The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-05-28

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well-dressed, unkempt, native, for
eign-pushing and crowding. bah
bling and ge%sticulating.
There was no turning them away,
those poor fellows, for not only were
there clergymen among them, as Gin
bold had seen, but reverend gentlemen
were in many cases leaders of special
~contingents of home-seekers, and many
others in the crowd carried letters
1-om contributors to the fund which
we're not to be ignored. 1t was late
in the day before the last application
was received, the last dreary explana'
ton made, the last golden promise ut
tered. Day after day the CROWD surged
into the Office and out again. And il
grew not only in size, but in its ex
actions, for humanity in general is
very insistent in the matter of its
rights when they involve free-for-all
schemes. Then the notoriety which
the newspapers gave the scheme not
only increased the size of the crowds,
but it brought in a couple of govern.
ment inspectors, who wanted to know
if it was being thoroughly explained
to each applicant that the non-specsla,
tive clause in the government con
tract would be rigidly enforced. 1t also
brought in a "plain-clothes man" from
Mulberry street, who caused the part
ners additional concern.
They set out upon their task with
callous disregard of the consequences.
They were sending a horde of unfor,
Inmates thousands of miles away from
familiar associations, to mountaiL
Businesses which in many cases would
yield nothing to the pillow, and in re
turn they were exacting the only prod
uct which made the land worth the
acquiring. Summoned to their office.
the h-ome-seekers came one by one
and in the private room the question
was put to each. Some of them, poor
innocentsl were eager and willing tc
do anything in return for the boon of
t a promised home. Some had to be
? coaxed, some wheedled, some threat
ened, and a few, who saw through the
whole business, placated. But on the
morning of departure Gimbold and
Hochheimer had secured signed op
tions ON mineral rights from three
fourths of the home-seekers. The rest
were considered too risky to approach
On the morning of the departure
they went over to the railway station
Nothing but the fascination of seeing
the last of their handiwork took then
there.
In the depot they were given a rous
ing reception, and they beamed from
one to another of their dupes, anC
went ameng the mothers and theii
children, helping them to seats in tn,
train and bidding them Godspeed witt
a benign courtesy that was beautiful
to behold.
In the end they were compelled t.
make a speech-Gimbold made it from
the rear platform of the train
speech so inspiring in it's patriotism
so tender in it's pathos, that the en-
thusiasm invoked was tremendous
and the people struggled with one an
:, other to get to the orator, who wa
, forced to retreat into the car. Their
he met the government Inspector fac
d to face. Back of the inspector stoo,
the plain clothes man" from polio
headquarters.
And now, Mr.. Gimbold,'' began tn
Inspector, without preamble, : AN
now that you have excited those innC
d cents until their feelings are at tn
breaking-point, what do you think the
Id would do to you if l were to tell theI
ID that those options Of yours rendere
e. their homestead claim invalid?"
TT why, II stammered Gimbol,
taken aback, .I-I-don't know whs
you mean
r. 'Oh, yes you do" replied the inspe,
tor, calmly. You have with yo
s. signed options on all the ore bodie
IN underlying the claims of these peopl
to Suppose l tell them they have inval
lie dated their titles?"
Il don't believe it," clustered Cir
bold, holly. It's a point of law
in would have to be proved!v
h Granted said the inspector; "bl
those fellows wouldn't wait for IL
NJ law to settle it if l told them of n
We doubts
re Well. what are you going to I
hit about it?" demanded Gimbold, reve
Of ing to that. time-worn defiance.
MT Why, I'm going to tell them, unle'
ID. you hand over those options"
m. "Never!"
.et Il guess you'd better give them u
Gimbold," put in the "plain-clotn,
Id man. Il don't believe the chief wou
he like it to be found out that you Ia
i'll disregarded his advice"
In Gimbold thought a moment. The
.er the futility of resistance must ha'
he struck him, for with an imprecatiC
he pulled a thick wallet from h
nd pocket and handed it to the inspe
tor.
he The crowd outside surged up Il
steps and into the car, calling loud
Or. for Gimbold and his partner. The pc
III pie wanted to see more of the m,
of who had done so much for them.
While the enthusiasm was at /
height the conductor called "a
M aboard" The crowd instantly forg
Tor its gratitude and rushed for the