The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-02


Several years passed. during which
the sufferings of the Stark weather
family We're in proportion to The in
creasing prosperity of the Excelsior
Mining company. Bryant, who hat
used Starkweather's money-the stor,
Of his own funds was myth-to bu.
the mine waxed fat and sleek. He wa:
known and respected throughout til,
gold region as man prominent in til,
development of the mining interests O
California;. Stark weather was pitiet
as poor devil who had neither bust
ness capacity nor luck; but, encouraged
by p'ucky wife, he went to work OF
the margin Of Il creek washing for golt
and in this way managed to keep him
self and his family alive.
But as he heard of the increasin:
volume of gold that was being takei
out of the mine that was by rights h,s
own his heart grew harder and harde!
toward the man who had swind.e,
him. Time ard again he determined
to 60 and have it out with Bryant, bu
ed by his wife, who argued that eithe,
he would kill Bryant or Bryant woult
kill him. If he killed Bryant he woult
be a murderer. He always gave way t.
her persuasions.
One day while Starlwcather was on.
prospecting he found it necessary
pass around the SIDE CT cliff v-hcr
the trail WAS but from one to thre;
feet wide. Looking ahead, he saw I;
man coming. Stark weather was i,
rags. The other man was llresst Il j.
an expensive mountain costume. 4
second glance told the former that til
latter was the de fucto owner of tn
Excelsior mine. lie had grown 10
tund and about him was an air of i'm
portance be.otten by prosperity.
The meeting was one Of contentmenf
and despair. Mrs. Stark weather wa:
not there to caution her husband and /;
resolution flashed upon him to take al
least a slight revenge. He would force
the man who had ruined him and hi
family to give way before him. There
was no part of the path between then
more than twen,y-four inches wide
Bryant. seeing a man such as he was
used to commanding coming, did no
change his gait. expecting to he 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 beard that had grown gr;z-
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 ut being
caught with a precipice below him.
his way stopped by the man he had
but made a desperate eff
fort to appear calm.
'My old and esteemed friend" con.
tinued Starkweather, II have often re-
solved to take out of your hide re-
venge for my ruin, but my patient
wife has always dissuaded me on the
ground that If killed you 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. propose that ut
given signal-you may give it II you
like-we draw and begin firing"
II am unarmed." replied Bryant.
paling. Having hut short distance
to 60. I left my revolver behind me-"
Starkweather took his weapon from
Its holster and threw it over the cliff
Some seconds after it reached the bot
tom the sound came up to them.
"Let 1t be fight with fists" he
said, |'or a wrestle with arms an'
legs"
Bryant looked in Starkwea hers eye
md saw there a resolution to take his
ife
"Are you ready?' asked Stark wea:!,
n, advancing step.
Had it not been for an immutable
purpose, plainly written in Stark
veather's eye. his opponent Nigh
have tried to argue with him or to de
'eive him by promises, but he SAW
certain death for himself and the man
ne had wronged.
"What do you wish me to do:"
"Figlt."
II mean what recompense for cnv
wrong l have done you do YOU wish?"
ooh. l never thought of that"
II will agree" Bryant proceeded. "to |
urn over to you some of my stock in
he Excelsior Mining company"
ut is not your stock; it is mine.
Iome, let lis begin the struggle. ]
lont wish to take any advantage of |
'ou while your mind is on another
natter"
"Tor heavens sake, man! At the