The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1909-09-02
By JOHN IRVING DAY

Cleland's travelling trunk but there
were other things more useful to him
in the way of gambling paraphernalia.
Floyd demanded three rooms in the
hotel and by paying an exorbitant
price was able to get one large enough
to fit up as a gambling room in addi.
ton to the living rooms required for
the two partners.
The morning after the arrival of
these two modern .Iasons in the new
gold fields Mai, Skinner was sitting
in his up-to-date office next door to
the State bank building, He had just
finished dlgesting the statement of
his financial condition which his one
clerk had prepared for him and was
full Of proud satisfaction. Things
We're indeed coming his way. Every.
thing his indian fingers touched had
seemed to turn TO gold within the past
six months. Wherefore the major
wore a pleased expression when Doc
Floyd, new arrival from the east in
search of mining investments, was
ushered into his presence by his sec
rotary and man of all work.
The neatly engraved card which
Floyd presented gave no inl<lng of
his business to the man of affairs In
Rawhide, but the presence of its
bearer was at once commanding and
engaging. The major at once put him
down as one well able to take care
of his end of any deal into which he
might enter. He was nattered when
Floyd told him that he had sought him
out in quest Of advice.
II am indeed, pleased to be at your
service, sir the mining man an.
nounced, at the same time producing
box of the best cigars that could be
had in San Francisco and inviting
his caller to smoke. What can | do
for you?"
81 understand that you own the
controlling interest in little piece
OF property down in Goldfield called
the Shawneck," said Floyd. Il don't
think much of the propert. which |
looked over few days ago, even IL it
does seem to be well located. How
ever, I've seen some of the stock GER
tificates and they are work of art.
VI puy u "dSCi ioou vi thCHl vi 5O IL
the price was right"
The major noted the smile on the
face of his caller and wondered what
game he was up against. He was keen
enough to know that here was a man
who would not buy gold brick, yet
here he was speaking of purchasing
worthless stock. He decided that
thnrn in, lo;,
value for the Shawlneck mine. Be
ing in a good humor, however he an.
nounced:
well, if you want to buy me out.
| reckon we won't have much trouble
in making a trade. Why, I'd almost
play you game of seven up for the
whole layout"
"Ha ha," laughed Floyd. 80 you're
game for little sporting proposition.
are you? | always did like to see a
man who would take a chance. I've
been taking them all my life"
well, I've about quit taking
chances" returned the Pecksnlffian
Maj. Skinner. You see l don't
have to take many chances any
more. I've got a mine here that
is going to yield me million
If l get cent out of it. I'm al.
ready more than hundred thousand
to the good now and only have one
partner to cut up the profits with. It's
the first mining venture | was ever
interested in where | wouldn't sell my
last share of stock If could find a
buyer. take it that you want to
get hold of the Shawlneck property
| just as promoting proposition. Be.
fore we talk about that, however.
want to show you real mine in the
Hetty Granger"
Il should be pleased to see it." as.
scented Floyd as he followed the min.
ing man to an automobile which stood
in front of the office.
1t was indeed paying mine that
| Floyd was shown and when he limited
that he would like to buy an interest
in the property, at the same time dis
| playing some thousands of dollars in
a bantering spirit, although the avari
cious eyes of the major gazed greedily
at the money he asserted that he did
not wish to sell any part of the mine
He declared that they We're taking
out on an average of $500 worth OF
ore day and expected to strike @
richer vein at any time.
"All right, then" laughed Floyd. "It
you won't sell me any of the rca
goods l suppose I'll have to do bust
ness with you on the Golddeld prop
erty. Ii you will take me back to my
hotel l should be pleased to have
you join me at lunch and we can tall
1t over"
With the third bottle of wine, Mai
Skinner began TO warm towards his
host, and it was not until they haC
lit their cigars that Floyd reverted
to the topic OF the Shawlneck deal.
Before we go any further, I'll tel
you that l only want that GoldfelC
property because there is already {
| hC1n IN t1o mound aud gt,aIr q