New-York tribune., 1920-11-21

tlS cur IdlIlS.
Were here, honey" he snid;
god water, good grass, shade. The
desert is past Wake up and AXE
It little coffee"
She smiled at him.
I'm so tired"
Were going to rest here a speil."
K
T~ HREE months later. The
4 western slant Of the Sierras
just where the canon clefts be-
begin to spread into foothills. On the
flat near-too near-the stream kod
was a typical placer-mining camp Of
the day. That is, three or four lary
rough buildings in a row, twenty or
thirty log cabins scattered withlut
order and as many tents.
a trial was in progress, to which
all paid deep attention. Two men
disputed the ownership Of certain
claim. Their causes were repre-
sented by ornate individuals whose
evident zest in the legal battle was
not measured by prospective fees.
In the height of the proceedings
a man entered from outside and took
his position leaning against the rail
Of the jury box. That he waA
stranger was evident from he
glances Of curiosity cast in his III
rection. He was tall, strong, you ag.
bearded, with rowing, humor us
bold eye.
The last word was spoken. A
rather bewildered looking jury tied
out. Ensued a wait. The jury came
back 1t could not agree; it wanted
information. Both lawyers sup
piled it in abundance. The fore
man, who happened to be next The
rail against which the newcomer
was leaning, cast on him a quzzi al
eye.
Stranger" said he, "mout you be
able to make head er tail of all that
air."
The other shook his head.
Tim plumb distracted to know
what to do; and dear knows we all
want TO git shet Of this job. Thars
a badger fight
"Where is this claim, anyway"
Right adown the road. Location
notice is on the first white oak you
come to. CANT miss her"
q If | were ycu,' said the stranger
after pause, I'D just declare the
claim vacant Then neither side
would win"
At this moment the jury rose to
retire again. The stranger unob-
trusively gained the attention of the
clerk and from him begged sheet
Of paper. On this he wrote rapidly,
then folded it and moved to the
outer door, against the jamb Of
which he took his position. After
another and shorter wait the jury
turned.
"Havc you agreed on your YER
let, gentlemen" inquired the judge.
Owe have" replied the lank fore
man. We award that the claim
belongs to neither and be declared
vacant"
At the words the stranger in the
doorway disappeared. Two minutes
later the advance guard of the rush
that had comprehended the true
meaning Of the verdict found the
white oak tree in possession Of a
competent individual with a Colts
revolving pistol and a humorous eye
"My location notice, gentlemen y
he said, calling attention to a paper
freshly attached by wooden pegs
~ HUS John Gates and his wife
L now strong and hearty, be
came members of this com.
munity. His intention had been tc
proceed to Sacramento. An incident
stopped him here.
in FIVE years the placers began tc
ay ont One by one the moro en-
crgetic Of the miners dropped away
The nature Of the community
changed. Small Hill ranches or fruit
farms took thc place Of the mines
The camp became country village
Oldtime eXcitment calmcd, the race
Of life slowed, the horizon narrowed
John Gates, clear eyed, energetic
keen Drained, saw this tendency be
fore it became fact.
"This camp is busted" he told
himself.
II was the hour to fulfill the pur
pose Of the long, terrible journey
across the plains, TO carry out tht
original intention to descend from