i^L. uijsth, i,'iL''í. '' -
NORTHWESTERN t
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
EVANSTON
ILLINOIS
M > » I» »■» I» >»1 ■! < < < M
GRAY ROCKS
CHARACTERS IN THE STORY.
Ml I;I,
"IMMIiSillilirijAIil
GRAY ROCKS'''^"'
A TAbE
OF THE MIDDLE-WEST
by
WILLIS GEORGE gHERSON
" Beneath yon rocky peak that hides
Inßeecy clouds its snow-flecked crest;
Beneath those crimson crags abides
The fairest queen of all the West."
ILLUSTRATED
BT W. B. OOODALL
Chicago;
LAIRD St LEE, Publishers
PREFACE.
The breaking of a twig in some vast forest, or the dull echo
of a miner's pick in a rugged mountain canon, alike suggest
the solitude of Nature. The unwritten history of mining pros¬
pectors who search for yellow gold, or the advance guards of
our civilization in the rich valleys of the West, are replete with
interest and dramatic incident. The "boom" town builder also
plays a most conspicuous part in this unwritten drama.
There are no frayed-out remnants of a former greatness to
be found on the frontier. A man sells for his intrinsic worth,
—no more, no less. Conditions that made men great in former
generations are here active, and develop manhood in its highest
form.
There is hßrdly a cross-road hamlet without its hotel, and
usually a "Dick Ballard" presides. "Brainy men," such as
composed the Waterville Town Company, may be found wherever
a new town is building, while a "Rufus Grim" is usually the
autocrat of the mining camp.
The old "Colonel" represents a class of sturdy miners whose
untiring labor occasionally gives to the world the golden keys
of some fabulously rich discovery; while the greater number
dedicate their lives to a fruitless search for hidden treasures,
and finally die of disappointment and a broken heart.
"Louise," in her unswerving devotion to her father, is a
specimen of superior womanhood whose duplicate may be found
in many a ranchman's home throughout the nestling valleys of
our great West.
Sometimes I imagine T was with "J. Arthur Boast" in his
hiding place when he wrote that last letter and saw the spectral
ghost that ever kept him company. The retribution perhaps was
just, yet my sympathy lingers around the old prospect shaft.
Many of my readers will doubtless desire to express their
criticism of GR A Y ROCKS. Nothing will afford me more
pleasure than to receive just criticisms, for it will at least enable
me to escape similar errors in other stories that I am now engaged
in writing.
Sincerely,
WILLIS GEORGE EMERSON.
ELM BEST, August 29, 1894.
Eo. 1363 Central Park Boulevard,
Chicago.
H' iU' V
i! I! 1,1 M
IVI IV
! ■! 1
, It
¡3' 9-
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year eighteen
hundred and ninety-four by
WIIXIAM H. LEE
In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
Partial List of Illustrations.
Chapter. Page
I. The Me. Geldee foe Whom I am Looking is a Much
Oldee Gentleman, 14
II. He Clasped Vance's Hand Waemlt, 21
III. A Lettbe Was Handed to Him, 30
IV. Mt Salaey Has Been Baised 37
V. Hello, Paednee! How D'Ye Do? 41
VI. He Offbeed Vance Some Ha vanas, 50
VII. This 'eee Town is Oomin' Out of the Kinks in Pine
Shape 60
VIII. He Poegot Time, 68
IX. I Am Going to Give Him a Piece of Mï Mind, ... 76
X. Vance Tuened and Saw J. Aethue Boast 82
XI. *' You're the Young Man, I Reckon," Said Geim, "Peom
New York," 87
XII. Don't You Think I Am Horrid to Go on Talking this
Wat to You? 96
XIII. The Stage Bide, 108
XIV. Gentlemen, We Have Again Met to Deliberate Upon
the Destiny of Wateeville! 114
XV. Vance Was Presented to Miss Virginia Bonifield, . 124
XVI. We Have Cross-cut Into Whae' the Vein Ought to
Be, But It Isn't Thar', Suh 135
XVII. "Lost Your Position?" Said Louise, with Unmis¬
takable Concern 143
cuaptkb.
Page.
