Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-12-15

mine is the only vsan in the whole
eoVntryl"
swhere did you get THAR Dale re
peated.
"Do ye think" drawled the other
eat I'm plumb fool enough to give
my hnd sway To- nothin'f I been pore
all o my life. mister!"
"How am l to KNOW" frowned Dale
shat you've really got 4 find?"
eyed believe yore own rwo eyes
wouldn't yer"
"Yes," Dale agreed, "rd beheve my
own two eyes, of course. What's your
name, and where are you from?"
"What do git outen it7 l don't
own the mountain it's In, but 1t shore
can be bought TO fifteen cents a acre.
And nobody knows about 1t but jest
me. 1t lays closer to the railroad an
this here Moreland vein. too. What
do l git outen 1t. mister?"
The mountaineer seemed more hon
est than ever, but Dale was still on
his guard. He asked again:
"What's your name, and where are
you from?"
This time the answer came readily:
"My name it's Walt Turner, and I'm
from Turner'S Laurel, Madison county.
state O. Nawth Ca'liner. But my find
1t amt nowhars clost to home. Tain't
no more'n about two hours O walkin'
from right here, mister. Il. you'd jest
up and 60 along WI me, I'd show 1t to
ye."
Dale considered. There might he a
considerable vein Of this new coal.
Even II he was sent to tile state peni-
tentiary for q term Of years, Hayes
was entirely capable Of carrying on the
mining operations.
I'D like to take my mining man.
Hayes"
"Noi" quickly objected Walt Tur-
ner. II don't want nobody else to
know whar it's at but Jest you and
me. That away, ye see, ef I'm treated
crooked I'll know edzactly who done 1t
.-and I'll shore git you! But heerd
tell at you was pow'ful square. mis-
ter"
Gould I get back here before night
fall2"
Turner's eyes lighted. "Shore!"
"Then lead the way" ordered Dale.
Walt Turner from Turner's Laurel.
Madison county. state Of North Caro-
lima, crossed the little creek on stones
and went straight to the northeast.
missing the Ball settlement by a good
mile, and hard on his heels followed
the Moreland Coal coElpany's stalwart
general manager.
The way was exceedingly rough.
The two men climbed rugged cliffs.
threaded dense thickets Of great laurel.
mountain laurel. sheep laurel, and
huckleberry bushes. They were one
hour In q stretch Of woods where the
hemlocks. poplars and hickories stood
20 thickly that the interlacing branches
overhead shut out completely the light
Of the sun and half the light Of day.
Fearing a panther, or 4 wildcat, Dale
kept his revolver loosened and ready In
Its holster. Walt Turner armed him
self with 4 long staff-for snakes. he
said; and then he proved 1t by killing
q rattler that had eight rattles to Its
tall.
But they Travelled rapidly, notwith-
standing the fact that the going was
difficult; and two hours after the be-
ginning Of the little journey Dale saw
before him small and almost circular,
level-bottomed basin walled In by low
cliffs. A small creek run through this
basin and made two easy ways Of en-
trance. In the hollow they saw clumps
Of laurel and huckieberry bushes. and
wild grasses knee-high; toward the
center stood solitary big and gnarled
black walnut tree.
They entered at the point at which
the creek ran in, and went to the wal
nut tree. There Turner halted and
faced Bill Dale with peculiar CLINT
In his eyes. Dale was looking at the
rugged walls of stone, and at the
thick green forest that rose above
them; he was marveling, as only
true lover Of beauty can marvel. at
the wonderful grandeur Of 1t all.
:. Walt Turner. of Turner's Laurel.
opened his slit Of a mouth and spake.
Here's the kitty!"
Dale was brought out of his en-
joyment most fudely. From behind
clulnps of laurel and huckleberry
bushes, from the tall grasses, from
everywllere--it seemed from nowhere
there sprang dozens Of Balls and
TOrreys with rifles in their hands
Bill Dale had walked. as gently as a
kitten. straight into trap.
His right hand moved toward tho
butt Of his revolver. then dropped
at his side. 1t was foolish, worse
than useless, To show fight; dozens
of rifles were staring at him with their
frowping. nnIrtlerous eyes. and their
bullets would riddle him II he showed
hight. lie glanced toward Walt Tur-
ner, kinsmnn Of the Balls.
Turner was laughing openly. "Pore
little kitty
"If ever have the chance" NUT
tered Bill Dale. "I'll thrash you for
this cute little joke of yours"
"You won't never have the chanst." ="