Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-02-16

This might have appeared rasn 10
the uninitiated, but, while there was a
good deal Of buying of stones con-
veyed illlcitly out Of the compounds,
| there had never been the - 1T of a
recorded stone, except. for the pseudo
theft from the bank. Public opinion
rendered such an act almost impos-
/ sible Diamonds were the one COM
modify that were safe from robbers in
Malopo.
The machinery arrived as soon as
the building was finished Then fol
lowed a week of the hardest kind OF
work, at the end Of which Winton had
sa~elear idea Of the process of diamond
mining. All operations at Malopo were
Of crude and primitive kind, even his
own, since the grounds had not yet
proved themselves sufficiently to justify
| the introduction of expensive APP
paratus.
In substance, the clay was simply
! dug up and sent TO the surface In
buckets. hoisted by whims, or vertical
/ winches. consisting each of a drum
rotating on shaft, on which the hoist
/ ing rope wound. The material was
then carried in large barrows TO the
| distributing grounds where, after some
dsintegratiOn had been effected by ex-
! posture to sun and air, 1t was crushed
and fed into the washing troughs, in
which the stones and heavy minerals
were separated from the lighter de-
posts by revolving toothed arms. The
\ refuse was then picked over by the ma
tives in the compounds.
Winton entered into a contract with
a local concern that controlled the
water supply by means of shafts sunk
! into the river bed two or three miles
! outside the town. This was the most
! important feature of the working of
! the claim. Without water he would
be unable to begin operations or to
continue them.
At last, stopping to take breath, Win
| ton found that nothing was needed for
the beginning of the mining work ex-
cept the arrival of the natives. Three
! gangs were expected, and might arrive
any day.
He turned his thoughts again to
Seaton. A compound manager was, of
course, necessary for the overseeing OF
the workers, and he resolved to offer
cid Seaton the position which he had
pentally reserved for him. Seaton was
knC-sn as a man eminently qualified
{ for he position, but owing TO his habits
none would employ him.
1t was nearly three weeks since Win
ton had seen Sheila. He did not know
for certain that the girl and her father
were still in MalopO. He was thinking
of inquiring for the old man when he
was surprised by visit from him at
an early hour in the morning.
Daddy Seaton was wearing a new
suit, he was perfectly sober, and looked
almost respectable
MIR. Garrett, l don't suppose youll
know who am" he began; but every
body In Malopo knows me, and they'll
tell you that there amt better work
man than Stanford Seaton when he
leaves liquor alone. That's been my
bane-but. then, I've had heap of
trouble, sir
Looking FOR a job?" asked Winton.
"And employers fight shy of me be-
cause of my weakness" continued Sea-
ton frankly. determined to put his story
In his own way. But / can say there
isn't a man in Malopo understands the
| natives better. | heard you wanted a
compound manager, and if you'n give
me a chance you won't regret il. 1
shall never touch drink again. I've had
enough of il, sir"
I'm try you, Seaton, answered Win
ton. Report for work tomorrow morn
ing and you can move into that cot
tage as soon as you like"
1t was on the tip Of his tongue to
add and your daughter" But Winton
cautiously RETAINED. When he set
about a thing he had all the method and
prudence of his father. who had been
a financial power in New York before
a combine broke him. Winton was re-
solved either to win Sheila or to probe
the situation and discover the secret
OF the girls fascination over him.
His heart cried out for her but his
head warned him Of his unwisdom.
And Winton, like most men, was
swayed by both; only with him they
were in unusual equipOise.
He unlocked the cottage door and
left Seaton inspecting the inside, re-
turning to work in his Office. About an
hour later, seeing the cottage door
wide opcG and supposing that Seaton
had left the key in the lock, he went
over 70 close the place. He looked in
side and saw the old man lying upon
TIE floor hopelessly drunk, an empty
bottle Of trade gin beside him.
Seaton had certainly not had the bot
tie about him when he arrived. There
was only one place where he could
have got 1t. and that was on the adjoin-
ing claim.
I'll The syndicate offers to CO
II operate with Winton-cr smash III