XVIII. Yance Handed Maboüb Donald a Copy or the
XIX. They Are the Brainiest Lot of Men This Country
XX. They Started Pet.l-mell Down the Mountain Boad, 171
XXI. You Will Not Be Angry With Father, Will You? . 17!»
XXII. There Are Times, Suh, When It's Necessary for Me
to Put My Foot Down, 189
XXIII. '*Yes," Whispered Bertha, "I Love You So Much, . 207
XXrV. A Dark Form Crouched Near, 215
XXV, Where Is the Powdeh 228
XXVI, A Guilty Conscience Needs No Accuser, , , , , 236
XXVII. Such Tendbh and Sacred Things of Earth Are
Banner
151
Has Ever Produced,
162
Sanctified in Heaven,
253
CONTENTS
CHAPTEB. PAGE.
I. Vance Gildek li
IL The Old Miner 18
in. The Banner rorce 26
rV. A Supper Party 33
V. An Odd Character, 40
VI. The Town Boomer .47
Vn. A Visit to Watertille, .... .... 56
VIII. At the Mine, 63
IX. The Stage Dbiter, ... 70
X. Property Has Gone Up ... 78
XI. Owner of the Peacock Mine, .86
XII. Trout Fishing 94
XIV. The Town Company's Meeting, ... .... 103
XV,* Miss Virginia Bonifield, Ill
XVI. The Old Colonel's Dis.appointment, 133
XVII. An Awakening, , 140
XVIII. Vance Eeturns to Waterville 148
XIX. The Indignation Meeting 158
XX. The Stage is Bobbed, 168
XXI. Beaching the 400 Foot Level, 177
XXII. Starting the Boom, 187
XXIII. Bufus Grim's Ambition. 199
XXIV. The Golden Mausoleum 209
XXV, Cross-Cutting in the Mine, 218
XXVI. A Startling Editorial, . 231
XXVII. At Last ! 244
GRAY ROCKS.
CHAPTER I.
VANCE GIEDER.
ANCE GIRDER had an ambi¬
tion. It was to be a great
journalist.
The sunshine that gleamed
in at his western windows dis¬
closed most luxurious apart¬
ments — indicating refinement
and culture. The bric-a-brac;
the leathern walls stamped with
gilt; the frieze of palm-leaves;
the chandelier; the richly carved book-case, filled with
tawny-covered volumes; the upright piano, and a guitar
which stood sentinel-like in a retired corner; together
with India rugs and tiger skins on the floor before an
open grate, half hidden by a large Japanese fan—bespoke
wealth as well as refined taste.
Seated at an open escritoire with writing materials be¬
fore him, on the evening of a June day, was Vance Gilder.
He was not more than twenty-five, of medium height,
dark brown hair, soft and wavy as the silk of Indian corn,
large brown eyes, a clear complexion, an aquiline nose,
12
GJÍA V ROCKS.
and a rather heavy, dark moustache, which in part hid
a well-formed mouth.
Before him lay numerous packages of papers, but they
were not claiming his attention. He was perusing a billet-
doux written in a lady's hand.
There was a refinement and gentleness in his face,
while his dress and surroundings indicated a serious ele¬
gance, rich but unaffected.
"Who can she be?" was the exclamation that escaped
him as he again read the letter which he
held in his hand.
Tossing it down, he walked back and
forth across the room with measured
'11 strides.
Stopping before the mantel, he lighted
a cigar. " Touise Bonifield," he ejacu¬
lated, between puffs of smoke, which he
blew away in rings toward the ceiling,
Yf '' ' 'where have I met her? Where have I
Who is sie? seen that name?"
Walking back to the escritoire, he took up the letter
and read aloud ;
Murray Hill Hotel, June i8.
Kind Sir:
Father and I arrived in the city last night. He wishes me to
call on yon at three o'clock this afternoon; business of special
importance to himself.
Resj)ectfnlly,
To Vance Gilder, Esq. LOUISE BONIFIELD.
"No," he said aloud, "I do not remember Miss Touise
Bonifield. It is doubtless very stupid of me, and all that,
but if ever I even heard the name before, it certainly has
GIÍA V ROCKS.
13
passed from my memory. She says three o'clock," and
glancing at the French time-piece which, helped to make
, up the furniture of his room, he saw it was preparing to
strike the hour of three.
Scarcely had the sound of the mellow cathedral bell
died away, when the door-bell clanged out like a harsh
echo of the clock's last stroke. The servant brought in a
card bearing the name of ' ' Touise Bonifield, and re¬
ceived instructions to admit the visitor at once.
The rustling of skirts was soon heard in the hallway.
The half-hesitation of the visitor as she stood
in the open door might have suggested
momentary confusion, but reassurance
seemed to assert itself as she complied with
the melodious invitation of Vance Gilder to
enter and be seated.
