Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-10-05
By HONORE WILLS
Copyright, 1900, by p. @. E0stment



= The snow had disappeared from the
valley. hedeed upon three sides By
mountains. but far up in the slopes
: there were still great white acres Of It.
I Grigsby worried a great deal about
these snow patches. At night. when
!. the camp WINS still. he lay awake hour
2 after hour considering the matter.
The New York stockholders who had
sent the young mining engineer out 20
! explore and test the mine had given
! him no information as to how, when
Z or where to protect his worklngmen.
On Tuesday Of the previous week O
! great wedge OF snow and Ice had loos-
/. ened from the peak, had hurtied down
the mountain side, gathering speed and
size as 1t went. and had killed Jim
Grady, the foreman, without even stop
ping to drop him after the deed was
done.
1.-THE Oldest Inhabltant" told Grigsby
that such would probably DC the pro-
gramme- until spring had set in thor
oughly.
So for several nights Grigsby wor-
ried. Then on a certain cold, drizzly
morning 10 called the men from the
mine and set them. one and all, at
work on his idea. The idea consisted
Of a great "V," with its apex turned up
the valley, and when completed the en-
gine house over the mine was to set
snugly In the angle OF a great fence
of logs and powders. It took three
days to complete the idea, and when It
was done Jack Grigsby squared his
handsome shoulders, set his teeth firm
ly on the amber stem OF his pipe and
said: There, by gumI I'd like to see
a snowslide harm thatF'
The Oldest inhabitant, who stood by
Jacks side, grlnned.
you've put a lot Of work on that
thing he said.
"Well. it's worth It," replied Jack.
Huh" answered the old miner, II
could "a told you something that
wouldn't "a been any work at all and
would "a been just as effective as
that"
"a nice time to be telling me thatV'
exclaimed Jack. well, what is itY'
The old nan pulled a detected look
ing envelope out Of his pocket, after q
long search found a stubby pencil and
made n few marks on the envelope
tucked the paper up on the trunk.
Grigsby followed him ~curiously. On
the envelope was written:
"Avalanches are requested not to
trespass here"
Jack roared. 'Well. you're a great
Joker"
The old man grinned, but shook his
head. "Just as good as your wedge"
he answered. you amt seen o real
slide yet. You want to move your
mine, that's what you want to do"
Grlgsby looked a little troubled. THE
president Of the company and his
daughter are due here this afternoon,
but the weather has been so snappy
lately l guess we are safe"
Then to himself as he walked away,
"Id give the world and all TO see
J Madge, but Then he looked at the V
2 shaped rampant. Gee. that would
stand anything" he said.
> The visitors were not expected until
! late 10 the afternoon, but 1t was only 1
o'clock when the short, fat millionaire
/, and his dainty. slender daughter dis
mounted from their horses and left
them at the group Of shacks on the
mountain side. Then they descended
Into the gulch. where the shaft opened.
Now, remember, Madge, no non
sense" the president was putting.
These young engineers are all right In
their places. But their places are not
as sons-In-law of mine. Seems to me
you've been showing rather a lively in.
terest in young Grigsby."
Madge shifted. but made no reply to
her fathers admonitions. They were
an old tale. whose moral did not In the
least interest her. Her father took the
chaperonage OF his pretty daughter
very seriously.
jack Grigsby ran toward them with
barred head and outstretched hand, but
the president had little time to waste
on greetings.
} "What In thunder is that mountain
Of rubbish built around the plant for 2"
he demanded.
Jack explained the mission of his
cherished idea, but the president shook
his head.
Pooh, poohF' be scofrCd. Fearful
looking mess. Better tear 10 u Don't
need that to keep of a little snow and
Ice"
Madgo ~interposed tactfully. ooh.
come on" she cried. II want 70 sec
everything"
The three walked slowly over toward
the engine house. Jack explaining ca
gerly.
where arc all the men1" asked
Madge.
Elm the mine. even the engineer. We
are having some"-
The Oldest Inhabltant grasped Jacks
arm.
"For heavens sake" he gasped, "ring
the bell. It's comln'."
The three followed his gaze. Far up
the n~iountain e the beginning Of the
vnllov fnar ana NTH fho 49,. a.