Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-02-24


wife, that the chances don't warrant
the trouble, hut Tln worn out with
this desoiatiou and am yearning to see
people. feel as IL must have one
of my own sex to talk to, even II only
for day
"'Well, sweetheart, 30. but don't stay
any longer than to have good chat.
for I'm very anxious to make the
test
$50 the next day Aaron took her
where she could get some one TO take
her on farther and left her to go back
TO the cabin. AS she kissed him good
by she looked at him wistfully and
said:
Aaron, | won't leave you again. |
know how lonely you are without me,
how hard 1t Is for you to have to get
your meals. and worry for fear
something will happen to you. What
would you do while am away IL you
should become sick or meet with an
accidentT
"'Never mind about that, Rosie.
Bring back the chemicals as soon as
you can
va, tLEIt y bltltS III NIidt, Adi pl'
Don't think about it. You're sure to be
disappointed
They parted. Rosie going on and
Aaron going back to the cabin. 1t
seemed very quiet there without his
wife. and he wished il was the end i'll
stead of the beginning of their separa-
ton After he had cooked and eaten
his supper he sat smoking his pipe,
thinking about what the tramp had
told him. He realized that there was
scarcely a chance of what he had seen
being borax. but the thought of what
would happen If it should be borax
sent thrill all through him. He
would be the only person to know 1t.
and no one was likely to come into
Death valley to learn Of the secret be-
fore he had established his legal claim
to all the property he cared to possess.
"In ten days Rosie came back with n
substance she had obtained from Il
chemist. But neither she nor Aaron
thought much about this, they were so
glad to meet again. After day or two
Rosie spoke of it and asked her hus-
band when he was going to Death val
ley. He said he dreaded to go. for he
felt sure he would have his trouble for
nothing. But Rosie said that since
they had the materials they might as
well make the trip and she would go
with him.
80 the next day Rosie spent the
morning preparing lunch of antelope
steak-thls was all there was, since
thnN liUpl IN, ha
| afternoon they set out for the valley.
"They reached their destinatio some
time before sunset and, having pro-
cured some of the substance they had
gone for, they mixed 1t with the
chemicals. But they did not wish to
ignite it till night came, because they
might not be able by daylight to tell
whether or not the flame was green
More than an hour must elapse before
1t would be dark, and they spent the
interval in suspense. SO much de.
pended on what they hoped for. Aaron
did not care SO much for himself di-
fcctly. 1t was of Rosie he was think
ing. For years he had kept her in
wilderness, and now If this substance
We're boraX he could take her wher.
ever she cared TO so. While he was
thinking of this the wife's mind WAS
fun of dread lest her husband, who
had built great hopes on this matter
should be disappointed.
The sun set, darkness came, and vet
Winters delayed TO apply the match.
"'Why don't you light TT. AaronY
asked Rosie
Aaron made no reply. None was
needed. His wife knew he dreaded
the disappointment that both felt was
almost sure TO come. They had had
no careful description Of the appear
ance of the substance the tramp had
seen, and even IL they had there might
be resemblance without the substances
being at all alike What folly to ex-
pect that they were the same!
Then Aaron scratched Il match and
held 1t to the combination. 1t blazed
up In bright fame.
at burns green. Roster he shouted.
We're richr
so they were for people who had
been so poor. They sold their proper
ty for $4,000
Dut thSS were hpt CITY people uill
would not enjoy a city life. Therefore
the fortune they acquired was all they
needed TO make turuI rvurIvr,ou.~ 49,
happy. They bought n ranch in Neva-
da, where they enjoyed a country life
md had all the neighbors they wished
for.
That's the story. my dears. as !
heard it, and ] think it's about as It
happened The west is full OF such
wonderful cases Of people without
money, even in rags. lighting upon
something Of great value to make
them rich 1t was not riches that
Aaron Winters and his wife required
to make them happy. but sufficient
mefAs to enable them to leave the
Death valley region"
Actor Fields Joke on Tax Man.
Lew Fields. the actor. appeared at
the tax department in New York city
the other day and. tackling Tax Com
missioner White, demanded: You said
you had $4,000 here for me. Now
show me" When Mr. White recov-
cred from his surprise he ascertained
that Fields had been assessed for that
amount and was endeavoring to ex-
plain he didn't possess it. Not a
chance" Fields said. II spend It fast |
er than / get 1t. Ask Mrs. Fields"