This vision of liveliness that entered the
bachelor apartments of Vance Gilder might
have been eighteen years old, but certainly
no more. In stature she was of medium
Hts msttor. jjgight, rather slender, and sustained herself
with the deportment of a queen.
She accepted the proffered chair and raised to Vance's
face a pair of laughing blue eyes that might be danger¬
ous. The parting of her rosy lips displayed her ivory
teeth to advantage, while her evident embarrassment
tinged with pink her beautiful cheeks.
"I called," she stammered, "to see Mr. Vance Gilder."
"At your service," he replied, bowing low.
"But really, sir, are you Mr. Gilder?"
"I believe," he, replied, "that I enjoy the doubtful
honor of that appellation. ' '
Ii GRAY ROCKS.
"It must be," she faltered, with increasing embarrass'
ment, "alla mistake,"
Vance Gilder, with all his boasted matter-of-fact prin¬
ciples, was wonderfully interested in his fair visitor. She
evidently was a stranger in the city, or a skilled actress.
In referring to her afterwards, he spoke of her as a ' 'dream
of loveliness."
He was too chivalrous to permit his visitor's embar¬
rassment to increase if he could help it, and quickly
GRA V ROCKS.
15
assured her that it was not a very serious mistake, and
asked in what way he could serve her, at the same time
saying he regretted exceedingly that he did not answer
the description of the Vance Gilder for whom she was
seeking.
"The Mr. Gilder for whom I am looking," said his
fair visitor, ' 'is a much older gentleman than you. He
visited father some three years ago, at Gold Bluff, Idaho,
and owns an interest in Gray Rocks, my father's
mine. My father is very anxious to meet Mr. Gilder; in
fact, we have come all the way from Idaho expressly for
that purpose. He would have called in person, but was
taken ill last evening—so ill, indeed, that we found it
necessary to summon a physician. We are stopping at
the Murray Hill Hotel. I fear my father will be greatly
disappointed."
A shade of sadness stole over the usually buoyant face
of Vance Gilder.
"I think I understand," said he. ' "I bear the name
of my father, who, after spending several months in the
mining districts of Idaho, went to California, where he
remained over a year, endeavoring to regain his health.
He returned home a little less than two years ago and
died within two months after his arrival.
' ' As his living representative, and in honor of his
memory, ' ' said he, with feeling, ' 'if there is any way in
which he could have served you or your father, had he
lived, I will volunteer, to the extent of my ability, to act
in his stead."
"It certainly is very kind of you," she replied, "but I
am distressed at this intelligence, and know my father will
be also. We learned to think a great deal of Mr. Gilder
16
G RA y ROCKS.
during his few months' stay at Gold Bluff. You can cer¬
tainly do my father a great service by calling on him."
"I shall take great pleasure," said Vance, in his earn¬
est way, ' 'in doing so. I am employed on the 'Banner,
and my duties will prevent me calling before tomorrow at
ten o'clock, but at that hour, tell your father he may
expect me."
She had risen while he was speaking, and with a face
full of sympathy and kindness, thanked him for his prom¬
ise; and before he realized what was transpiring, the hall
door closed and she was gone.
The house from which she had taken her leave was one
of the best overlooking Central Park, in New York City.
Vance Gilder, the elder, was a man of great determination
of character, and had accumulated a fortune while yet in
the prime of life. He built for himself this house. It
was surrounded by elegantly kept gardens and velvet
lawns.
He retired from business late in the '60's, intending to
devote himself to his wife and only son, then a mere child,
and his library. Scarcely a year of such enjoyment was
allowed him before his wife sickened and died, leaving
him his son and his fortune. It was hardly more than
natural that he should lavish a great deal of attention a nd
wealth upon his child.
As his son grew to manhood, his father discovered a
recklessness and extravagance which was sadly at vari¬
ance with those economic principles which he himself had
so studiously practiced. Vance stood fairly well in his
classes, and after graduating at Princeton, went abroad,
vi.siting the principal cities of Europe, and spending
money in such a lavish way that at the expiration of a
GRA Y ROCKS.
17
year his father summoned him home and remonstrated
with him "Severely on his manner of living and his ex¬
pensive habits.
Piqued at the rebuke, he quarreled with his father, and
started out to make his way in the world alone. The
estrangement was of short duration, however, and soon
after the reconciliation he secured a position on the Ban¬
ner, and assiduously devoted himself to the study of
journalism. He gave up his follies and fast living, and
found more enjoyment in his work on the Banner than he
had ever found in swell dinners and midnight carousals
at his club.
