Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1919-07-04
EPISODE I

or the sky. AS far as the eve could
reach jumbled masses of beetling cliffs
and cleaning domes arose in height
above height like the inconceivably
vast waves Of a sea. Between these
monsters of the range lay canyons that
the rays of sunlight never reached the
bottom of. And 1t was in one of these
secret hiding places of Nature that
there lay veins of rich, yellow ore of
a richness to cause the beholder to
blink his eyes and his heart to give a
great jump when he first contemplated
1t.
Such was the secret treasure place
found by Old John Carr, lifetime pros
pector and miner in the closing days
of his life. and known to no living man
but him. Above the brink of a pre-
cipitous cliff whose walls fell sheer
away into dizzy depths, the fur-capped
head Of man with long silver beard
slowly arose. Assisting himself up by
means of an alpenstock he clambered
above the brink and stood upon it's
edge, tall and straight. a rugged speci-
men of the fearless tribe that ever
has forced its way into the most Sc
cret places Of nature.
For a full minute he stood straight
and sharp cut as statue outlined
against the sky as he ran his eyes
slowly over the wide spreading piano.
rama that lay before him. The country
was without habitation, not even the
smoke of a distant fire being visible,
except in one place. This came from
valley in which there stood a substan-
tial log cabin with a huge stone
chimney at one end
This cabin nestled far below and
not great ways from the crest of the
big ridge, or summit of the peak.
Close by were sheds and stables for
horses, a corral adjoining them. John
Carr, pioneer In this wilderness, was
paying them a silent farewell.
The sun climbing the eastern sky
bathed him in a flood of golden light.
He took his alpenstock and thrust 1t
firmly into the rocks so that it stood
upright. then fastened his red bandana
handkerchief to 1t after the manner
of flag. Next taking from the breast
pocket of fur bordered mackinaw
letter, he fastened 1t to the base Of
the staff. AS the alpenstock now stood
with the red cloth waving from its
top in the mountain breeze, 1t was an
object which could be seen for long
distance. Once more he turned his
face to the scene below.
From out of the corral an Indian
came stroIling and passed into the
house, while the rough hand of the old
miner for an instant swept itself across
his face.
There never was a better Injun
than Rainface," he murmured. Then
turning suddenly he leaped straight
out into the air and downward beyond
the ridge. Thus 1t was that John
Carr departed from the scene which
had known him for so many years.
Within the cabin far below Rainface
was putting logs upon the fire.
From an adjoining room where they
had just finished their breakfast John
man was tall and powerfully built,
dressed in winter outing costume,
while the girl wore Indian leggings and
a short homemade jacket trimmed
with fur. The adopted daughter of
John Carr, Ethel had been brought up
I'm the mountains almost as uncon-
trolled as the creatures of the ravines
themselves. Her hair falling down her
back. was plated, Indian fashion, ana
fastened with a bow. Although she
was Is years of age, In her youthful
dress she looked far younger.
.It Is hard to learn to eat like one
of your ladies of the cities. where they
think they are so nice" she protested
with a little pout. you are always
scoIding me because don't use 1ork
when q spoon or knife is so much more
convenient. l wish you would let me
eat the way want to-" John smiled.
"You will get used to it soon enough
And remember that, you soon nave got
70 take your place among the ether
ladies' of the world" From the Kitchen
came the generously proporuoned ny
ure of Bridget Wegan, middle aged
cheerful of face, motherly. Reproach-
fully she turned upon Davis.
"Oh. lave the poor baby alone
Mister Davis. Sure what matter does
II make if one uses spade or hoe so
long as the ditch is dug. And II Dody
gets the vittles into ones mouth, small
matter how they get them there. IT'S
. little thing to worry about. is 1t not
Rainface." The Indian grunted;
"Fingers plenty good enough Tor
me" he returned solemnly.
! Still smiling Davis took down pair
of snowshoes from the wall, While the
girl followed his example. Drawing
ON his gloves he turned upon his COM
panions.
"Anyway we'll have our last day on
the snow. Where do you suppose un-
Gle John is, Rainface?" The one adj
dressed shook his head.
me not know. But when master
go away with the sun sometime ne
oop,a hack with the stars. LII he not