Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-03
CHAPTER T.
TOM SCOTT TO THE RESCUE.

ONSi tue HuOuuNdluS IKE
this"
And the speaker made a bold stroke
with huge piece of chalk with which
he was ornamenting the floor of the viii
lage store in Merrivale, where every
thing was dispensed from postage
stamps to lace curtains.
Clustered about his kneeling figure
were dozen men of all ages whose
eyes were eagerly following the rude
map of Alaska which Hank Merritt was
drawing for their benefit
For stories of the wonderful wealth
Of this far-otf Eldorado had penetrated
even this remote place among tbs hills
OF New Hampshire, and the Globe re-
ports of the lucky strikes made by VEN
turesome argonauts had stirred the
blood of every man in the village until
the riches of the Yukon valley had be-
come the all-engrossing topic among
those who met every evening at this
public rendezvous to pass an hour or
two after their days toll was finished.
This is where you strike the lake"
he continued. IAN then it's bout all
water the rest o the way, near as l can
make out, Gold is so plenty they dig
1t out jest as easy we spade up worms
10 GO fishing with. Gee whiz! III like
to try it If il warn't so darned far off
an didn't cost so much to git there"
The arrival Of the mail interrupted
his artistic efforts. and when the hand
ful OF letters had been put away the
postmaster was called upon TO read
aloud from the papers anything new
regarding the favorite topic.
The steamer Z. w. Weare had eight
miners on board who brought cut
total OF $780, 900. Others had $4,000 to
10000 apiece. and some refused TO give
their figures. The steamer Portland
brought down 81, 00O. 600. One man got
s216 from pan of dirt, and two miners
cleaned up $4,000 in single days
work.
Az the reader paused one nigh, have
heard a pin drop, so intense was the ST.
lence for fully minute. Then a dozen
voices broke out in exclamations of
smazement and disbelief and in the
turmoil nothing Ineligible could be
distinguished.
There was one listener, however, who
said nothing, but after the req, had
Sslned dow aS.t ne secured @ sopy Of
the paper and FASTENED 10 the farm
where he was employed with a wild inn
pulse surging through his brain. In his
little room under the caves he eagerly
devoured the article he had heard at
the store. and in. another column he
found an interview with one Of the pio-
neers OF Dawson City, giving full de-
tails as 10 the proper outfit and its cost.
1t was mid night when the stalwart
young farmer sought his couch, and for
the first time in his healthy life sleep
refused TO come to him, for he had made
up his mind TO leave the village where
the greater part Of his youth Lad been
spent and seek his fortune in this dis
tant land, where stout heart and
strong hands seemed able TO force Ma
ture TO relax her icy grip on her golden
stores.
Tom SCOTS life had been an unovent-
full one. He was the only son of sea
captain and until the death OF his
mother they lived on Cape Cod. Then
an uncle took him on his farm at Mer-
rivale and his father continued his row.
Ing life. few years ago, however, Obed
Rider, a native of Merrivale, WHO had
sailed with Toms father as mate, re-
turned TO the village with story which
made great sensation at the time. 1t
was TO the effect that Capt. Scott had
deserted his ship at San Francisco and
absconded with n large sum Of money
belonging TO the owners.
Tom was a lad OF is at the time, but
few eyewitness would ever forget the
scene when he hurled the lie at the
brawny sailor and fought like young
tiger until overpowered by the brute
strength Of his fathers defamer, whose
nose was disfgured for life in III >n-
counter and who vowed vengeance for
his injury.
This was four years ago, but Tom
Scott still felt the disgrace cast upon
his name. His uncle had now been
dead over three years, and Tom had
saved the wages paid him by the farmer
FOR whom he had worked since that
time, until he possessed about $500.
which was deposited in the village saw
ings bank. This would buy him a min
er's outfit. but how TO reach the far
northwest was the problem.
His sleep was troubled that nipht.
but with the morning came the de-
termination to start at once for Eos
ION and trust to fortune to join one OF
the numerous expeditions organizing
there.
His announcement was received with
smazement, but Tom Scott was a man
OF prompt action, and that afternoon
saw him In Boston. He had been in the
city several times before, and had no
olIhcuIty In finding respectable hotel
where the rate was within his means.
put by the time he had eaten his supper
IL waA growing dark and a thick snow
storm set in. He determined. however.
TO lose no time in his search. and made
his way to the water front. where he
had no doubt he could obtain all the
needed information.
''an'ic avenue was practically de
Ser'ed "hen he reached it. and the bio
makes had covered The ground with y
"Hite mantle which made his footsteps
lhaudibIe rs he walked along, not win
Out "A slight feeling of uneasiness rs h.,