2
CHAPTER II.
THE OLD MINER.
fROOM in which we have introduced
Vance Gilder to the reader, in the home
overlooking Central Park, had been his
from childhood, and furnished by his
father in its present luxurious style, as a
reward for his devotion to the profession
,1 of journalism.
His father had invested his income in
real estate, and in the lapse of years
found himself possessed of a fortune many times greater
than he had ever anticipated. He traveled a great deal
over the west, and at Gold Bluff, Idaho, he found in Ben
Bonifield, the owner of Gray Rocks, a playmate of his
youth.
Ben Bonifield had staked out a claim which he called
"Gray Rocks," and had worked away for several years
with pick and shovel, believing that some day he would
"strike it rich"—and from the output of other mining
properties in that vicinity, it seemed as if his expectations
might be realized some day.
He deeded a half interest in his mine to the elder
Gilder, in consideration of certain moneys advanced him
to develop the property. This one investment was the
only one that Mr. Gilder ever made outside of New York
18
GÄA V ROCKS.
19
City, and it is quite probable that in making this one it
was not so much an investment as a desire to assist his
boyhood's friend. The deed which Ben Bonifield gave
had been duly recorded, but in his travels on the Pacific
coast he had in some way mislaid it, and on his return to
New York City he had died without ever having men¬
tioned the matter to his son. When his father died,
Vance was bowed down with grief, while the old Scotch
house-keeper and her husband could not have mourned
more sincerely had the elder Gilder been related by the
nearest ties of blood.
Vance found his father had not only left a fortune, but
also a will. The date of this instrument showed that it
was executed during the months of their estrangement,
and had never been changed. The important part of the
will, for this narrative, was a clause limiting Vance to an
annuity of $5,000, provided he remained at the old home¬
stead and gave employment and a home to the Scotch
house-keeper and her husband; but the title to the vast
property which he owned was not to pass into his custody
until he was forty years of age.
To the credit of the son, it can be said that he enter¬
tained no enmity towards his father because of this pro¬
vision, but regarded it as simple justice. In the mean¬
time, he devoted himself with more energy than ever to
his profession, was economical in his habits, and had the
consolation of knowing that he was being advanced from
time to time on the Banner, until he was now regarded as
one of the most trusted men on that great journal.
To be a member of the 'Banner staff of newsgatherers
was a position to be envied by thosé similarly employed
on less imposing journals. His associates—the city
20
GRA V ROC/iTS.
editor, the religious editor, the dramatic critic, the police
reporter, and the heads of several other departments—
were in the habit of discussing the topics of the times from
a strictly democratic standpoint, with the regularity with
which day follows night.
The "old man," or managing editor, could not take a
deeper interest in the columns of the Banner than did his
faitliful coterie of assistants. The managing editor prided
himself on his ability to recognize and command intel¬
lectual forces.
With the breaking of the dawn anew paper, filled with
news deftly gathered from the four corners of the earth,
was ushered into life, teeming with the world's history of
a day, to be discussed by the banker, the politician, and
the professional and non-professional classes over the
breakfast-table. Each issue was a daily history possess¬
ing a soul and character distinctly its own, which collect¬
ively made up the policy of one of the greatest journals of
New York City. Before high noon of each day a news¬
paper has generally served its purpose—dies; is a thing
of the past, and the record of events found in its columns
becomes ancient history.
The following morning at ten o'clock, agreeable to his
promise, Vance Gilder was at the Murray Hill Hotel, and
sent up his card to Ben Bonifield. Instead of receiving
in his room, the old gentleman joined Vance in the lobby.
He was a typical character—once seen, never forgotten.
An old Virginian by birth and education, he still retained
the courtly polish of one of the southern aristocracy,
which many years of mining life had not been able to
wholly destroy. In stature he was fully six feet, and
rather portly; his oval face was smooth-shaven, save an
GRA V ROCKS.
27
iron-gray moustaclie. He wore his'hair rather long, and
the rim of his black felt hat was broad as a sombrero.
His Prince Albert coat of broad-cloth was of old-time
date, and suggested a revival of ancient gentility.
"Glad to see yo', suh; am delighted to meet a son of
my old friend. Colonel Gilder."
He clasped Vance's hand warmly.
"He clasped Vance's hand warmly, and his face was
full of sympathy as he referred to the recent information
he had received concerning Mr. Gilder's death. They
22
GJÍAV ROCKS.
soon found seats in a retired corner of the lobby, and after
assuring Vance that he had entirely recovered from his
recent illness, the old gentleman plunged into business.
