The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 21 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

338 ‘‘Nothing. It was given me for a service I rendered the owner.” ‘* This seems like a fairy tale, Grant. What does it mean ?” **T will tell you ;” and Grant related his afternoon's adventure. ‘¢ Hurrah ! we're in luck!” exclaimed Tom, rising to his feet and swinging his hat in excitement. ‘‘ If what you say is true, we're made men.” ‘¢T am glad you look upon me as a man,” said Grant, smiling. ‘* 1'm only anticipating a little. I hope,” he added anxiously, ‘‘ the old man won't reconsider the matter.” ‘* Not much chance of it. I haven't known him long, but I am quite sure that he isn’t that kind of a man.” CHAPTER XXVI. NAHUM STOCKTON. ot HAT shall we do with our old claims ?” \ Before Grant could answer that question a step was heard, and looking up, the two friends saw approaching a tall, gaunt man of thirty five—a typical Yankee—whose shabby attire - indicated that he was ‘‘ down on his luck.” ‘* Good evenin’, friends,” he said. ‘* Good evening,” responded Tom cordially. ‘‘ Sit down with us, won't you ? I've got an extra pipe, if you would like a smoke.” “Thank you; I’m just pinin’ for a smoke. Isthis your tenement ?” “Well, we found it vacant, and squatted here. The owner hasn't called on us for any rent yet.” ** You're in luck.” ‘* Have you just arrived ?” ‘*Yes, I have. I’m a rollin’ stone, and I haven’t gathered any moss.” ‘‘ There's a pood many in that fix.” '‘'Do you see that coin ?” and the stranger took from his pocket a silver quarter and flipped it up in the air. ** Ves. Is there anything strange about it ?” ‘* Well, there's this—it’s the last and only piece of property now be- longing to Nahum Stockton. If you are acquainted with the tax col- lector, don’t mention it, for I wouldn’t like to be assessed on it.” ‘‘T will respect your wishes, Mr. Stockton,” said Tom, laughing. ‘* May I ask what are your plans ?” ‘‘1f I can buy a claim for a quarter, I will settle down here and dig for gold.” Tom looked at Grant, and Grant nodded, for he read his friend's thought. ‘¢ Having so much money,” said Tom soberly, ‘‘ you'd better buy a couple of claims.” ‘* That’s a good joke,” returned Stockton with a grira smile. ‘© No joke at all! My friend and I own a couple of claims, and we leave Howe’s Gulch tomorrow, We will make them over to vou with- out money and without price. As toa cradle, you can buy one on in- ‘stallments.” -*Do you mean it ?” asked Stockton eagerly. ‘Yes: but I don't want to deceive you in the matter. They haven't been paying very well lately, and Granf and IJ are going elsewhere to prospect.” ‘If they are paying anything, I'll accept them with pleasure.” ‘They are paying something, and of course there's a possibility of striking it rich in either one of them.” ‘¢Gentlemen,” said Stockton earnestly, ‘* yeu don’t know what you’ve done for me. I was at the end of my resources, and felt kind o’ reckless. You've made a new man of me.” ‘“We are glad to do youa service. Grant, can’t you get us some supper? After eating, we'll go and show Mr. Stockton the claims, for we shall want to make an early start tomorrow morning. Mr. Stock- ton, our supper will be a plain one, but we shall be glad to have you join us in eating it.” “You can’t be gladder than I am,” said Nahum quaintly. ‘I haven't had anything to eat since mornin’, and then it was only a slice of bread and a glass of milk and water with the milk left out.’ Grant was in the cabin, making ready the evening meal. There was bread and butter, some cold meat, and a cup of tea for each. Mr. Stockton ate as if he enjoyed every mouthful. “You don't ask me how J lost my money,” he said. ‘You Jost it, then ; you didn’t spend it ?” “No: if Lhad get the worth of it | wonldn’t have cared so much, but to be cheated out of it by a mean scoundrel was a little too much.” THE ARGOSY ‘* Were you cheated out of it ?” “Yes. I'll tell you how. Coming from ’Frisco I struck Frost's Bar with a hundred dollars in my pocket. A hundred dollars! Soinctimes I wonder if there is so much money in the world, now that I am dead broke! Well, I had been meaning to buy a claim, and was walkin’ ’round when I met a sleek appearin’ man, who looked as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. He asked me what my plans were, and | told him I wanted to buy aclaim. ‘ You're the very man I’m lookin’ after,’ he said. ‘I’ve gotarich claim here, but my health has given way, ang I haven’t strength to work it. I’m willin’ to sell for half price.’ ‘* Well, I lnoked at the claim, and I liked the appearance of it. The artful rascal found out how much money I had, and asked me a hun- dred doliars forthe claim. ‘ But,’ said I, ‘ that won't leave me any- thing to work it with.’ ‘T like you, Mr. Stockton,’ he said, as he prabhed my hand, and the tears came into his eyes. ‘I feel like bein’ a true friend to you. I'll let you have it for ninety dollars, and that ain't half what it’s worth.’ ‘* Well, to make a long story short, I paid over the ninety dollars, and he wrote out a paper making over the claim tome. Then he shook hands with me and went away. I haven't seen him since.” © Wasn't the claim a good one ?” asked Grant. ‘* Ves, the best at the Bar.” ‘Then I don’t see what you have to complain of.” “Pll tell you. The next mornin’ I went ’round to take possession of my claim, when I saw a stout, good looking man workin’ it. ‘ Hold on, my friend,’ I said, ‘ what are you doin’ with my claim ?’ ‘¢¢ Your claim !’ repeated Charles Ambrose, for that was his name. ‘What are you talkin’ about ?’ ‘© *] reckon I speak plain enough,’ said I, provoked. claim Jast night, and I mean to hold it.’ ‘**QOh, you bought it ?' said Ambrose. ‘On that I produced the paper. ‘**¢ Here’s the document,’ I said. thorn.’ ” ‘* What |” ejaculated Tom and Grant jointly. ** Do you know the man ? ” asked Stockton. | 7 think we do,’ answered Tom Cooper. ‘‘ He’s a tall, thin fellow, with a lamb-like expression, but he’s an experienced swindler.” “You've about hit it. Did he swindle vou ?” ‘No, but he tried to. Well, how did you come out ?” ‘At the little end of the horn. Silverthorn was off with my money and I had nothing to show for it. I'd just like to get hold of him. He wouldn't look quite so much like an innocent Jamb when I got through with him.” ‘“T left him at Sacramento,” said Grant. ‘Til hunt him up when I get a little money,” went on Stockton. ‘I've met scoundrels before, but he'll take the cake.” Or anything else he can lay hands on,” said Grant with a laugh. They walked over to the mining camp, put Stockton into possession of the claims, and introduced him to a miner who agreed to sell him a cradle on installments. ‘‘ Now, Grant,” said Tom, ‘ we'll go to bed, for we may have a long walk before us tomorrow.” (fo be continued.) on eee Ee ee BAD FOR THE BONE. ‘By Jove!” said the museum ‘man, turning pale. ‘What's the matter, Rupert ?”’ asked his wife. ‘*T forgot to send the dog-faced boy any supper, and he is locked up in the same cage with the ossified man."--New York Sun. ‘I bought that ‘Of whom did you buy it ?’ ‘It is signed by Dionysius Silver- THE FESTIVE SHAD. BOARDER—** Have you any boneless shad, madam ?” LANDLADY—'‘* No, sir.” BOARDER—'' Very well, madam ; I don’t care for any more of the shadless bone."’— Washington Star. EASY TO OBEY. ‘}T CAN conmmand my salary,” said the Thespian in teply to the re- marks of an envious rival. No leu ¢." was the reply. obey you.”’-- Washington lost. ‘* It’s so small it would be afraid to dis- ECOMICOOokKS conn