Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-17
CHAPTER XXI.
artin Young Tells What He Saw.


Those were duh days at Jacks. Jack
was like surly old lion: he showed his
teeth to every one who got gay" Who
ever had a story to tell told 1t in an under
tone. inefrectively. missing the point. and
winning only a faint. half-hearted response.
A for singing there was none of 1t.
Who could enjoy glass under such cir
c,irnstances7 1t was whispered around
among the frequenters of the saloon that
lack would have to go out of the bus'-
ness.
Late that chilly November afternoon.
however, after the gray day when the su-
perintendent OF missions called on vaughan,
a crowd had gathered such as hau not peeii
seen at Jacks in weeks. All the old set
were there and many others who came out
seldom Barker. Winslow, Ned WlKihs, as
well as 10 and Dick and Tim Noonan. This
was partly due to the weather. when, IKE
~ crack ~ a whip on the first cold nights,
ia ant TO drive human animals herding TO-
gether And II was due also. In part 10
the report that the superintendent or mis-
sions was in town-had come IN TACT "
match nm mstters for the parson. Some said
the thing couldn't be done, others contend
ed that the parson would De more popu-
lar than ever in a months time. Inc COM
pauy broke UP into groups ana ulScusSeu
the situation-not before Jack; he would
not allow a word the subject to be said
AT any time In his presence. He went from
group to group now. and, as soon as ne
drew near the topic of conversation was
changed About o'clock, as one and an
other threatened to go home Tor srup,
Martin Young stumbled up the steps and
almost fell into the room
For Gods sake. give me drink, some
body," he called. His hand shook as 1t re-
ceived the tumbler and he spilled very
nearly half the contents on MS clotnes-
Seen a ghost, Mart2' inquired jaunty
young miner.
Ghosts be d. returheu mar iA
solemnly
CT me another! he called hoiulhs out
the empty tumbler.
nv this time he had become the center of
interest. Every one pressed Forward curl
Gus TO learn what Martin Young saw
The second glassfui followed the first and
then ne. turned and faced them. his small
reddish eyes redder than ever. his bristling
beard awry.
MARI they urged What was it?''
re glanced toward Jack standing by
himself. apart from the crowd, grave.
watchful his brows bent In the anxious
frown they perpetually wore these days.
II see an awful sightr' he said impress
kiyely. wiplng his mouth with the back OF
his hand II sea man-puSh d woman
over the Giegar grads-an' then-jump over
hisseifH
What MANI"
What man2'
what woman
They crowded him. Jostied him. Barker
and Winslow and Ned Wilkins rubbing ell
hows with the rest. What man? What
woman" they repeated But they knew
what man and what woman
Only Jack remained aioof and silent. grip
ping a chairback till the knuckies of his
great hands stood up white and hard.
What man? What woman they asked
again.
Martin looked at Jack before he answer
ed The parson-an'--an'-
Before he could finish Jack was In the
midst OF the group. shaking Martin as a
terrier shakes a rat. I'VE low-lived cur!''
ne grOwled between his teeth. I'VE d-n
Hart
ITS the truth. fore Gawdr' declared
Martin. rolling up his eyes until very little
more than the whites showed 'Lemme go.
Jack. It's Gawds truth. Hope / may die
AZ 1t amt You go round by the lower
road an you'll find 'emr'
Boys" called Jack. one hand still on
Martins collar. there's been an-accident.
who'll go along o. me on a search7
II Wilt said Dick promptly.
SOIL IT, said 10.
Half a dozen stalwart fellows Joined them
Lanterns. ropes. ladder were procured.
Now" said Jack. Jerking Martin into the
front OF the line. lead on; and II we've lied
i'm be as much as your DID neck's WORTH"
Martin led the way. down the dim streets
by 4 sudden turn to the right. over mar
row. dipping pathway that wound and chung
60 the side OF the mountain. Now and then
q man fell over tree root or q stone. swore
deeply. picked himself UP ana went on.
grumblinR: otherwise they marched In 81
lenee. The swinging lanterns sent their
rays out. this side and that. revealing
giinpses OF the gray sage brush and huge
aichen-blistered rocks. There was nothing
else.
They were almost at the end Of the path.
when suddenly. by common impulse the