Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-07-18
AN EVEN SCORE:
BY CHARLES n. BRENNAN.

trict." voted half OF the people of Ac
ton, referring to Gregory Rhodes.
"He is man thoroughly unjust and
INSCRIPTIONS" echoed John Throop
In his mind, for, though poor. and
troubled and wronged, he never ut
tered a word aloud against any fellow
being.
Throop had reason to distrust. de.
spise and dislike Gregory Rhodes. The
latter had got him In his clutches
through a loan of a few hundred dol.
lars. Once a victim was in the net
of the old usurer, he was lost The
Throop. according to his despoiler and
the documents he had been foolish
enough to sign, brought him to a stage
where the farm lay under n heavy
debt It was over his manifold
troubles that Throop was rejecting
mournfully when a brisk step sounded
on the gravel walk, and a young man
Of about twenty strobe up to Throop,
seated on the house steps. The yisi.
tor had the air of sturdy Westerner,
a bronzed face and fearless, aggres-
sive manner
Don't know me?' he questioned.
I'm no stranger. Look twice"
1T can't be-surely not-Mort Al
len |"
You've hit It," nodded the visitor.
I'm on my way back TO the mines
and took a sort of longing to see an
old boss. Tell, you, Mr.. Throop, I've
had n hard, rough life, and you were
the only. man | ever mixed with who
didn't take advantage Of me. In the
old days | mean. for I'm now In Il
district where draw first and lynch
law tactics rule the roost.
Throop recalled the friendless lad to
whom he had given a home for two
years Mort had been a troublesome,
mischieSUuS lad, but Throop had been
kind and patient with him. Then
Gregory Rhodes had dazzled Mort and
in his sneaking, underhanded way had
prevailed on him to leave his EN-
ployer md come to work for him.
us that old skeesicks living yet?'
propounded Mort, referring to Rhodes.
Say, I've often wondered how | ever
stood his lying and abuse lie man
aged to beat me out Of two months
wages, he half starved me, he came
near TO making me a thief. | bolted
finally, glad to get away from a life
that was worse than slavery
Casually chatting over old times led
20 Throop informing Mort of the con
dition of his affairs, OF how hard he
was trying TO realize on his desperate
equity. Twice he had nearly secured
purchaser, but Rhodes had conspired
TO defeat the sale.
III | could get a couple of thousand
dollars out of the wreck" snid
Throop, Il could 10 to my married
daughter She has invited me to pass
my declining days with her. but |
don't want 10 20 empty handed
why almost shouted Mort. You
have allowed that scoundrel Rhodes
TO swindle you out Of your eyes He's
done enough to deserve the penlten.
tiary Why don't you law hlm?'
Il haven't the money to do that"
"Wish | had, said Mort. "Td stake
you 10 my last dollar l may be able
to, soon. I've been east with satchel
of nuggets and ore samples, and |
have interested a capitalist. who Is
coming out TO my mine next month.
| say-Ive mn idea | will work up a
Wild Western game on Rhodes. Don't
mention a word OF my being here.
Don't recognize me If you happen
across me. Don't notice any strange
things you may see me do. Just sit
tight ana take the money that Rhodes
may Offer you | don't think that old
rohher Will recognize me rs his for
mcr working slave"
Mort Allen proceeded to the next
village and took up quarters ut its
hotel, The following evening he Wis
tied the Throop farm mud proceeded
TO plant here aud there about 1t the
contents OF his sntche, nuggets and
ore samples. The next day he man
aged to get acquainted with the
Rhodes man OF all work He limited
at "a chance for this dupe to make a
Tot OF money and hound him to Sc
crecy. He was to give him twenty-five
lollnrs for helping him "to find gold"
ON the Throop farm
It's there" he whispered mysteri-
ously to the creditor victim. Wen
get lanterns nnd 20 over &c nj night"
That was done, aud the ewes OF the
hired man buged ont ms gliltertug bits
of the pure metal and ore were
brought 10 light Mort paid him il
certoip sum for each particle he
found. tulkcd Mg OF The value Of his
marvellous find ana Wondering what
the owner Of the land would sell this
bonanza farm for
What happened WAS Just what Nor,
had planned The hired muu told his
employer and lutimated thar The miner
was Wild TO raise the money % pur.
chase the farm no matter what the
cost
II was payup doy for ull his schen-
Ing, that upon which Gregory Rhodes
placed three thousand dollars la the