Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-01-14

light or glimmer the sparks that were
snatched and harrled by the blast, the
partners seated themselves on the now
der cases and conversed guardedly.
while about them sounded The low
murmur of the men who risked their
all upon this cry to duty, who staked
their lives and futures upon this haz-
ard of the hills, because they thought
it right
We've made good fight, whether
we win or lose tonight" said Dextry.
Roy replied, "My fight is made and
won.'
"What does that mean?"
"NIy hardest battle had nothing to
do with the Midas or the mines of An
vii. / fought and conquered myself"
awful wet night for philosophy
the first remarked. ITS apt to sour on
you, like milk in thunderstorm.
S'pose you put overails an gum boots
on some Of them Boston ideas an lead
'em out where can look 'em over an
find out what they're up to-
81 mean that was savage till
met Helen Chester and she made a
man Of me. 1t took sixty days, but
think she did good job. love the
wild things just MS much as ever, but
I've learned that there are duties fell
low owes to himself and to other peo-
pie, II he'll only stop and think them
cut. I've found out, too. that the right
thing Is usually the hardest to do. Oh.
I've improved lott
Gee, but you're popular with your
self. don't see us 1t helps your looks
| any. You're as homely as ever-an,
what good does It do you, after all?
She'll marry that big guy
| II know. That's what rankles, for
he's no more worthy Of her than I am.
She'll do what's right, however, you
may depend upon that, and perhaps
| she'll change him the way she did me.
Why, she worked miracle In my at
titude toward life-my manner
"Oh, your manners are good enough
rs they lay" interrupted the other.
"You never did eat with your knife. !"
81 don't believe in harakiri," Glen
lister laughed.
l
with decorum, you're right on the job
along with any Of them fasteners.
watched you close at them frisco
hotels last winter, and, say, you know
as much as horse. Why, you was
wise to them tablewares and pickle
forks equal to head waiter, and it
give me confidence just to be with you.
remember putting milk and sugar in
my consomme the first time. 1t was
pale and in cup and looked like tea.
but not you. No, sir! You sawed
plenty and squeezed lemon into
yours, to clean your fingers, I reckon -
Roy slapped his partners wet back,
for he was buoyant and elated. The
sense of nearing danger pulsed through
him like wine.
"That wasn't just what meant, but
1t goes. Say, If we win back our mine,
we'll hit for New York next, eh?"
mo, don't aim to mingle with no
higher civilization than got in
Frisco. I use that word higher like
1t was applied to meat. Not that i
wouldn't, seem apropos. I'm stylish
enough for Fifth avenue or anywheres.
but like the west. Speakin' of modes
an styles, when get all lit up in that
gray woosted suit OF mine, I guess ]
make the jaded sightseers set up an
take notice, Ell? Somethin' dom every
Il minute in the cranin' OF necks, what?
Nothin' gaudy, but the acme of neat
ness an FORM. as the Teller said who
sold 1t to me"
Their common peril brought the
friends together again, into that close
bond which had been theirs without
interruption until this recent change
in the younger had led him to choose
paths ut variance with the old mans
ideas; and now they spoke. heart to
heart, in the half serious, half Testing
ways Of old, while beneath each whim-
steal irony was that mutual love and
understanding which had conseerated
their partnership.
Arriving at the end Of the road, the
vigilantes debouched and went into the
darkness of the canyon behind their
leader, to whom the trails were falnil-
lar. He bade them pause finally and
gave his last instructions.
"They are on the alert, SO you want
to be careful. Divide into two parties
and close in from both sides, creeping
as near to the pickets as possible with
out discovery Remember to wait FOL
the last blast. When 1t comes. cut
loose and charge like Sioux. Dom,
shoot to kill at first, for they're only
soldiers and under orders, but Il they
stand-well, every man must do hii
work"
/ Dextry appealed to the dim figures
forming the circle.
II leave 1t to you, gents, IL 1t AIM
better for me to go inside than fol
the boy. I've had more experience
with giant powder, an I'm so blamed
used up an near gone 1t wouldn't hur
II they did get me, while he's right il
his prime"
Glenister stopped him. Il won'
yield the privilege. Come now-tt
your places, men,"
They melted away to each side while
the old prospector paused to wiring bill
partners hand
I'D ruther 1t was me, lad, but 4
they get you-God help 'em!'' II,
stumbled after the departing shadows
leaving Roy alone. With his naket
fingers. Glenister ripped open tn,
powder cases and secreted the content
upon his person. Each cartridge helt
dynamite enough to devastate vii
lage, and he loaded them inside hi'
pockets, inside his shirt and every