The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-03-07

the sufferings Of the Stark weather
family were in proportion to the in
creasing prosperity of the Excelsior
Mining company. Bryant. who had
used Starkweather's money-the story
of his own funds was myth-to buy
the mine waxed fat and sleek. He was
known and respected throughout the
gold region as a man prominent In the
development of the mining interests OF
California. Starkweather was pitied
as a poor devil who had neither bust
ness capacity nor luck; but. encouraged
by a plucky wife. he went to work on
the margin of creek washing for gold
and in this way managed to keep him.
self and his family alive.
But as he heard of the increasing
volume of gold that was being taken
out of the mine that was by rights his
own his heart grew harder and harder
toward the man who had swindled
him. Time and again he determined
to 90 and have it out with Bryant, but
each time he was soothed and dissuad-
ed by his wife. who argued that either
he would kill Bryant or Bryant would
kill him. If he killed Bryant he would
be murderer. He always gave way to
her persuasions.
One day while Starkweather was out
prospecting he found it necessary to
pass around the side Of a cliff where
the trail was but from one to three
feet wide. Looking ahead, he saw
man coming. Starkweather was in
rags. The other man was dressed in
an expensive mountain costume. A
second glance told the former that the
latter was the de facto owner of the
Excelsior mine. He had grown ro-
tund and about him was an air of i'm
portance beeotten by prosperity.
The meeting was one of contentment
and despair. Mrs. Stark weather was
not there to caution her husband and
resolution flashed upon him to take at
least Il slight revenge. He would force
the man who had ruined him and his
family to give way before him. There
was no part of the path between them
more than twenty-four inches wide.
Bryant. seeing a man such as he was
used to commanding coming, did not
change his gait, expecting to be per-
mitted to pass without trouble. Stark
weather stopped at the narrowest spot.
standing square in the trail.
step aside. my man." said Bryant
You don't recognize me-"
Bryant started. The voice first told
him who opposed his passage. Then
beneath a beard that had grown griz-
ely under trouble the face Of his for
mer partner revealed itself to his WIS.,
ion.
''Well?" said the mine owner, not
knowing what was to follow.
Turn about and go back"
"Why should | do that?''
Because it is fitting that a rascal
should give way before the man he
has swindled."
Bryant was frightened at being
caught with a precipice below him.
his way stopped by the man he had
defrauded, but made a desperate eff
fort to appear calm.
tinued Starkweather. II have often re-
solved to take out of your hide re-
yenge for my ruin. but my patient
wife has always dissuaded me on the
ground that If killed you I would be
a murderer. Here is an opportunity
for US to have it out together. neither
surviving to pass into the hands of
the hangman. l propose that at a
given signal-you may give it IL you
like-we draw and begin firing"
Il am unarmed," replied Bryant,
paling. Having but short distance
to go. l left my revolver behind me-"
Starkweather took his weapon from
It's holster and threw it over the cliff.
Some seconds after it reached the bot
tom the sound came up to them.
Let it be q fight with fists" he
said. ''or a wrestle with arms and
legs"
Bryant looked in Starkweather's eye
and saw there resolution to take his
revenge ut the expense of his own
life
Are you ready?' asked starkweath-
er. advancing a step.
Had it not been for an immutab bic
purpose. plainly written in Stark
weather's eve. his opponent might
have tried to argue with him or to de-
Give him by promises. but be saw
certain death for himself and the man
he had wronged.
What do you wish me to dor"
Flight"
Il mean what recompense for any
wrong have done you do you wishY'
oh. never thought of THAR"
Il will agree" Bryant proceeded. ito
turn over to you some of my stock in
the Excelsior Mining company"
1T is not your stock; it is mine.
Come. let rs begin the struggle. l
don't wish to take any advantage of
you while your mind is on another
NATTER