Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-03-18

The early sun was Just gliding the
mountain tops with splendor. when
the mining camp at Roaring Creek
had begun its daily labor.
Pans we're rapidly emptied. and
disappointment or JOY shone in the
faces OF the owners as the "find" was
larger or smaller than their expecta-
tion.
Three months before. Roaring
Creek had sparkled in the sunshine,
fashing its clear waters over untold
wealth, and the tiny CLEANS Of gold
had reflected the sunlight for ages,
secure from the grasping hand of
man.
But one lucky day, prospecting
miner had discovered the place,
claims we're staked of. and the quiet
vale became a busy camp, while the
creek swept its muddy waters sullen-
ly away, and eager fingers found the
hidden wealth.
One day there came slowly up the
valley a thin-faced. solemn man, who
located claim upon the outskirts of
the camp--a poor. despised place.
where, as Bill Scriggins said. "A fell
low might shake the pan week an
not find penny's worth of dust.
But the man was quiet enough and
minded his own business, apparently,
so they let him alone, and he was
known throughout the camp as the
"Parson."
As the days passed each miners
face grew joyous. for his stock OF
dust steadily increased. and the east
ern home seemed nearer and nearer,
with its circle Of loved ones, as he
worked with redoubled zeal.
4 Suddenly there was a panic! A
robber was at work in their midst,
The Parson was the first loser. r.
One morning, as they had Just be-
gun work, he came rushing down the
hill. his thin face showing more ex-
citement than they had ever seen
there before. and waving excitedly an
empty canvas bag They showed him
a miners sympathy--substan sym
pathy. always found in the gold
mines-and as he went slowly back
up the hill, Jim Haines remarked.
iokingly:
Shouldn't wonder ef he had more
dust than be lost. Poor feller,
reckon he needs it. thought
But that was not the last robbery.
In less than week. nearly every
miuer had lost his treasured store.
Even Jim Haines. who owned great,
yellow bulldog and boasted that no
one could rob him, came down to the
claim one morning with woeful face
and an empty canvas bag.
After talking matters over awhile
he and Bill Scrlggins shouldered their
tools and went slowly up the bed of
the creek on prospecting tour, leav-
ing Scoot. the great yellow bulldog,
to guard their camp. When they
were well out of hearing Jim said,
cautiously:
'fwhat dye think l fetched ye up
here fer, BilI?"
Ter look for dust. I reckon re-
piled Bill.
Not by long chalk. I've spotted
the robber." said Jim. triumphantly
as he laughed at his comrades aston
ished face.
60 long. You hain't now:" eiac-
ulated Bill.
Yes. hev. though. Did ye ever
see this trinket afore?"
And he placed in Bill's hand gold
shirt button of peculiar pattern.
"Whew."
Bill gave a prolonged whistle.
Did ye ever see 1t afore?" re-
peated Jim
Yes. 'fev.' he answered, as he
turned it over and over. and gave
Jim knowing wink.
'Where?" demanded Jim.
"In the Parsons shirt-front." Bill
answered.
That's about the size Of it. pard,
an the Parsons the thief. I found
this ere trinket side Of my dust bag,
and Jim slapped Bill's shoulder en-
phatically. "It's all plain es the nose
on yer face. an now we must trap
him. Not a word ter the rest of EN-
till we find out sartinn
Here's my hand. old boy. I'm
with We thar" said Bill, as he ex-
tended a horny hand for the shake
that sealed the bargain.
That was two days before the open
ing of this story. The night before.
the camp had been told every eireum-
stance, for the Parsons guilt was
proved. and Jim had begged them to
keep at work as usual. until he and
Bill could bring the robber to them
for judgment, that the Parsons sus-
pieions might not be aroused.
Since then neither Bill nor Jim nor
the Parson had been seen, and a
strange spirit Of unrest brooded over
the camp-a premonition of coming
evil. of something they knew not
what.
The sun rose higher. its golden
beams falling lover and lower along
the mountain sides. until Pyramid
Peak was indeed a pyramid of glori-
Gus light. and the valleys shadows
crept away High up on Its rocky
shelf. the Devils Pulpit hung above
them over the dizzy abyss, clearly de-
fined against the black mouth of the
cave behind It. For years II had over
hung the yawning chasm, and the
strongest nerves would trembie at q