sent gillnetters to
the bottom OF the river. Upon all OF
this, old Seadog had built up an i'm
mense fortune, but it was whispered
about that he had come to the wealth
which constituted the foundation of his
fortune through some foul means the
details OF which were shroudeu in mys-
terry.
"No, do not like the kid, either"
he continued. "And much less do l
like the old bunch of mystery who is
known as her father.
"Do you know that when I learned
that they had drifted ashore from that
vessel, he more than half dead and she
but little more than spawn, felt an
noyed by it. In spite CT the fact that
there could be no harm in them l
would rather that all on board should
have been lost at the time. And it 10
remarkable that the oldest and young
est should have survived-the very ones
that under the laws of nature should
have been lost. The weakest are ac-
counted lost on such occasions under
the law, yet tina; old duck and the
young minnow broke the record.
81 don't like to think of those times,
and yet do. My trial for boarding
that wreck gave me close call. In
spite OF the fact that it was shown that
| did not attempt to carry away any OF
the valuables, and made the plea that
the boys and were only trying to save
life, there was strong suspicion that
we had SOME wicked motive in board
ing the wreck and the jury hung out
on the case until things looked shaky.
"Then it has its pleasant side. Up
on that wreck found the evidence that
put my mind to rest forever on one
point-that is, it should have done so.
l found the evidence of the death Of the
only person living who could disturb
me here. He went to the bottom of
the sea. knew he was on the vessel
beyond all reasonable doubt and when
1 found his name on the ships register
then all questions were settled.
"When found woman's name on
the register identical with that of his
own l did not understand. But upon
investigation | found that he was mar
ried year before sailing and this
cleared all matters on this point. She
went to the bottom of the sea with
him.
81 first had fears that this Sankala
might have been of their issue, but 1
| find from the ships register that one
Ringwold and his wife and child were
aboard and since old Ringwold claims
her that set all doubts straight on this
point.
"Ringwold was very old at the time,
but he appears to have had younger
wife. Besides the old fellow is half
crazy and does not know what he is do
ing half the time.
"But if this Sankala should have
been the child of the son of my only
brother, che could never prove it. All
records not in my pos session are de-
stroyed. But, still am like you. do
not like either the old man or his
daughter. She gives me that same feel
ing of uneasiness-or rather unpleas-
antness and he, we'll, he reminds me OF
rivalbof the olden time.
"That rival was about his height,
but he was slender and stood high in
life. He was even druggist to the
czar. But l, mere commoner, won
out over him and it cost me my coun-
try. had to escape by flight and
come to America. He swore vengeance
on me and I should tremble in my
shoes were l sure he is living today.
"This Ringold has eyes like the fell
low and do not like him for this reas-
on. But he as different kind OF man.
He was quick motioned, had springy
step, wore no beard and kept his hail
cut short.
"But Ringwod is like him in another
cha, acteristic, though mere imitator
While Rngwold is considerde an expert
prescriptionist for this fishing village
NV rival was the best chemist of all
the Russians. The cazr priced him
above all others. No other could fill
prescription fol his family. His posi-
ton was that of royalty"