White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-11-07

ABOUT II. MT. fTolueIO huoWS lA0
story l wrote to him while back
about what sort of stuff he brought
back. / wanted him to come right in
and go look for himself.
Sorry l didn't now" said Prothero.
well, that brings me to the part
where / can, so to speak, vacate the
chair" and the judge smiled. "Mr.
Prothero is just passing through here,
and as / heard a rumor or what you
fellows had been after, slipped into
Stands to hear little more about 1t.
l want to be able to make Mr.. Pro
there see that Jaffery is worth his
while. 1t will mean whole lot to the
town to have big mine running back
in the hills. And now I'll let Mr.. Pro
there say his piece to you.
Prothero bobbed up in his chair as
if on springs, his head jerked for
ward.
"Well, gentlemen" said. he, you
know of course that in the old days It
was quite common for big company
like mine to buy claim, such as you
have, outright. The prospector look
ed for big figure for high-grade
prospect when the assessment work
showed we'll. In recent years, as
have no doubt you know too, all that
has been changed. We will lease
roposition and see what we can make
of it, lease it for period of years,
and with the option of renewal. All
right. It's square proposition. II
the stuff. is there we get it, and the
lprospector not only has our lease paid
but his claim is being developed. But
it is conceivable that there are times
when the old way is still the better
way"
The Wolfer NODDED slowly, in agree
ment with that doctrine.
"Well, you've got an unusual pros
pect, or so it seems. Now want on
behalf Of my company not to lease 1t
from you, but to buy outright accord
ing to the old custom that has re
Gently fallen into desuetude."
"How's that?" said Blunt, not under
standing. The Wolfer glanced at him
tits all right" he said.
ooh! All right" said Blunt.
It was one of these wonderful days
of the late autumn. To be In the sad
die riding up the slopes was good
The sun was warm, and down in the
valley where Jaffery lay John noted
a blue dragon-fly shutting to and fre
over fence before one of the bunga
law homes that make the little tow
so pretty place. Leaves of b1rcl
, and cottonwood were still on tn
trees in the valley, but just above tn
last strip of sidewalk and round tn
dairy-ranches the birches were ske
etonizing ready for winter. A day o
two makes marked change at tina
season of the year. Clumps of larche
-tamaracks-amo the frs were Xix
thin etched lines
, The Wolfer's horse-string jig-jogge
! uphill. Behind came the riders: tn
9 Wolfer and John, Mr.. Prothero an
Bunt. Behind again were other PACK
horses laden for the trip to the heat
! waters of MacIntyre Creek, that will
divide where the marmots whist
and the rockslides rumble. John rod
a horse that was the property of tn
= livery stable as he was only, in Blunt
phrase, putting them bit on th
way"
5, They made but a brief halt fc
n lunch, and when that was over Fisk
t. knew he must turn back. A littl
g further on Prothero and Blunt woul
go west into the old placer camp trail
e but the Wolfer would hold on up tn
SEVENTH road and then swing ava
J. to east, between the sheer notche
:, SUBMITS that peered over the nes
hog-backs. There John rendered HI
n last assistance to them, helping th
Wolfer to keep his string Of ponie
s from heading off with the packhorse
that were to 60 with Blunt.
g The latter drove his on. Prother
i waved hand to Jack and followed
Bunt fell behind for few moments.
"So-long, Jack" he said. "Tak
care of yourself till we meet again
And then: well, Walt you spectacle
long-nosed Wolfer," and he smile
gaily, "safe trip to you to Big Prairie
If you don't come back to Jaffery l.
see you again on the plains som
day"
They shook hands.
II wish you were coming with m
now" he went on. "You got the sa'
vey for the highbrow stuff. Now an
then, when Mr.. Prothero is talking,
want to ask him to whistle instea
SOS to see IL I'd understand him be
ter that way. So-long, you old so
of gun"
He rode on.
The Wolfer and Jack were bus
holding the more eager Of the remain
ing horses that wanted to march or
till Bunt had disappeared round tn
next bend. All the while they di
not speak; and then, though the Wo
fer looked as though he had some
thing to say, he was still quiet H
fingered his chin.
We'll, solong just now, john" h
said at last II don't know when II