Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-07-30
Che Sumps Move One

ferns, but at the end Of quarter mile
| Il opened onto q bare meadow, where
the grass had been cropped close to
the red dust. AS they had supposed, the
tralI terminated at a sheep hergier
cabin. 1t was, however, the end OF che
season. The sheep had already been
taken off and driven down to the lower
valleys.
with al eclat Of a homecoming the
children tumbled out Of the car and
hurriedIy located the well. There they
dInper made from tomato tin. AND
Mr.. and MRS. Stump, leigurely descend
ing In their turn, opened the unlocked
That the door was unlocked oc-
casioned no surprise. It Is the pleasant
hospitality OF the hills (the country
people call it the hin law 10 leave all
cabins open. And also to leave suf-
ficient stores within the cabins for the
wayfarer who may chance by. a nights
shelter and one or two meals Is his
for the taking. but he must never take
all If the stores are low he may even
leave some from his own outfit, and
invariably he leaves small supply OF
chopped firewood.
THE Sumps entered, and then stop
ped short. They knew the hill law. They
had opened the door with the most
agreeable expectations. And the cabin
was bare. There was nothing in 1t.
What the HE'LL" exclaimed mr.
Stump.
we've been gypped," cried AIRS.
Stump. Some one has been here afore
us. It's cleaned out. They've took every
thing-even the stove. They must OF
had 8 truck"
'aThen them was truck tracks we saw.
Why didn't you tell me them was truck
tracks2 Then I a-knowed. Now what
are we gOin' TO do2"
eve ought to have truck" said
Mrs. Stump thoughtfully.
The Sumps had never heard of Mike
Brent Mike was a typical prospector, q
gaunt bearded man that the mountains
had claimed for their own. Those old
they assume no obligations. They came
into the country after the Chinese had
starved on their findings and gone
away.
But the white proSpector still stayed
on. In the course of time he became
rooted In his surroundings. The pro-
found calm OF the mountains untitled
him for any other life.
Mike Brent's cabin was in q leafy
covert, approached by a fern-obliter
ated trail That is, it had been obliter-
ated all summer But one sparkling day
q long dormant public spirit turned
over inside Of him, and with some |
hing analogous TO civic pride he
cleared and widened his trail.
And the Sumps, returning from the
1erder's cabin, sore with Illustration /
IND hungry as hounds, smelled the new
made trail and drew up near Nike
5rent's cabin.
He was not at home. That made no
Inference to the SunpS. They were not
N social call. They found what they
lad come for-food and blankets. There
vas not much food, and not many
blankets. But what Was there they took.
They included the mattress. And then
DR.. Stump looked around for the poke
4 gold dust.
Simple trusting proSpectors. There
re just two places they consider suit /
bic for concealing their treasure. One {
J behind q stone In the fireplace, and /
he other Is In a tin can under the /
rood pile. Mr.. Stump located the gold
ust under the wood pile. 1t was very
tile poke, not more than q dollar.
After a refreshing drink az the wei. ,
he SumpS moved on. They drove away I
18th certain sense Of Righteousness. 4
or they'd left the stove and the
indling. 9
That night Mike Brent walked the 4
We miles TO the deputy si1eriff's. The 7
equity sheriff kept store near the 4
abroad station. All the language that
like Brent had learned on the Barbary 3
cast 80 years before nov flowed from 4
Is lips In the recital OF the robbery.
he deputy sheriff was impressed. n
7 can see how you feel about it, he
i'd. I'm sorry It happened to you, o
ike" /,
well. what you going TO do about
9S "A
what can I dos Tell me who they 81
e, and where they went, and I'll get b
"a" IL
do you think I'd be here If I knew
| that7 That's for you TO find out.
on got a car. co after EN-. Go after Il