Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-08-02

cept that the proprietor was
curt and had no time for us at all
From that point, still dissatisfied, we
extended our investigations beyond the
Plaza. We found ourselves ankle deep
In sandhills on which grew coarse
grass and a sort of sage. Crazy, ram
shackle huts made Of all sorts Of ma
terial were perched In ali sorts Of
places. Hundreds Of tents had been
pitched, beneath which and In front Of
which an extremely simple housekeep-
ing was going in Hunt as we might
we could find no place that looked as
though 1t would take dodgers. Most Of
even the better looking houses were
simply tiny skeletons covered with pa
per, cloth or paint. BY painstaking
persistence we kept at It until we had
inquired Of every building Of any pre-
tensions. Then. somewhat dlscour-
aged, we picked our way back to the
shore after our heavier goods.
The proprietor Of the Parker House
greeted us with undated good nature.
II know how you boys feel" said he.
There's lots In your Ak. You'd better
stick here tonight and then get organ
lied to camp out II you're going to be
here long I suppose, though, you're
going to the mines. Well it'll take
you several days to make your plans
and get ready. When You get back
from the mines you won't have to
think about these things"
There's plenty Of goldT ventured
Johnny.
Bushels"
II should think you'd be up there"
II don't want any better gold mine
than the old Parker House," said he
comfortably.
We paid him $24.
BY now 1t was late TN the afternoon.
The wind had dropped, but over the
hills to seaward rolled soft beautiful
bank Of fog. The sun was blotted out
behind It, and a chill fell. The crowds
about the Plaza thinned.
We economical our best at supper,
but had to pay some s. for the four Of
us. The bill was Ia carte and con-
tanned such items as grizzly steak, an
telope, elk and Wild duck and goose.
Grizzly steak, remember, cost dol
lar and quarter. By the time We had
finished It had grown dark. The lamps
were atight, and the crowds were be-
ginning to gather All the buildings
and the big tent next door were a
blaze of illumination. The sounds Of
music and singing came from every
side. A holiday spirit was in the air.
Johnny and I were crazy to be up
and doing, but Talbot sternly repress-
ed us, and Yank agreed with his deci-
sion by an unusually emphatic nod.
1T Is all a lot of fun, I'll admit"
said he, "but this Is business, and
we've got to face 1t. Sit down here
on the edge Of this veranda, and let's
talk things over. How much money
have you got, Yank?'
1.-TWO hundred and twenty dollars"
replied Yank promptly.
you're partners with me, Frank, 80
know our assets" said Talbot with
tact. "Johnny?"
Hanged II l know" replied that
youth. i've got quite lot keep
1t in my pack"
"Well, go find out" advised Talbot.
Johnny was gone for some time. We
smoked and listened to the rather bla.
family mingled strains Of music and
wached the figures Of men hurrying
by in the spangled darkness.
Johnny returned very much excited.
"I've been robbed"' he cried.
Robbed? Is your money all gomez
mo; there's little left, but
Talbot laughed quietly.
"Sit down, Johnny, and cool off," he
advised. IF anybody had robbed you
they'd have taken the whole kit and
kaboodle. Did you come out ahead on
those monte games?"
Johnny blushed and laughed little.
II see what you're at, but you're
away Off there. just played for small
stakes"
"And lost lot of them. sort Of
look out your game. But that's all