Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

“You have heard of the feud that has been going on for months in the mountains of Kentucky?” “You allude to the Baker and How- ard feud in Clay County?” “The same; there have been others, but this one Just now occupies the at- tention of the whole country. It is a disgrace to civilization, but all the same it exists, and the reports from there are more interesting than those from the Philippines.” “T wonder, Mr. Forsythe, that you have mot sent a correspondent to that section.”’ ‘We sent two of our best men. The first one was mobbed, fired upon and notified that if he did not make himself Scarce within twenty four hours, he would be turned into a human sieve. He deemed it best to heed the warning, and he came back with a message to me that certain death awaited any and every newspaper reporter who dared to come within range of the Winches- ters of those mountaineers.” “ You said you had a second corre- spondent.” The face of the managing editor be- came thoughtful and he sighed. “ Dick Montgomery was one of the brightest young men I ever knew. He graduated last year from your col- lege.” .““ He was an intimate friend of mine and one of the best of fellows,” I said sadly. ‘He won a place on The Pioneer by following the advice I gave you a few minutes ago. In the face of the warn- ing brought by his predecessor, and against my advice, he persisted in going into Kentucky as representative of our paper. We had two letters from him, in which he referred lightly to the personal danger he ran. The last one arrived nearly six weeks ago. We have made every effort and expended a great deal of money, but have not been able to gain the first scrap of information concerning him since.” THE ARGOSY. “What is your explanation? ” “Only one explanation is possible; somewhere among the gloomy recess- es of those mountains the bones of poor Dick Montgomery are bleaching, and will never be found by his friends, unless through some accident. Now, Mr. McIntyre, it will sound strange to you to hear me lay this proposition be- fore you, after telling you how I tried to dissuade Dick Montgomery from the venture. I don’t advise you to fol- low in his footsteps, but, if you choose to do so, after knowing all the facts, I .wish you to understand that while any news that you can send us of the feud will be most welcome, my personal anxiety is to learn the facts about Montgomery.” “TI shall start for Kentucky this evening.” “ Don’t be hasty or too rash. Since you have a twofold purpose The Pioneer will bear your expenses and pay for your services whether they are success- ful or not. You understand the nature of this business as well as I, and I am not competent to give you advice ex- cept in a general way. Your deftness with firearms, your horsemanship, and familiarity with danger are of inesti- mable value, but, above all, let me urge you to be cool, tactful and prudent, for Without such qualities you cannot hope to succeed. Get any news to us in the quickest way possible, and remember that The Pioneer is not only able but willing to pay every expense that you may incur.” Just then the foreman of the com- posing department asked for instruc- tions concerning some display head. Mr. Forsythe excused himself for a minute and hastily penciled a note which he handed to me. “Take that to the cashier,” he said, “and he will fire you up. Good by!” he added as he grasped my hand; “ God bless you and bring you back safe and successful.” Three days later, I was in the depth COME OOO© Ss eco