The Ketchikan miner., 1909-01-09


 Before getting into his cot Arshag must needs look over his jewels. making an excuse to himself to see that they were all there, but really because he loved 10 look at them. He was seen through crack In the partition by Evard and his wife. whose cupidity was excited by the sight of the sparkling gems. They saw him put them under his pill low. and In the middle of the night Evard stole ipto the room. inserted his hand deftly under the pillow and took out the bag. Then he took several of the gems. entered Herman's room and put them In his pocket. This done. the couple took the bag containing the rest of the treasure dug hole in the snow near the cabin and hid them under an overhanging rock. afterward throwing the snow back Into the hole.
 The next morning before daylight Arshag was heard storming and la mentiny. Herman and the old couple went to him. and he accused the latter of stealing his jewels.
 You accuse us of theft-we who have kept this inn ever since We were young people, we who have enter. tained many strangers and have al- ways horne good characters. Rather look to your guide to recover your loss. It Is not We who could know that you carried jewels. but he"
 All three were searched, and the gems that had been placed In Herman's pocket were found there. Arshag was but half convinced that the guide was the thief. for 1t was not likely that he would keep stolen property on his per. son. While they were ;wrangling a party. of travellers and guides came down the mountain and stopped at the Inn. Arshag consulted with them. and they advised him to go back. taking Herman with him. He doubtless knew where the rest of the ewels were and under torture would confess all. Ar well. but was dissuaded since travellers counted on being entertained at their inn and would be disappointed. Per haps some who were caught in storm might perish. So Arshag started back with the party. Herman going willing ly. Yet he was much cast down. for he knew that on the rack be would be forced to make a confession that was not true.
 There was gorge to cross directly in front of the cabin The party crossed 1t. and when on crest on the other side Herman stopped and turned the others doing the same. The air was perfectly still. There had been an unusual snowfall. and far and near the peaks were covered. The only sign of human abode in all that vas, waste of snowy heaps was the inn on the other side of the gorge. The inn, keeper and his wife were standing in front of 1t watching the travellers Then Herman raised his hand and in his loudest voice. that he might be heard across the chasm. said:
 My Agatha has prayed to the Blessed Virgin for my protection. curse you. and the holy mother vii make my curse effective"
 Hardly had the echoes of his voice died away when there was sound the untitled boom of a cannon-and in l another moment the whole side of the mountain beyond and above the cabin ] began slowly to move. Snow. ice, trees and rocks poured in one confused l gigantic torrent down on the inn and | it's keepers. Above the roar there came mingled human shriek. and the spo where the cabin had stood was buried | fifty feet beneath the snow.
 In that supersutious age only a few scientists knew. of the delicate bal. ances of nature and that a human voice setting the air to vibra ting could cause an avalanche The party regarded the : destruction that had come to the inn ! keepers direct confirmation by the 1 Virgin of Herman's curse. All knelt reyerently and with awe made the sign | Of the cross.
 The diamond merchant, convinced that the old couple had stolen his dia- monds and that the treasure had been swept away by the avalanche, went back to. Greece, and Herman married Agatha. giving up the profession of guide. Several ,years after the death of the .innkeepers. having failed to earn a living. he returned to his former call | ing. On his first trip. when he reached i:fhe,place where the inn had stood, he found t bare of snow. ;. He sat down to rest under an overhanging rock and seeing sonfe .rotted cloth tucked away in. a.cFeyice. pulled 1t out. scattering g lot of jewels at the same time. They were the stolen treasure.
 Herman returned from his trip wealthy, for 1t would in those days have been impossible to find the Greek merchant Besides, 1t was considered that. the Blessed Virgin had enriched him as well as having protected him. E. A. MITCHELL. We eYapDprafo misfortune oud hap.