Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-02-24

Across the lake, seemingly not more
than half a mile. but. as he well knew
Eve miles away. he could see the bunch
Of spruce trees and the cabin. He
looked again to make sure and saw
smoke clearly rising from the chimney
Somebody else had surprised them
selves into hnding Surprise lake. was
his conclusion as he turned to climb
the southern wall.
From the top Of this be came down
into little valley. flower ioored and
lazy with the hum of bees, that be
haved quite as reasonable valley
should. in so far as 1t made legitimate
entry on the lake What was wrong
with il was its length scarcely 100
yards-its head a straight up and down
cliff OF 1000 feet. over which a stream
pitched itself IN descending wells Of
mist.
And here he encountered more
smoke. floating lazily upward in the
warm sunshine. beyond an outlet OF
rock AS he came around the corner
be heard light metallic tap tapping
and n merry whlstling that kept the
beat Then he saw the man. an up
turned shoe between his knees. into
the sole of which he was driving hob
spikes.
Hello" was the strangers greet
ing. and Smokes heart went out TO the
man in ready liking. Just in time
for snack There's coffee in the
pot. couple OF cold fapjacks and
some jerky."
"In go you IL lose was Smokes
acceptance as be sat down. i've been
rather skimped on the last several
meals. but there's coolies of grub over
in the cabin"
Across the lake? That's what /
was heading for"
Seems Surprise lake is becoming
populous." Smoke complained. empty.
Ing the coneepot
Go on. you're joking. aren't your
the man said. surprise painted on his
face.
Smoke laughed That's the way il
takes every body You see those high
lodges across there to the northwestY
There's where FIRST saw it. No warn
ing Just suddenly caught the view
OF the whole lake from there I'd Civ
en- up looking for II too"
Same here" the other agreed I'D
headed back and was expecting to
fetch the Stewart last night when out
popped la sight Of the lake IL that's
IL where's the Stewart? And where
have been all the timer And how
did you come here? And what's your
Damei"
''Bellew- Kit Bellew."
"Oh. know your The mans eyes
and face were bright with Joyous
smile and ms hand flashed eagerly ON
10 Smokes. I've beard all about You
He was slender man. wiry with
health. with quick black eyes and a
magnetism Of camaraderie.
"And this Is Surprise lake, he muir
INJURED incredulously And its bot
toms buttercd with goldg'
"Sure There's some Of the churn
ing smoke dipped IN his overall~
pocket and brought forth half a dozen
nuggets
We'll. gosh-dash my dingbats. II yon
haven't beaten me 20 H." Carson sworc
whimsically. bat his disappointment
WIS patent And I thought I'd SCOOP
ed the whole caboodle Anyway. I've
bad the fun ~ getting here
"Fuow Smoke cried Why. n we
can ewes get our hands on an that bot
tom well make Rockefeller look like
90 cents"
But it's yours" was Carson's objcc.
ton.
Nothing to It. my friend. You've
got TO realize that no gold deposit like
II has been discovered I'm all the histo-
~ OF mining II will take you and me
and my partner and all the friends
we've got 60 lay our hands on ID. All
Bonanza and Eldorado dumped togeth
er wouldn't be richer than half an acre
down there. The problem is 10 drain
the lake. II will take millions And
there's only one thing I'm afraid Of
There's so much OF IL that IL we fall 20
control the output IT will bring about
ne demonstration OF gold"
And you tell me- Carson broke
OF, speechless and amazed
Am glad 10 have you. II will take
a year or two. with oil the money we
can raise. 20 drain the lake " can be-