Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-13
TIE BULLETINS DAILY STORY
THE LAND OF SILENCE


 Perhaps you have been in George | town; If you have, it is place you will always remember. Nestled in a | bowl-shaped valley of the Rockies, on the line of the Colorado and Southern, | just east of the famous Georgetown loop, the little town lies, sheltered by those mighty mountain walls which nave silently watched the ages come and go.
 Great is the army of toilers that has marched in review before those senti- i mel hills, and many a monument has been cut from their weather beaten ridges to mark the resting place of heroes who have gone. But somewhere, entombed in that mighty wall of rock, rest the ashes of one whom George town will long remember.
 It was in the early days of the little mining town-days when the lure of wealth drew men away from the cities into the mountain fastness-and the village of a few log cabins began to grow and spread across the valley The rails of the C, X $. crawled slowly up the tortuous gorge of Clear creek and into the valley, forming an artery which connected the embryo town with the mother world. It was in these days that Georgetown first heard the name of Archibald Rayner.
 Tall and powerful. with shaggy beard and brows, he appeared to the curious loafers at the deSot like a lion from his native plain. Men looked at him and wondered. Two hours later they looked at each other and wondered more. A quarrel had been started in the saloon, and when the smoke had cleared away a few startled natives who looked on from a safe distance saw the newcomer standing grimly over a huddlc of silent forms that had fhaF yr-a- 4,ul NH q, lynching, but men looked on the stranger and thought better of it. so Rayner became boss of the town.
 In the mines he took the most daring risks, but always without a mishap, and the long tunnels ate their way steadily into the hills, wrestling the wealth of the earth from the grip of the mighty rock.
 Rayner became a man tu be respect ed with a respect born of dread Men were cautious of him-nll but one man. Little Jack Hudson. from Joplin. Mis- souri. had somehow become a fast friend of the giant. Again men won dered and shook their heada but Hud- son lived on.
 The two were standing. at the mouth of the tunnel one evening, watching the stars as they came stealing into the clear blue sky. Hudson smoked me6itatively-hi eyes fixed on the clear heavens above him.
 Iris a good world to be in, Archie" he said at length; "a good world"
 The huge miner grunted, looked up at the stars and scowled
 Why" he asked quietly, knocking the bowl of his pipe against a grimy palm.
 Hudson stared curiously at his friend. Why" he asked. Well, why not?"
 The miner strengthened himself up with a jerk and his glance flashed sternly into the others eyes
 Why" he repeated, scornfully Why? Say, man. are you blind?"
 Hudson's pipe dropped from his lips and he stared open -mouthed
 You say" went on Rayner sternly. 'ft's a good world Do you know what you're saying? Look out into that sky there. What do you see? Ernptinessi listen! What do you hear? Silencel The silence of ages past, the silence of men who are gone-where? Look ahead and what? The silence out of which the unborn generations come Into which you and l go. A good world? Say, Jack, you're a fooIi'
 He scratched a match noisily, lit his pipe and started down the path toward the town. Hudson followed, amazed at the sudden outburst. Silently they fol- lowed the winding path downward On nearing the foot of the path Rayner hauted on a narrow ledge overlooking the bustling little town below. Hud- son paused beside him and noted that