The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-12-16
THE
SKYLINE
SPRUCE
hp Gibson EaEllnl-

N"eN Aet HoA h"tu 70 heel, anu
think ! know what's good for
you, what you can do and what you
can't DO and where you succeed aud
where you fail. And IN say right
here yeu wasn't born 20 be no gang
man In "A biz city like Seattle. Youll
find that isn't your tine at ALI"
I'm willing to take our word for
that Mr.. Melville" Ben interposed
quietly.
And might say, now good
time a. any. Ia lot up ON the Mister
My name Is Ezra Melville, and I've
bean known a. 'Esram' as long an
can remember. TO my friends. Tho
parhys In particular called mo that.
and you're a Darby.
''f'ii say In the beginning can't
do FOR you all I'd like To do. simply
because | haven't the means. The
first time YOU saw me | was waikiki
ties. and you1l sec me walkin some
more Of 'em before you're done. I
know you amt got any money. and
due 60 tho poker habit I amt got
much etther--in spite o. tho fact I've
done two mems work for something
over 30 years On this expedition
TO come well have to no on the
cheaps No ruiimans. no hotels
sleeping out tho hay when WIRE
caught at night Maybe ridin' the
blinds. whenever we can. I'm awful
sorry. but u iest can't be helped.
Hut ! VIII say--wheu II comes TO
work ! can do my fun share. without
kickin'."
Ben stared In amusement. n was
almost as IL the old man were plead,
ing a case. rather than giving glort.
Gus aims 20 one TO whom hope had
seemed dead. Ben tried 90 cut In. TO
ask questions, but tho old man =
words swept his own away.
ITO begin at tho beginning. I've
got a broth~r--leRstwise I had him a
lsw weeks ago--Hlram Melville by
name" Ezram went on. You'd re
member him well enough. Ito was u
proapcctor up 10 a place called Snowy
Guich--a town way up ia the Carl
bou Mountains. In Canada Some
weeks ago. hsrdln' cattle In Eastern
Oregon. got letter from him. and
started north. runnin' into YOU on
the way up. The letters right here =
Ito drew a white envelope from hi
coat pocket. opening u slowly. Thu
Is real proposition. son" he went
on in a nohered voice. I'm mighty
glad that I've got something. A.
least worth lookln' into. to lot you
In on. I only wish II was more"
why should you want 90 let me
In on anything Ben asked clearly
Tho Greet question received only
a store OF blank amusement frun
Ezram why should I --------" he
repeated. seemingly surprised on, q
his life BY tho question. "Shuci,s.
and quit interruptin' me. But ri
say right here I've g0t my own Ideas.
n you must know. Didn't l hear that
wi,Is you waa rampin' around the
underworld. you showed yourself a
mighty good fighter Wen. there's
likely to be some flxhtln' where were
Eoln'. and I want some one 70 DO u
besides myself. II there sin's fightin'
at least they'll be work--lots OF
work. Maybe I'm aestkn' . little too
old 10 do much Of II. I want . buddy
some one who win 20 halfway with
me-
Therefore suppose you so TO the
pen to find one Han commented.
wholly unconvinc.d.
I'm going 10 make this proposi
ton good" Exram went on az u he
had not heard. probably fourth
maybe even a third--to you And !
Amt such fool as look. neither.
r know the chances Of comm ou,
right on IL are twice as good II some
body young and strong. and who can
fight. Is in on IL with me. Listen
TO this
Opening the letter. he read iabori-
ousiy:
Snowy oulch. n. C.
Dear Brother Ezra
rite this with what think IL
my dying hand It's my will too.
I'm at the hotel at Snowy Buich--
not much more time You know I've
been hunting a claim. Well. ! found
it--rich pocket ms any body want.
worth quarter million any how and
in a district where the snowy Culch
folks believe there amt a grain Of
gold
IT'S yours. Come up and get II
quick before some thieves up hear
Jump n. Lookout for Jeffery Neil.
son and his gang they seen some OF
my dust. I'm too sick 70 go TO REQ.
order In Bredleyburg and record
claim. Get copy Of this letter TO
carry. put this In some safe place.
The only condition is you take good