, 1906-03-28
CHAPTER X.

IN 80 NV IpNa hiht t'Raf
had talked long at the mouth of
the mine, Kelly and Raymond
a. left the house and walked out
along the ridge toward Skytown,
which was built where the ground rose
from a pine clad plateau to a rocky
point overlooking the valley to the
north. 1t had but one business street,
which repeated in Imprinted lumber
all the shoddy architecture of a prairie
town, whose flaming battlements pre-
tend to a dignity which they do not
fulfill.
The chief business Of the street was
gambling. Next in order stood rum
selling, with assaying Il close third.
The street was swarming, as usual, but
the talk was directed for the moment
to one topic. A convention of miners
had been called to meet in the Golden
Horn saloon, and several who knew
Kelly called out, Hello, Matt; we're
going to make you president of the
union"
Kelly smiled as if all this were a
Joke and introduced his friend and
partner. Raymond shook hands with
each mar heartily, well knowing that
If he were to remain in the camp 1t
would be well to be on friendly terms
with all. Following the lead of others,
they were soon wedged into Il throng
which filled the largest saloon Of the
street, a huge gambling establishment
called the Golden Horn, of which Mar
vim Hanley, Il celebrated gambler, was
proprietor.
For the first time since the opening
of the Golden Horns door gambling
was suspended and the machines of
chance set aside. The proprietor, a
pale man with close clipped yellow
hair, n man who looked like Il Catholic
priest. mounted a box at n end OF
! the room and called the house to order.
You know the purposes of this meet
ing" he said. Now, VINO VIII you
have for chairmanY"
"Kelly! Kelly!' cried a dozen men.
Munro shouted those farther up
the hall.
"Moved and seconded that Munro be
chairman said the smooth faced man.
"All who favor say Aver shout OF
MANY mingled voices answered. "Op-
posed, NO" Only an obvious minori-
ty voted No" Munro is elected.
Jack, get up here!
AS the new chairman's head rose
above the throng Raymond experience
ed n shock. 81 know that man., he
said under his breath. Munro was a
clean shaven, boyish fellow, with black
hair pushed back from his face. lie
was young and handsome II began
speaking in Il clear, musical and most
persuasive voice. 1t was plain he was
ON good terms with his audience and
quite certain of himself.
Il don't know why l should be made
chairman of this meeting" he said aft
err some local illusions, unless it be to
open the way for the real speaker and
man of the hour-the man who has a
message for you-Tom Larned of Dead
Pine"
While the crowd applauded Larned
climbed to his place and began to
speak. He was a short man, with a
forward thrust of the chin. His high
1OTclcdu WAS SlllOOlh duu poiN, 80
calm ines In vivid contrast with his
burning blue eyes. He ignored all Of
Munro's joking and thrust his way in-
to the middle of his contention.
II hear some men say we don't need
a union here, but l tell you you do.
You're going the way of all mining
camps. AS soon as the claims are all
taken consultations begin II wages
will be cut. A big mining camp must
be run by union labor. The work has
got to be done by men bred to the
mine, and they must be organized. If
they're not, they'll work for nothing
This camp is about to decline
mol! Nor shouted Il dozen men.
The speaker held up a hand. wait
a moment! l mean to say that this
swarm of easy going tramps scratch.
ing the surface looking for a mine will
begin to melt away. 1t is already melt
ing away. These men on horseback
these grub stakers, these burro punch.
ers, will not dig gold for other men,