The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-08-16
CHAPTER vi
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l will always remember my first day
in the gold camp. All was grotesque,
makeshift, haphazard. Back of the
main street lay the red-light quarter.
and behind ii again a swamp of mig
gerheads, the breeding place Of fever
and mosquito.
Till midnight | wandered up and
down the long street; but there was
no darkness. no IulI in its clamorous
life.
was looking for Berna. My heart
hungered for her; my eyes ached for
her; my mind was so full of her there
seemed no room for another single
thought But il was like looking fD:
q needle in a strawstack to find her
in that seething multitude. So with
spirits steadily sinking zerowards }
waited.
After a session of debate, we de-
cided to reserve our rights to stake
till a good chance offered. Ii was
bitter awakening. Like all the rest
we had expected to get ground that
was gold from the grass-roOts down.
But there was work TO be had. and we
would not let ourselves be disheart-
ened.
The Jam-wagOn had already de-
serted US. He was off up on Eldorado
somewhere. shOveling dirt into sIuice-
box for ten dollars a day. | made up
my mind | would follow him. Jim also
would get to work, while the Prodigal.
we agreed. would look after our
interests, and stake or buy a good
claim.
The country was at the mercy OF
a gang of corrupt officials who were
using the public offices for their own
enrichment Franchises were being
given TO the favOrites of those in pow
er. concessions sold. liquor permits
granted. and abuses of every kind
practiced on the free miner. All was
venality. injustice and exaction.
Say, boys, | guess I've done a slick
piece of work." said the PrOdigal with
some satisfaction, as he entered our
tent. I've bought three whole out
fits on the beach. Got them for % per
cent less than the cost price in Seattle
I'll pull out 100 per cent on the deal
Now's the time TO get in and buy from
the cutters"
IT'S too had to take advantage OF
them" | suggested.
TOO bad nOthingi That's business !;
your necessity. my opportunity. On,
you'd never make a mOney-gerter, my
boy, this side of the millennium-and
you Scotch, too"
rOamed the long street with an
swful restless agony in my heart
Where was Berna. my girl, so precious
now it seemed had lost herr 1
visioned evils Detailing her; pierced
my heart with dagger-thrusts Of fear
for her. Oh, if only knew she was
safe and well! If could only find
her! The land was a great symphony;
she the haunting theme of il
bought a copy OF the Nugget and
went into the Sourdough restaurant
to read it As fingered there sip
ping my coffee and perusing the paper
indifferently, a paragraph caught my
eye and made my heart glow with
sudden hope.
Here was the item:
s-One of the largest gambling plays
that ever occurred in Dawson came of
last night in the Malamute saloon.
Jack LOcaSto of Eldorado. well known
as one the Klondike's weaIthiest claim
owners, Claude Terry and Charlie Haw
were the chief actors in the game,
which cost the frst-named the sum Of
$4,000
"LOcasto came to Dawson from his
Claim Yesterday. Ii is said that be-
fore leaving the Forks ne lost sum
ranging in the neighbOrhood of $500
Last Uigh! he began playing in the
Malamgte With Haw ard Terry in an
effort il IS supposed. TO recuup mis-
losses at the Forks. The play con-
dnued nearly ell night. and al the