Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-03-07

. Z
chap. your friend, named Lewis, beat
him out of claim by jumping it
while he was sick. He wanted you to
jump another claim and you refused.
Don't you remember"
'tYes. now / do"
THAT was mean trick in Lewis.
He made $4,000 out of it, though.
Hope he may enjoy it. It didn't hurt
me much. Got plenty without that
The other mine turned out big Made
me rich. How you doing?"
Well, little slow, I'm afraid"
$50? Haven't struck anything down
here, then?"
Not yet"
TOO bad. What would you think
if I was to tell you that you are
rich?''
'I should think you were joking. Of
course
"I never joke You are rich"
Joe shook his head and smiled
sadly.
Don't believe it, eh?" the old man
| cried.
II can't imagine any possibility by
| which such a thing could be So" Joe
replied
| Cant you? Do you remember the
| claim you abandoned up there at the
Point?"
Eyes, remember that ought to.
after wasting nearly a year on it.
"That claim 10 still yours, and
there is fortune in it It's worth
100000 any day. prospected it and
| know Been offered that for 1t.
Where's your friend-Lewis?
"He's gone to town. Are you sure
about that claim of miner"
4 "Of course. You can have $100, ,009
for it any day I'm going back. and
want you to go with me. just came
down for a day or two. Got daugh-
ter, and heard she was down at town.
Came to meet her. Maybe you know
4 herr"
"T may, but believe have forgot
ten your name Or did I ever know
it?"
'T guess not. Everybody called me
Shortcut. The way talk. you know
Remember"
eyes. Your real name is"
Harmon. Zach Harmon"
Joe gave start, and his face pa1ef
and flushed. The old man saw moth
ing however, and presently he ratified
on:
'I haven't, seen my daughter fol
five years. Haven't heard from hel
for long time used to write Il
her back home, but got out Of tht
} habit. Not much mail going up there
, you know. I heard last week she was
down here A man, from down her,
told me- He said she had come OF
to hunt me up if l was still living
E Fine girl, and I am anxious to fns
her Do you know herr"
'What is her first namer Jo
{ asked.
Il Jane
Il Joe was silent moment then b
z answered. quietly:
eyes, think know her. At leas
9 know a lady Of that name"
Al $50? Then it is my daughter. Wher
is she?''
. Down in town."
eyes. How far from herefs
: about three miles"
$50? Well, I must get on. Anxiou
to see her, you know. Five years
:, a long time. I'll see you tomorrow.
Joe hesitated moment, then b
: :, said:
Perhaps ought to tell you some
; thing before you go. Mr.. Harmon"
well. what is 1t ~
!. Lewis is down there.
4 Down there! With my girl. 70
meant"
Yes"
n what for? Want to marry herr"
: ''I think So"
:. The old mans eyes blazed.
= The scoundrel!" he cried. 'I'
soon settle him, though. Guess sh
don't know that he robbed me. VIII
e didn't you tell herr"
:. Il didn't know who you were.
= never dreamed Of you being he
father"
q That's SO. Well, must hurr,
le Would you come with me? Wish yo
- would to show me the way
Z. 'Ill come. If you wish it,
- "All right, come on"
They passed out of the gulch az IL
night began to fall They went dow
10 the mountain in the darkness Thel
>, was comparative silence betwee
y them. Now and then the old ma
10 jerked out q short sentence and il
answered. That was all.
n "Can win herr" he said to himsel
= ''Or is 1t too late?"
:. He remembered Lewis air of con1
- dence, and he sighed. and in his hea
there was a feeling Of fear.
~ This Is the house." he finally al
J, nounced.
~ Without making his presence know
~ ~ the old man threw open the door al
=. walked in. Joe followed They can
=. upon Lewis and the girl. sitting togethe
- and the former was declaring his Iov
=, The old man walked straight up to Lew
:. - and raped him over the head with b
~ cane.
- "Ha! Scoundrel, villain, theft" !