Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-05-05
CHAPTER VIII.

cate Il claim LOT nef, Inelr lTlD reQulF-
ing day and night in the forest
CHAPTER VIII.
THE KNIFE.
~ N every community, be it ever so
small, there are undesirable citi-
zens, and while the little party
was still at breakfast on the fol-
lowing morning three such members
of society came around the cabin and
let fall their packs, greeting the occu-
pants boisterously.
well, well!' said Lee coming to the
door. You're travelin' kind of early,
amt youi"
Eyes, early and late" one of them
laughed, while the other two sprawled
about rs If to rest.
How far are you goin'?"
Not far" the spokesman answered.
1--WE want piece Of this creek"
What are you goin' to do with It'll"
"Cut that out, Lee. We're on"
who wised you up to this?" in
CURED the miner angrily.
Never mind who put us Jerry.
We're here, amt we?"
The harm was DONE and there was
no use in concealment, so Lee re-
luctantly told them of his discovery
and warned them Of the stakes al
ready placed.
III step along with the boys and
show them where our upper stakes
are volunteered Stark, and Runnion
offered to do the same, adding that 1t
We're best to make sure Of no conflict
so early in the game. The five disap-
peared into the woods, leaving the
others at the cabin to make prepara-
lions for the homeward trip.
II don't like the look of this" OBJ
served the lieutenant thoughtfully.
I'm afraid there's some kind of job
ON foot"
There's nothing they can do" Gale
answered. We've got our ground
staked out, and it'ssup to them to
choose what's left.''
They were nearly ready to set out
for Flambeau when THE five men re-
turned.
Before you CO." said Stark. 81 think
we'd better organize our mining dis
uict There are enough present to 40
IT.
I'VE can make the kind of laws we
want before the gang comes along"
Runnion cbimed i'll, "and' elect re-
corder who will give us a square deal.'
'.I'll agree If we give Lee the job
said Gale. IT'S coming to him as the
will be handy, seeing the hard luel;
he's played in
The group assembled in the cleared
space before the cabin to make rules
and regulations governing the district
for it is custom in all mining sec
lions 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
1t was of wondrous interest to Ne
ella to be an integral part of such i'm
portant matters, and she took pride in
voting on every question, but Burrell,
~ cb''ViNSL iAS pLOICSlill5S
neutral ground, could not shake off the
notion that all was not right. Things
moved too smoothly. 1t looked as il
there had been rehearsal. Lee, Po-
leon and the trader, however, seemed
not to notice it.
The surprise came when they had
completed the organization of the dis
tlict and had nearly finished adopting
bylaws.
Runnion moved the adoption of a
rule that TO women be allowed to To-
cate mining claims, and one of the
strangers seconded 1t.
Whats that" said Lee, raising his
one eye from the notebook in which
as 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
onder.
~ s'pose this is aimed at my girl"
said Gale. springing to his feet. 81
might have known you buns were up
to some crooked work"
Poleon likewise rose and ranged him
self with the trader.
''Ba gar. l dom stan for dat!" said
he eXcitedly. You want for. jump
Necia's claims, chg"
las 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 it;
but, whether you do or not, the ma.
jority is going to rule. and we'll make
what laws we want to-
He took 10 pains now to mask his
!. dislike for Gale. who began to move
toward him In his logged. resolute
way. Necu, observing them. FASTENED
to her fathers side, for that which
she sensed IN the bearing of both men
quite overcamc her Indignation mt this
Ncw against herself.
NO, no; don't have any trouble.'
she pleaded rs she chung to the trader.
For my sake, daddy, sit down." Then
she whispered fiercely into his ear:
Cant you see he's trying to make
YOU fight? There's too many of them.
Wait! Waft!'
Burrell attempted to speak, but
Stark, who was presiding, turned upon
him fiercely
A moment later he saw the futility
of interference when Stark continued.
addressing the trader:
This isn't aimed at you in particu-
lar, Gale, nor at your girl. for mo-
tion to disqualify her isn't necessary.
She isn't old enough to hold mining
property"