The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-08-15


feet higher into the thin and deckless
air. Bozle and Hoffman and Indian
Creek and Eureka and a half dozen
other villages lay below.
This was the town, the camp, toward
which Raymond had been gazing in
longing and irresolution for two years
and to which he directed his steps as
soon as he was able to walk with
something of his old time vigor.
For a 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 at 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 "a place
whereon to try his hands at labor.
One night as he sat toasting 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 a 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 a
mountaineer. His massive head, coV-
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
clap2ed him ON the back and called
out, Hello, Kelly" Raymond realized,
with a pleasant warming of the heart,
that he was looking upon Rocky Noun
tain Kelly, who knew the ranges OF the
west as intimately as 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. "I am, sir What can
lido for ye?"
.I've heard you're a good natured
man." began Raymond.
Nelly slid his hand into his pocket
'How much is it?'
Raymond laughed "Do I lock like
that?"
..You look like a sick man," replied
Kelly, scrutin!zing him. "And hun
cry man.
4Im 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 a business matter. If you
had little money and wanted to
break into mining, what would you
do%
..Take out a lease" answered Kelly
promptly.
sDo you know Of promising prop
erty to lease?'
81 do''
sW;ll you show it to me?''
s.I will"
Raymond was amused by the crisp
succinctness of these replies. It was
plain that the prospector was sizing
him up. and favorably.
Kelly indicated a chair ''Sit down,
man: We look like a citizen with a
lung faded Where are ye from?'
I'm a rancher from the plains"
and We want to mine?"
"Yes."
Its ninety-nine chances to one ye
lose y'r wad."
81 know it,
Have ye wife?"
Il have not"
ANY one dependin' on ye?'
NO one.''
Kelly relaxed, and his eyes began to
gIeam friendlily "Very we'll, then, 1
consent to rob ye I'm the owner of
one mine into which I've put me last
dollar but I know a dandy proposition
which I'd like to display. III take We
with me over the hills when we're lit
tie better acquainted with me. and
when we've seen the mine We'll talk the
terms Of partnership. The bankers all
know me, and the faro dealers likewise,
the more shame to ne A smile Of SIM
gular charm curved his handsome lips.
But never mind chat. Matt Kelly nev-
er tuck advantage OF any man. and
that, | think, yell find me neighbors
agreed upon. I'll not say l like the
looks Of ye-that would sound like
blarney-the truth bein' I'm seekin'
partner. hut in day or two III lay me
scheme before ye.'
fro BE CONTINUED