"Yo' know, of cou'se, that yo'r father owned a one-
half interest in Gray Rocks?"
"No, I was not aware of the fact until your daughter
named it to me yesterday," replied Vance.
"Yo' su'prise me, suh, yo' really do," said the old
miner, "but it is true, nevertheless, and the deed is on
record; and what is mo', suh, Gray Rocks is destined to
be the richest gold mine in Idaho. Yo' see, I have been
workin' away on Gray Rocks for seven years—kep' right
at it, winter an' summer, and while I have not 'struck it'
yet, I am positive, suh, that if I had a little mo' money
to push the work, my most sanguine expectations would
be mo' than re'lized. We are now on the 200 foot level,
but it seems, suh, it is not deep enough. A most won¬
derful showin', in my opinion, suh, will be made when
the 300 foot level is reached, and we have cross-cut into
the vein."
"I am not very well versed in regard to mining, in
fact know next to nothing about it, but of course, as I am
a half owner in a gold mine, I am naturally interested in
having it developed."
"Well, suh," said the old gentleman, "yo' see I am.
I know all about mines. Yes, suh, I assure yo, on my
honor, that I can tell 'pay dirt' as far as I can see it, suh,
if I am sixty-five years old, Yo' see, suh," continued
the old miner, "let us suppose this table is the top of the
mountain. Now, where I place this ink-stand, is Gray
Rocks; just beyond, here where I lay this pen-stalk, is the
Peacock mine. It joins us directly on the nawth. The
G RA V ROCKS. 23
Excelsior is at this point, where I lay my eye-glasses,
directly south of Gray Rocks. Both of them, suh, are
payin' immense dividends, and befo' a year, with proper
management. Gray Rocks will be doin' the same.
' ' What we must do, suh, is to sink
the shaft on Gray Rocks to a 300 foot
level, and we will cross-cut into a vein
of wealth, suh, that will make yo' rich
as a Vanterbilt. Yes, suh ; take my
word fo' it. Now," he continued,
''there is old Grim; he owns a ma-
jo'ity of the stock in the feacock, and
he wanted to buy out Gray Rocks, but
! can teW pay dirt.' when he Icamed, suh, that I only had
a half interest, he refused to talk with me any mo' about
it. He said he wanted all or none. Confidentially, Mr.
Gilder, I consider old Grim the most ill-mannered man in
the Eish River minin' district, and us miners, suh, usually
form a pretty correct idea of mankind in gene'l. I have
been minin' it now fo' over thirty years, and while I have
never 'struck it' yet, I assure yo' on my word, suh, that I
have mo' confidence in Gray Rocks to-day than ever befo'. "
"Of course. Col. Bonifield," said Vance, "I know
nothing about your technical expressions of 'sinking
shafts, ' ' cross-cutting, ' and all that sort of thing, but I
remember now of my father speaking of you on several
occasions, and I doubt not, if he were living, he would
gladly assist you in any way in his power. Personally,
my means are limited, but if your wants are not too great,
I will gladly give you my assistance. ' '
" Give me yo're hand, suh! Why, Mr. Gilder, yo're a
gentleman that I'm proud to meet, suh. A Gilder, suh.
24
GßAY JiOCKS.
of the old school, belonging to one of the oldest' and
proudest families of Virginia—yes, suh. Now, you have
a half interest in Gray Rocks, and if yo' can furnish the
money, Mr. Gilder, to sink the shaft to the 300 foot level,
I will go back to Gold Bluif and immediately commence
the work—and mind, Mr. Gilder, I give yo' my word
that yo' will never lose a dollar; no, suh. Gray Rocks is
a sure winner. The claim is patented and our title is
perfect; but we must do mo', suh; we must sink our
shaft, and it costs money to sink shafts, and a pow'ful
sight of hard work into the bargain, suh. I came to New
York especially to see yo're father and have him help me
by advancin' a little mo' money. He paid me $1,000,
suh, fo' a half interest in Gray Rocks. I told him, and I
tell yo' now, it will bring yo' a million. Yes, suh, I
pledge yo' my word it will. ' '
The old gentleman's words, his enthusiasm, his south¬
ern courtliness, and his unmistakable belief in Gray
Rocks, carried Vance quite awa}-, in anticipation of his
half-ownership in a gold mine. He mentally computed
the amount of money he had in the bank, and felt that
he would willingly check out his last half-dollar to sink
the shaft on Gray Rocks to a 300 foot level.
