Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-28
HAMLIN GARLAND

and to which lie directed his steps az
soon as he was able to walk with
something of his old time vigor.
For week he did nothing but stroll
slowly up and down the streets Of Bo-
zle studying his surroundings, listen
ing to all that was said and asking
searching questions of every man who
seemed to know anything Of mining
matters. The altitude Mt first troubled
him greatly, but he ate we'll and slept
well, and day by day his strength and
native resolution expanded within him.
and he began to definitely seek place
wherein to try his hands at labor.
One night as he sat toastlng his shins
before the big fire In the hotel he be-
came immensely interested in the grand
physical proportions and easy, unstud-
led grace Of middle aged miner who
stood with his back to the fire replying
to the rapid questions Of young re-
porter whose head was bent absorbedly
above his notebook and pencil. The
prospector satisfied every requisite of u
mountaineer. His massive head, COW
cred with grizzled hair; his handsome,
weather beaten. smiling face; his worn
, laced boots, spattered with mud; his
rusty brown Jacket and his broad hat,
worn with careless yet unfailing grace,
made him easily the most picturesque
figure in the room, and when some one
clapped him on the back and called
out Hello, Kelly!" Raymond realized,
| with pleasant warming of the heart,
that he was looking upon Rocky Noun
tain Kelly, who knew the ranges of the
west as intimately Hs the lines on the
palm of his hand.
Seeking opportunity, he touched the
big man on the shoulder. care YOU
Matthew Kelly?"
! Kelly turned his keen gray eyes on
his questioner. II am, sir. What can
do for ye?"
i give heard you're n good natured
man." began Raymond.
! Kelly slid his hand into his pocket.
"How much is it?"
| Raymond laughed do look like
thatT
! "You look like sick man." replied
Kelly, scrutinizing him. "And a hun
cry man."
I "I'm neither" Raymond smilingly re-
piled. 1--WE just eaten the supper
! they serve here, and I'm fairly COM
/ Portable, but want to ask your ad-
vice about business matter. If you
had a little money and wanted to
! break into mining, what would you
dor"
"Take out lease" answered Kelly
promptly.
"Do you know Of promising prop
srty to lease"
II do"
"Will you show it to me?s
IT will"
Raymond was amused by the crisI
succinctness Of these replies. It was
plain that the prospector was sizing
him up, and favorab1y.
Kelly indicated chair. "Sit down
man; We look like a citizen with q
lung faded. Where are ye fromY
"1'm rancher from the plains"
"And ye want to miner
Eyes"
"It's ninety-nine chances to one ye
lose y'r wad"
ri know it."
"Have ye wifeY'
II have not"
ANY one dependin' on yep
mo one"
Kelly relaxed, and his eyes began tc
| CLEAN friendliiy. Every we'll. then. ]
consent to rob ye. I'm the owner Of
one mine into which I've put me las,
dollar. but know dandy proposition
which I'd like to display. I'll take "
with me over the hills when ye're lit
tie better acquainted with me, and
when ye've seen the mine We'll talk tho
terms of partnership. The bankers al
know me, and the faro dealers likewise
| the more shame to me-" A smile of sin
gular charm curved his handsome lips
"But never mind that. Matt Kelly new
er tuck advantage Of any man, and
that, I think, yell find me neighbors
agreed upon. I'll not say like the
looks Of ye-that would sound like
blarney-the truth bein' I'm seekin' a
partner, but In day or two I'll lay me
scheme before ye"
Putting aside business, they talked OF
their personal affairs, Raymond guard
edly, Kelly with entire freedom and
some humor. Kelly was married and
had two little boys, for whom he was
now living. "Since Nora came" III
said, with tenderness, 81 drink no
more, but gambling is in me blood.