The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-08-09
A Miss and
a Mine
By Arthur Chapman

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Copyright 1917. BY W. q. Chapman.)
Seth Elkins had one way Of showing
his undying faith in Argentopolis.
There was never any lack Of flourish
when he drove the daily stage up to
the Edwards House. Scofters might
say that Argentopolis had never
amounted to anything since the silver
boom flickered and went out in '93, but
Seth made as great q commotion with
his four horses and rattletrap wagon
as he did in the days when the saloons
and dance halls were running and when
work was being pushed on the founda-
ton Of the Methodist church. The
saloons and dance halls had long ago
fallen into disuse and decay, the
church foundation had filed with wa
ter and the Edwards house had sunk
from its proud estate as a hotel to a
third-rate boarding house, but still
Seth's whip cracked and his strenuous
'Whoa!" contained nothing but a note
Of optimism.
This morning Seth made his arrival
doubly impressive. for did he not have
q lady passenger? She was the first
woman to come up Bobcat canyon since
the new biscuit shooter for the Ed
wards house had put in an appearance.
Moreover, she was what Seth termed q
"beyO0t," and he fastened to wrap the
reins about the brake and to descend,
only to find that the lady passenger
had ANTICIPATED him and had leaped
lightly to the platform unassisted, un-
mindful of the stares Of the curious
idlers of Argentopolis. She strolled to
the edge of the platform US one glad to
escape the irksome restraint of the jolt
ing weak-springed stage, and rs she
did so two men accosted the driver.
ANY man come up with you?" asked
the elder-a thickset, broad-shouldered
individual. whose deepset eyes glowed
from beneath combination of shaggy
eyebrows and dilapidated sombrero.
"NOpe."
"But mining expert was to come up
from the train-M. II. Eyler that's the
name according to this telegram" said
the younger man. Juggling at curly
growth Of tawny beard and looking dis
consolately at telegram in his hand.
my name, gentlemen-AIinnie H.
Eyler, at your SERVICE" ard the three
men turned In establishment and faced
the trinity clad and utterly unabashed
lady passenger.
"But we looked for a mining ex-
pert" gasped the young man. while
the elder could only swear to himelf
in an astonished whisper.
swell, I have been sent as such and
my examination and report ON your
property is to be accepted. Your
names, take it"
"This is Mr.. Bell, locator Of the Jay
bird mine, and I am Richard Welton."
said the young man, recovering him
self. I'VE have q team waiting and can
go to the property at any time"
Instantly the lady passenger was all
attention. The quizzical look faded out
of her blue eyes. and her determined
little chin became more assertive than
ever. She excused herself and, as she
disappeared in the doorway of the no
tel, Welton exclaimed:
"That's the first tailor-made I've seen
since l left home"
"And this is playing right into our
lands" laughed Bell. "What luck, to
! have 'em seao q fool woman on such u
trip"
Don't remind rle Of the miserable
business" groaned Welton. "'This woIn-
ans coming may make it twice as easy
for YOU. but it's twice as hard for lle.
| Now, Bell, have about conciuded-'
But here the men retired to a corner
of the platform where all Argentopn!is
could not hear their conversation.
Their talk was interrupted by min
ing expert, who emerged from the no.
tel, clad in neat cycling skirt tl.at
reached to the ankles of her sturdy
boots, blue shirtwaist that matched
her jaanty felt hat and stout leather
valise in one hand.
There are my ore sacks and pros
pector's hammer" she said as she
threw the valise in the bottom of the
wagon and leaped lightly into the seat.
"You see, don't go unprepared,
though usually carry my own chelni-
calls, too, for ground tests"
AS they drove up the winding can
yon, the sturdy horses breathing hard
in the thin atmosphere, the mining ex-
pert laughed and chatted with Welton.
She deftly kept the conversation off
mines and mining, though occasionally
she dropped casual remark about the
surface Of the country through which
they were travelling. getting look OF
surprise, not unmixed with concern,
from Bell. whose great hands were
guiding the horses.
Finally, however, when Welton had
told his unattractive tale of wild life
in college and his gravitation to the
West in the nope that heaven would
send him fortune. to accompany his
folly, she spoke of her own career.
Il know that mining is an unusual
occupation for women to follow, but
nothing is impossible for the sex now