He had to his credit in the Chemical National .Bank
some fifteen thousand dollars, and finally ventured to ask
about how much it would take to do the work.
"Why, yo' see, suh," replied the old miner, "the mo'
a fellow has, the quicker he can sink a shaft. Now, I
could get along at present with, say $1,500, but $2,000
would be betteh, and $2,500 would be a great plenty."
"Very well," replied Vance, "I'll advance you $2,500,
and can bring it to you within a couple of hours. ' '
GJíAy ROCKS.
25
The old gentleman was highly delighted with Vance's
ready acquiescence in the matter, and shook his hand
warmly, assuring him that he was a very true Virginian.
Taking his leave, he quitted the hotel, and in less than
two hours paid to Col. Bonifield $2,500.
The old gentleman was very urgent
for Vance to remain and lunch with
him.
"My Louise, suh," he said, "will
be delighted to see yo'. Now, suh,
there's one girl in a thousand. I call
her a diamond in the rough, suh.
She stays by the' old man, and has just
as much faith in the ultimate outcome
of Gray Rocks as I have, I some- -^^^Coioncirccei-.^. $2.^00.
times think, suh, that I ought not to keep her away so
far from civil'zation, so to speak, among the mountains;
but she says, 'We will wait until we strike it.' I assure
yo', suh, she is a wonderful comfort to me."
Vance endeavored to persuade the old gentleman to
bring his daughter and stop at his house for a few days,
but the old miner explained that his stay could not be
prolonged; that he was impatient to begin work on the
mine, sinking the shaft to the 300 foot level, and then
commence cross-cutting. He insisted that he must start
for Gold Bluff by the evening train.
Ascending to the ladies' parlor, Vance waited until the
old miner brought his daughter to bid him good-bye. As
she came into the room on the arm of her stately father,
Vance had hard work to convince himself that such a
queenly girl as stood before him could have grown to such
loveliness among the mountains of the northwest.
CHAPTER III.
THE BANNER FORCE.
t
GREAT metropolitan journal like the
Banner, has a tendency to swallow up
individual characteristics in its own self-
importance. A man may be ever so
clever with his pen, and contribute the
most readable articles day after day and
year after year, and yet not one reader
in ten thousand has any idea whose com¬
position he is perusing.
Vance Gilder was only one of the force, and yet he was
a favorite with his associates. He sometimes dreamed of
promotion, and the time when he would be a correspond¬
ent of note, or possibly at the head of some important
department on that great paper. Visions of special work
which would call him not only to different parts of his
own country, but to foreign parts as well, charmed him
into contentment and renewed energy.
Only once during his connection with the Banner had
he made anything like a "hit." He had on one solitary
occasion succeeded in "scooping" the other New York
journals in a most masterly manner. Indeed, to Vance
belonged the credit of having completely humiliated the
other dailies with an article under ñaming headlines and
double-leaded. As a compensation, he was sent for by
26
GRA y ROCKS.
27
the chief, and received that august person's special
thanks. This was a mark of distinction, for it was sel¬
dom that he paid compliments. On the other hand, if the
work was not up to the standard, the staff generally heard
from hiiu in a volley of profanity that caused them to
doubt the permanency of their positions.
On the night after Ben Bonfield started for Gold Bluff,
Vance found himself thinking a great deal about Gray
Rocks. To a young man of fwenty-five, fifteen years
seems a long time to wait for the possession of one's
property. There is a certain fascination about the idea
of owning a gold mine, and this charm had taken pos¬
session of Vance to a degree far beyond that which he
was willing to admit, and between the lines of copy, he
speculated on the future and built many castles in the air.
The half interest which his father owned in Gray Rocks
had not been named in the will, and as Vance was his
only heir, it naturally occurred to him that in case the old
miner should ' 'strike it rich, ' ' he would find himself with
a handsome competency long before his fortieth birthday.
For the first time during the years of his connection
with the banner, a feeling of dissatisfaction stole over
him, and he was glad Colonel Bonfield had been so
prompt in returning to Gold Bluff, for he felt the work of
sinking the shaft on Gray Rocks should be commenced
at the earliest possible moment. There was also a feeling
of regret deep down in his heart that he had not had an
opportunity to know more of the fair Roiiise, the remem¬
brance of whose laughing blue eyes and perfect freedom
from affectation hovered near him with a distinctness that
he had never before experienced with any of his young
lady friends.
