The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-29
By SGnsuel 1ravsrs Clover
CHAPTER III.
Down to Hardpan.
Copyright 1901. By Lothrop
Publishing Co.


into walk
"Pretty tough experience that, observed
'SS's' s ms asa
IT should think I had idea what sort Of
den it was or guess should have kept out. Nice
ception to give stranger, ism It ite''~
The other laughed 'Oh, WELL it's what you must
cation collected; bit sorry going away
''Then you don It live hereg''
son, no; my home is in Denver; my two partners
and had offer of plenty of carpenter work at pretty
stiff prices; trade dull at home this summer
up here by wagon; but we going back to-
5 ''To Dcnver9'' queried Paul. wistfully. ..
"Yep! Don It live there, do you?''
~ ''No but I headed that way. I suppose there's
no chance to join your party, is there?"
?. ~ don't know you cook?''
Visions of his experiences in camp at Bridal Veil
Basin to Paul IS mind he hesitatingy answered.
"Wel, IN not expert but I make good coffee
the f frH '''D ap'@'A "''"0'' Spns '"s '"'S'
''Where are you stayingg',
lover at the Gunnison house,
ooh, yes; we're camped there; that's
tent Just the other side of the prairie schooner you see
to the boys tonight about it, and if you re up before
get away in the morning perhaps can fix you out.''
Paul profuse in his thanks and eagerly promised
to be on hand At daybreak he turned out and settled
his bill He had just 81 left when this DONE
splashing in tin basin Paul neared the wagon
with the green box Presently he looked UP and with
CHEEKY nHello STRANGE you did make it, didn't yous'
''Wel, what luckg'' Pauls anxious salutation.
'First rate We don't really need cook but
managed talk the boys into the dea they agreed
you might join Got any baggageF'' o..
81 have vaise at the hotel"
t .'Better get it here, then, because want to-
make early start:'' = : = 49,. "a. /
Paul fervently expressed his obligation for these
good offices and made Decline for the hotel returning
in few minutes with his grip
''Had breakfast9' asked his acquaintance who
introduced himself Jack White
'No was too early and didn't wait for fear OF
All right; might just as we'll pitch in now and show
at do he coffee nd
find plenty of kindling under the wagon.'
By the time the rest Of the outfit was up and dressed
Paul had good fire blazing and pot of coffee almost
boiled. With the handle of hammer inserted in
mustard he had pounded his beans the tire of
wagon wheel until they pretty we'll pulverized,
and having mixed batter and heated his pan he was
ready to fry the fapjacks Luckily everything went off
Down the Tomchi river, Marshall pass and
South park the little wended its way
averaging from twentygve to thirty miles day. A
saddle horse that had been bought from mpecunious
e fs and Paul. ss s M rode
hunting and fishing prime his duties were not
exaetng and his 81 were soeaDe ana good
continuous picnic the young traveller who actually
when the capital city of the Centennial state was
reached .
Pau's first night in Denver passed pile
of shavings in the workshop occupied by Jack White
and his friends It not choice COUCH but this
time to be squeamish and wrapped in his faith
full blanket the lad slept contentedy as if he were in
stYou hold this down long as you stay here,'
said Jack, 'but suppose you will be moving toward
the slope before the weeks out, chs"
Paul thought he might but hadn't quite decided
just when he would leave town. He was grateful to
Jack for his kind offer, however, and told him
ssOh that's all right Don't cost cent and
guess you won't steal anything; you look honest"
A budget of from home awaited him at the
posofice in to his letters mailed at Sverton.
All wondered how he could possibly travel around much
his slim capital, and expressed the hope that he
would be with them again.
But Paul had intention of returning yet. He
was fairly imbued with the spirit Of travel de-
termined to prove to Mr.. Wilder that it idle
boast he had made It did to be foolhardy
undertaking. he mentally confessed that noon when
writing the folks direct their letters
of general delivery San Francisco he sat with his
quarter in his pocket eating dinner in cheap
taurant Holiday street.
Perhaps it the grim humor of the situation that
10 rb;a