The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-02-15


ger. Miners moved from the barracks
that had been built by Macdonald into
hastily constructed cabins on the in
dividual claims. Wally had always
fancied himself as stage manager for
amateur theatricals. Now he justified
his faith by Transforming Kamatlah
outwardly from.a company camp to a
mushroom oneIsettled by wandering
prospectors.
Gideon Holt alone was outside of all
these activities and watched them with
suspicion. He was an old-timer, sly
but fearless, who hated Colby Macdon-
aid with bitter jealousy that could
not be placated and he took no pains
to hide the fact. He had happened to
be in the vicinity prospecting when
Macdonald had rushed his entries.
Partly out of mere perversity and part.
ly by reason Of native shrewdness, old
Holt had slipped in and located one of
the best claims in the heart of the
group. Nor had he been moved by per-
suasiOn, threats, or tentative offers to
buy a REIMBURSEMENT. He was obsti.
nate. He knew good thing when he
had it, and he meant to sit tight.
The adherents Of the company might
charge that Holt was cracked in the
upper story, but none of them denied
he was sharp as street arab. He
guessed that all this preparation was
not for nothing. Kamatlah was being
dressed up to impress somebody who
would shortly arrive. The first thought
of Holt was that group of big capt.
talists might be coming to look over
their investment. But he rejected this
surmise. There would be no need to
try any deception upon them.
Mail from Seattle reached camp once
month. Holt sat down before his
stove to read one Of the newspapers he
had brought from the office. 1t was
the Pr. On the fifth page was q
little story that gave him his clue.
ELLIOT TO INVESTIGATE
MACDONALD COAL CLAIMS
The reopening of the controversy az
to the Macdonald claims which had
been clear-listed for patent by Harold
b. Winton, the Commissioners Of the
General Land Office takes on another
phase with the appointment Of Gordon
Elliot as special field agent to examine
the validity of the holdings The new
field agent won reputation by his
work in unearthing the Oklahoma
"Gold Brick land frauds
Elliot leaves Seattle in the Queen
City Thursday for the North, where
he will make a thorough investigation
of the whole situation with view to
clearing up the matter definitely. II
his report is favorable to the claimants
the patents will be granted without
further delay.
This was too good to keep. Holt
pulled on his boots and went out to
twit such of the enemy as he might
meet. 1t CHANGED that the first of them
was Selfridge, whom he had not seen
since his arrival, though he knew the
little man was in camp.
"How goes 1t, Holt? Fine and
dandy, eh?" inquired Wally with the
professional geniality he affected.
The old miner shook his head dole
fully. II done bust my laig, Mr.. Sell
fish," he groaned. 1t was one Of his
pleasant ways to affect difficulty Of
hearing and dullness of understand
ing, so, that he could legitimately call
people by distorted versions of their
names. "The old man don't amount to
much nowadays"
Nothing to that, Gid. You're young
er than you ever were, judging by your
looks"
"Then my looks lie to beat the devil,
Mr.. Selfish"
"My name is Selfridge," explained
Wally, trifie irritated.
Holt put cupped hand to his ear
"Shellfish, did you say?
Tha' s right. How come to forget?