28
G/i A V ROCKS.
He was in this state of mind when the police reporter
came in and declared that he was disgusted with the
scarcit)»- of crime.
" I say, Vance," said he, "it's getting
to be a pretty pass when a fellow has to
rummage all over the city for a few
crumbs of accidental deaths, street
brawls and shooting affairs." Before
Vance h'ad time to reply, the religious
editor commenced swearing about the
uninteresting sermons he was compelled
to write of late.
The dramatic critic observed that he
The sporting editor, presumed Writing sermons was a rather
stupid business, but if the reading public could endure
them, the religious editor ought to be able to, at $60 a week.
The religious editor said, " By Gad! old boy, you're
about right," and begged a cigarette of the dramatjc
critic, declaring that he did not know with whom he
would rather smoke than a representative of the foot¬
lights. He then slapped Vance on the shoulder in a
jocular way, and asked him what made him so quiet.
" Scoops are scarce," replied Vance, without lifting his
eyes from the copy he was revising.
" Scarce! " chimed in the city editor, " I should say so.
"We have not had such a thing as a ' scoop ' about the
office for six months."
"Journalism," observed the dramatic critic, "is, with¬
out question, the king of professions. Here we see life
in its every phase."
" I am beginning to think," said Vance, "that journal¬
ism is a drudgery without hope or reward."
CHA V ROCKS.
29
' 'You astonish me, ' ' replied the religious editor. * 'Why,
Vance," he continued, knocking the ashes from his
cigarette, ' 'a fellow with as bright a future in the profes¬
sion as you have, making such a remark as that, causes
me to think you are growing cynical. Think of the
opportunities which journalism affords."
"What opportunities," replied Vance, "have I, or you,
or any other members of the staff, excepting those we
have no right to take advantage of? I freely admit that
there is a fascination abdut the profession of journalism;
an influence, if you please, that holds us in the rut, much
the same as the current of a mighty river—always draw¬
ing everything into the center where the current is swift¬
est—but the individuality of the most talented among us
is completely lost in the great octopus that we are daily
and nightly striving with our best efforts of brawn and
brain to keep supplied with news. ' '
"Bravo!" shouted the police reporter. "There is not
an ordinary prize-fighter in the land but has more indi¬
vidual reputation than any of us. Vance is about right
in his position. ' '
At this juncture of their conversation, a note was
handed to Vance. It was a polite request to report at the
chief's private room at ten o'clock the next morning.
After hastily glancing over it, Vance read it aloud.
"I say, Vance, old boy, that's a little rough; and still,"
continued the religious editor, between vigorous puffs of
his cigarette, ' 'it may be a step up. ' '
It was an open question with members of the force
whether a formal summons into the presence of the chief,
without any intimation of the nature of the interview, was
a good omen or otherwise.
30 GRA V ROCKS.
"Possibly," responded Vance, "but I rather surmise it
is a step out."
A note was handed Uance.
"The evil is sufficient unto the day thereof," observed
the dramatic critic. "It is twelve o'clock, boys; let us
adjourn to the 'realm of pie,' and there we will discuss
the unlooked-for summons. ' '
A half dozen as jolly young fellows as could be found
anywhere, were soon seated in a private room at Thomp¬
son's cafe, partaking of the reporter's stereotyped lunch.
GRA y ROCKS.
31
As a result of their deliberations, there were many hope¬
ful expressions made for the benefit of Vance. There was
an under-current, however, of unmistakable belief, which
Vance was not slow to perceive and share, that his inter¬
view with the chief would not result satisfactorily.
The dramatic critic soon drifted to the leeward of the
question, and with almost forced vivaciousness recounted
the latest hit of a jolly little soubrette dancer at Madison
Square Gardens. His description was not only interest¬
ing, but a welcome diversion from the somber subject
that might mean a separation of Vance from the staflF.
The religious editor took up the cue where the dramatic
critic let go, and commenced swearing in newspaper par¬
lance about the unsatisfactory work he was doing in his
department. The police reporter came in for a descrip¬
tion of a ' 'knock-out' ' he had witnessed in the Bowery,
and for the edification of his associates, explained the
difference between a "shoulder-strike" and an "under¬
cut. ' '
On returning to their respective
posts of duty, there was but little said,
but it was noticeable that Vance was
bid good night with more considera¬
tion than usual.
