The San Francisco call., 1906-03-25


telltale f1ushes, Il think-indee I am
quite sure-ny curiosity has been ap
peased at last"
CHAPTER XIII.
Orders.
Excitement was once more running
high in the little mountain mining
town Notices had been posted at mid
day notifying all whom 1t might con-
Germ that after that day and date all
the works operating under the man
agement of The Consolidated Proper
ties would be run on half time until
further notice. That night down in the
town speculation ran riot as to the
meaning of this sudden and unexpected
move on the part of the directors of
the company. The news spread like
wildfire over the mountains and down
into the valley and sent horseman after
horseman galloping into town. raising
q cloud of dust which hung over the
little community like a funeral pail.
On the street corners, in the stores
restaurants, saloons and down in the
dance houses it was the all-absorbtng
topic of conversation.
Rumors flew thick and fast, some
attributing the shutdown to the East
ern Syndicate which had at last secured
the advantage it had so long sought
Others suggested a depleted treasury
owing to the inability Of the company
to realize on its stock. Still others
told OF worked out veins. and a de-
sire on the part of the directors
to withhold this knowledge from
the public. Whatever might be
the difficulty it was generally con-
ceded that any misfortune to Consolidated
Properties was a calamity to the COM
munity at large, as the whole district
would once more be at the mercy of its
old enemy, the Eastern Syndicate. A
gloom as heavy as the dust-laden atmos-
phere had fallen over the little. commu-
nifty.
Later in the evening a mysterious ru-
NOR began to gain currency that the pres
ent embarrassing POSITION of the COM
pany might be attributed to deeply laid
plot on the part Of the original promoters
of the Properties to dispossess the pres
ent owners. No one seemed able to trace
the rumor to its source, and the very
mystery surrounding its origin seemed
to give 1t greater credence.
Other rumors of an equally mysterious
origin began to make their appearance
rejecting more or less discreditably upon
the absent head of the company. Some
very heated arguments resulted and
bloodshed was averted only from the fact
that no one seemed willing to openly
stand sponsor for these rumors against a
man who was not present to defend him
self.
The directors of the company who were
on the ground had nothing satisfactory
to offer in reply TO the oft repeated in
quiries and insistent demands as to the
meaning Of their action, and the silence
they steadfastly maintained, even in the
face of some very uncomplimentary ex-
pressions refleoting upon their manage
ment. was ominous in itself. 1t soon be-
came evident that they could not, or
would not divulge the cause of their
strange move. and the conclusion was re-
luctantly accepted that the company was
In financial difficulties. and that one or
the other of the powerful moneyed in
terests had at last secured a death hold
on the corporation.
AS the night wore on the excitement
subsidized somewhat the conservative
members of the community sought their
rest and things went their wonted way.
Down in shanty town the fiddles squeaked
and the pianos tinkled discordantly. The
lights f1ickered and hared and seemed af-
fected by the general air of depression.
Along the main street confusion of
sound was waited out on the heavy at
mosphere. Voices became thick and gut
tural and an occasional hoarse laugh or
wild yell told plainly that "Old Red Eye
and his rum companion Forty Rod
were making their presence felt. Now
and then one of the rough fellows would
break away from his companions, mount
his horse and ride away into the night.
The dice ratified, the roulette wheels
clicked and the fiddles droned on dismal
ly into the heavy morning hours.
The orders to place the works on re-
duced time came no less suddenly to the
directors than to the townspeople, nor
were they any wiser as to the real cause
thereof or of the result to be accom-
plished by this move. Down she goes!'
Dave had unhesitatingiy declared, when
he had seen with his own eyes the brief
instructions from the president of the
company.
..Then's the orders-plain as day." Joe
affirmed with equal positiveness, after a
prolonged study Of the letter.
.HThere'll be the devil to pay down be-
low" said another Of the directors, who
chanced to be present, nodding his head
toward the town.
..Therell be worse nor him to pay UP
here IL we DON'T said Dave, with deep
significance. Get out the notices and
Wen start her to goin'. Can't set things
to bilin' too quick to suit me-.
..Might as well touch her off ourselves
If there's any blowin' up to be DONE" said
Joe with conmendable resignation. 81
reckon somebody may be gOin' Up along
with us-all this amt jest to a. -.use us
Likely to please some folks a mighty
sight, or I amt much at guessin'." said
Dave.
..Tenderfoot and his pals, I low you
mean?" queried Joe, to which Dave
nodded his assent.
.aThat's the rope he's given 'em," said
Dave "All they've got to do now is to
tanrie themselves up in It. Tenderfoot
don't dare show his head in camp, but he
amt far of. and he'll know what's goin'