Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-11-01
CHAPTER Y.

en- ages of man. and. though perhaps
they are too subtle to be perceived at
the time, yet, having swung past the
shadOwy milcstones, the epochs dis
close themselves.
Such period in the progress of the
far northwest was the 10Th day of
July, although to those concerned in
the building of this new empire the
day appealed only as the date of the
coming of the law. All Nome gath
cred on the sands as lighters brought
ashore Judge Stillman and his follow
ing. 1t was held fitting that the Sen
ator should be the ship to safeguard
the dignity of the first court and to
Introduce justice into this land of the
wild.
The interest awakened by his honor
was augmented by the fact that he
was met on the beach by charming
girl, who flung herself upon him with
evident delight.
THAT'S his niece" said some one.
"She came up on the first boat. Names
Chester. Swell locker, eh?"
Another newcomer attracted even
more notice than the limb Of the law;
q gigantic. we'll groomed man. with
keen, close set eyes and that indetin.
able easy movement and polished bear
ing that come from confidence, health
and travel. Unlike the others, he did
not daily on the beach or display much
interest in his surroundings, but with
purposeful frown strobe through the
press up into the heart of the city.
His companion was Strives partner.
Durham, middle aged pompous man.
They went directly to the offices Of
Durham & Strive, where they found
the white haired junior partner
Mighty glad to meet you, Mr.. Nc
Namara," said Strive. "Your name is
household word in my part of the
country. My people were mixed up In
Dakota politics somewhat. so I've al
ways had great admiration for you.
and I'm glad you've come to Alaska.
This is big country, and we need
big men,"
did you have any trouble?" Dun
ham inquired when the three had ad-
journed to Il private room.
Trouble" said Strive ruefully.
"Well, wonder If l did. Miss Ches-
and got busy right off. But tell me
this-how did you get the girl to act
as messenger"
"There was no one else to send" an
swered Mcnamara. "Dunham intend
ed sailing on the first boat. but he was
detained in Washington with me, and
the judge had to wait for us Mt Seat
tie. We were afraid to trust stran-
ger for fear he might get curious and
examine the papers. That would have
meant He moved his hand elo-
quently.
Strive nodded "I see. Does she
know what was in the documents?"
Decidedly not. Women and bust
ness don't mix. I hope you didn't tell
her anything"
mo; l haven't had chance. She
seemed to take dislike to me for
some reason. l haven't seen her since
the day after she got here"
"The judge told her it had something
to do with preparing the way for his
court" said Durham. land that If the
papers were not delivered before he
arrived 1t might cause lot of trouble
litigation. riots. bloodshed and all
that. lie filled her up on generalitics
till the girl was frightened to death
and thought the safety Of her uncle and
the whole country depended on her"
"Well," continued Strive. ITS dead
easy to hire men to jump claims, and
It's dead easy to buy their rights after
ward, particularly when they know
they haven't got any. But what course
do you follow when owners so cunning
for your"
Mcnamara laughed.
"Who did that?"
"a benevolent. silver haired old Tex
IN pirate by the name Of Dextry. He's
one-half owner in the Midas and the
other half mountain lion, as peaceable.
you'd imagine. as benediction, but
with the temperament Of Geronimo.
I sent Galloway out to relocate the
claim, and he got his notices up in the
night when they were asleep. but at 6
a. IN. he came flying back to my room
and nearly hammered the door down.
I've seen fright in varied forms and
phases, but he had them all. with some.
added starters.
Glide me out, quick" he painted.
"What's up?' asked.
awe stirred up n breakfast of griz-
ely bear, smallpox and sudden death,
and 1t don't set we'll on my stummick.
Let me In
II had to keep him hidden three days.
for this gentle hammered old cannibal
roamed the streets with cannon In
bis hand, breathing fire and pestilence."
Anybody else act up3" Queried Dun
ham.
mo; all the rest are Swedes, and
they haven't got the nerve to fight |
They couldn't lick spoon If they
tried. These other men are different,
though. There are two of them-the
old one and a young fellow. I'm lit
tie afraid to mix 1t up with them, and
II their claim wasn't the best in the
district I'd say let 1t alone"
"I'll attend to that" said Mcnamara.
Strive resumed:
Eyes, gentlemen. I've been working |
pretty hard and also pretty much in !
the dark so far. Pm cropping for light. |
When Miss Chester brought In the pa
pers l got busy instanter clouded
the title to the richest placers in the
region, but I'm blamed II I quite see
the use Of 1t. We'd be thrown out of !
any court in the land IL we took them |
to law. What's the game-blackmatl?"
"Humph!" calculated Mcnamara.
"What do you take me for" i
aIA,nl IL IlonS s.nn,,, s..,nM fa,, leo L