Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-05-28

pearCU lUiO thG "O"N'' &c
others at the cabin to make prepara'
lions for the Eomeward trip.
~ don't like the look Of this, CD
served The lieutenant thouGhlfully
"Tn afraid there's some kind Of JOB
on foot"
There's nothing they can do" Gale
answered We've got on" ground
staked cut. ard it's up to them to
choose what's left"
They were nearly ready TO set ou'
for Flambeau when the FIVE men re-
turned.
Before you 60" said Stark. II think
we'd better organize our mining cls'
trict. There are enough present to do
It,"
I'VE can make the kind Of laws we
want before the gang comes along
RunIion chimCd in, "and elect re-
1orGcr who will give us square deal"
"I'll agree if we give Lee the job
said Gale. cts coming - him as the
Liscoverer, and reckon the money
will be handy. seeing the hard luck
hes played in"
The group assembled in tie cleared
space before the cabin to make rules
AID regulations governing the district
for ii is q custom in all mining Sec
tons removed from authority for the
property holders thus to make local
laws governing the size of claims, the
amount of assessment work, the size
Of the recorders fees, the character OF
those who may hold mines and such
other questions as arise.
II was Of wondrous interest to Ne
cia TO be an integral part OF such I'M
portant matters, and she took pride in
voting on every question, but Burreil'
/ who observed the proceedings from
neutral ground, could not shake off the
notion that all was not right. Things
J moved too smoothly. 1t looked as II
there had been a rehearsal. Lee, Po-
Icon and the trader, however, seemed
/ not TO notice it.
| The surprise came when they had
completed the organization of the dis
trict ard had nearly finished adopting
| bylaws.
RunniCn moved the adoption OF a
rule that 10 women be allowed TO To-
cate mining claims, and one of the
strangers seconded it.
whats that?" said Lee, raising his
one eye from the notebook in which
rs secretary he was transcribing the
minutes.
at isn't right to let women In on a
mans game" said Runnion.
That's my idea." echoed the Sec
Dndcr.
Il s'pose this is aimed at my CIR"
said Gale, springing to his feet. Il
might have known you buns were up
to some crooked work
PoIpOn likewise rose and ranged him
self with the trader.
''Ba gar. don stan for dat!' said
he pycitcdly. "You want for jump
Nccia's claims, eh?"
"As long as I'm chairman We'll have
no rough work." declared Stark. glar
ing at them. "If you want trouble
you two. reckon you can have 1t
but, whether you do or not, the ma
iorty is going to rule, and We'll make
what laws we want to-
He tcGk no pains now to mask his
dislike for Gale. who began to move
1 l. IN, rOCnlrlf(
way. Necia. observing them, FASTENED
to her fathers side. for that which
she sensed in the bearing Of both mer
Cuite overcame her Indignation at this
tiow against herself.
"No. no; don't have any trouble!
she pleaded as she chung to the trader
"I'or my sake, daddy, sit down." Their
she whispered fiercely into his ear
Cant you see he's trying to make
Won fight? There's too many of them
Wait, Wait!'
Rurrel attempted to speak, bu
Stark, who was presiding, turned upor
him fercely
A moment later he saw the futility
of interference when Stark continued
addressing the trader:
"TEis isn't aimed at you In particu
lar. Gale, nor at your girl, for mo
ton to disQualify her isn't necessary
She isn't old enough to hold mining
property
"She's eighteen" declared the trader
"Not according to her story
wei, | can keep her claims for bel
til she gets of age"
"Wc'vc just fixed it so you can't
grinncd Runnion cunningly. mo maj
can hold more than one claim on
crock. You voted for that yourself
Too late Gale saw the trick by whicl
Stark bad used~him TO rob bis OWL
daughter.
40 Creek" Lee had the name OF
man slow in speech and action ant