Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-21
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IA By ~ ~
/y7NA REX BEACH I'M Y
~ coryR,cHrieoe AARpess sRoTHrRss ~ ~
BY
K BEACH
RioMr.looe.s 81 HARPER & BROTHERS
CHAPTER VIII.
THE nNIrr

| zenS, ana WINE the tl1ttle 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 you?"
Yes, early and late" one of them
laughed, while the other two sprawled
about as II to rest.
"How far are you goin'?"
mot far" the spokesman answered.
I'VE want a piece Of this creek"
"What are you goin' to do with it?'
"Cut that out Lee. We're on"
"Who wised you up to this?" In
quired 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.
"1ll step along with the boys and
show them where our upper stakes
are" volunteered Stark, and Runnion
offered to do the same, adding that it
were 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 prepare
tons for the homeward trip.
Il don't like the look Of this" OBJ
served tie lieutenant thoughtfully.
'I'm afraid there's some kind of a Job
| on FOOT
'There's nothing they can do" Gale
answered. "We've got our ground
staked out, and it's up 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, "I think
we'd better organize our mining dis
trict. There arc enough present to do
It,"
1--WE can make the kind of laws we
want before the gang comes along"
Runnion chimed in, ''and elect re-
corder who will give us square deal"
"I'll agree If we give Lee the Job"
said Gale. "1t's coming to him as the
discoverer, and I reckon the money
will be handy, seeing the hard luck
| 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
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.
1t was Of wondrous interest to Ne
cha to be an integral part of such i'm
| portant matters, and she took pride in
voting on every question, but Burrell,
| who observed the proceedings from
| neutral ground, could not shake off the
notion that all was not right. Things
moved too, smoothly. It looked as If
there had been a 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
trict and had nearly finished adopting
| bylaws.
Runnion moved the adoption of
rule that no 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
as secretary he was transcribing the
minutes.
ut isn't right to let women in on q
mans game" said Runnion.
"That's my idea," echoed the Sec
onder.
II s'pose this Is aimed at my GIRL"
said Gale, springing to his feet. II
might have known you buns were up
to some crooked work.
Poleon likewise rose and ranged him
self with the trader.
"Ba gar, dom stan for dat!" said
he excitedly. you want for jump
Necia'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 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 no pains now to mask his
dislike for Gale. who began to move
toward him in his logged. resolute
way. Necia, observing them, fastened
to her fathers side, for that which
she sensed in the bearing Of both men
quite overcame her Indignation ut this
blow against herself.
mo, no;$don't have any troubleg
she pleaded as she chung to the trader.
"For my sake, daddy, sit down." Then
she whispered aercely into his ear:
"Can't you see he's trying to make
you fight? There's too many of them.
Wait! Waltz
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-
ton to disqualify her isn't necessary.
She isn't old enough to hold mining
property"