Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-04-26

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 company camp to a
mushroom one settled 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 a 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 Der
suasion, threats, or tentative offers to
buy REIMBURSEMENT. He was obsti-
nate. He knew a 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
surmfse. There would be no need TO
try any deception upon them.
Mail from Seattle reached camp once
a month. Holt sat down before his
stove to read one of the newspapers he
had brought from the office. It was
the P.-1. On the fifth page was a
little story that gave him his clue.
ELLIOT TO INVESTIGATE
MACDONALD COAL CLAIMS
The reopening of the controversy "a
to the Macdonald claims. which had
been clear-lsted for patent by Harold
b. Winton. the Commissioner 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
Held 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 a 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
wit such of the enemy as he might |
meet. 1t CHANGED that the first of them
vas SelfridCe. whom he had not seen
nce his arrival. though he knew the
little man was in camp.
How goes it. Holt? Fine and
andy. eh?" inquired Wally with the
Professional ceniality he affected.
The old miner shook his head dole
ully. Il done bust my laig. Mr.. Sell
Sh." he groaned. 1t was one of his
leaSant ways to affect difficulty Of
earring and dullness of understand
~, so that he could legitimately call
eople by distorted versions OF their
ames. "Tih old man don't amount to
luch nowadays"
rNothing to that, Gid. You're young
r than you ever were. judging by your
,OkS.'
Then my looks lie to beat the devil,
Ir. Selfish"
My name is Selfridge," explained
Tally, a trifle irritated. Il
Holt put a cupped hand to his ear
nxiopsly. ''Shellfish, did you say2 {
ha' s right How come / to forget7 |