As Vance hurried along toward the
elevated road, his thoughts were again
filled with that demure little Touise,
a product of the great mountains of
the west. With her had come a hope
—perhaps only a visionary one—stimulated by the enthu¬
siasm of the old"miner. He did not pause to analyze
32
GRA y ROCKS.
the sustaining hope which he experienced; he only knew
that it took off the keen edge of anxiety which otherwise
he would have felt concerning his coming interview
with the chief.
CHAPTER IV.
A SUPPER PARTY.
Í T TEN O'CLOCK the following morning,
M,, Vance sent in his card to the chief, and
I was immediately admitted to his presence.
II "Good morning, Mr. Gilder."
"Good morning, sir," was Vance's
prompt reply.
' T sent for you, ' ' said the chief, as he
industriously looked over a bundle of pa¬
pers on his desk, "to discuss a matter I have had in mind
for some time. ' '
"Yes, sir," was Vance's laconic reply.
The chief having found the paper he evidently had
been searching for, motioned Vance to be seated, and
turning to him, asked:
"Have you ever traveled much in the west?"
"Have never been west of Buffalo."
"Your work," observed the chief, "has been very sat¬
isfactory—I may say, especially so—and it is the policy
of the 'Banner not only to r eward those who have talent,
but also to keep pace with the times, and give its readers
reliable information upon all questions of moment and
importance. The great Northwest has been opening up
for the last half century. There have been booms and
eounter-booms out in that country, spasmodically, for
3 33
34
GHA y Rociirs.
many years; and a great many fortunes have been lost
by ill-advised investors, but I am not personally familiar
with anyone who has bettered his condition in western
speculations. Just at the present time the northwest is
attracting, as you are doubtless aware, considerable atten¬
tion, and the effort to popularize it by the western press,
seems unabating. Our eastern people, even some of the
oldest families of New York, are becoming poisoned with
the virus of western investments. My private opinion is
that instead of receiving dividends on these holdings, they
will lose principal and all.
'We want," said he, "a level-headed correspondent in
that western country. Mark, I say level-headed, for the
reason that not infrequently an eastern man, especially
if he is imacquainted with the wonderland of the west,
loses his head, figuratively speaking, and becomes won
over by the fairy tales of prospective wealth, as told by
the average real estate boomer.
"You, Mr. Gilder," said the chief, eying Vance with
great directness, ' 'have been selected for this important
position of trust. I might," he continued, as if it were
an after-thought, ' 'modify my remarks by saying there
are some places in the west worthy of credence, possessing
real merit; but in nine cases out of ten, the new towns
that are springing up throughout the northwestern por¬
tion of the United States are, in my judgment, intangible
as moonshine. In short, there is entirely too much capi¬
tal flowing from the east into those wildcat western spec¬
ulations, and we desire to give a series of letters descrip¬
tive of that country to the readers of the Banner, contain¬
ing the facts stripped of all allurement, and dissuade them
from such unstable investments as are daily being made.'
GRA V ROCKS.
35
"I deem," continued the chief, "these few suggestions
necessary for your good in governing the character of
your correspondence from that western country to the
columns of the 'Banner. I shall expect you to be ready
tomorrow evening, and start on the six o'clock train. As
you will probably be away for some time, it would be
well for you to arrange your private affairs accordingly.
Call tomorrow at eleven o'clock, and I will have ready
the necessary credentials, transports and instructions."
Vance bowed his acquiescence and
turned to go, when the chief said:
' 'By the way, instead of $40 a week,
your present salary, you will receive $60
and expenses, which doubtless will be ,
satisfactory. ' '
Vance attempted to express his appre¬
ciation of the confidence that had been
reposed in him, of so important an under¬
taking; but the chief waved him to The managing editor.
silence and muttered something about ' ' time being
money," and at once turned to other affairs that were
awaiting his attention.
That afternoon Vance was not found among the staff,
and a new man occupied his chair. He called on Thomas
Patten, Esq., the attorney who had represented the Gilder
family for many years, and named in his father's will as
trustee, and explained to him his promotion, telling him he
would start for the west the next evening.
His old associates at the Banner were asking questions
of one another as to what had transpired between Vance
and the chief, but no one seemed to know anything ahout
it, except that a new man-was on duty and Vance absent.
36
GRA y ROCKS.
At half past eleven o'clock that night the dramatic critic
hurried in from the street and passed word around among
the coterie that a surprise was waiting for them over at
Thompson's cafe. Thompson's is, and has been for many
years, a favorite resort for newspaper men. Vance Gilder
was well known to the manager as a member of the 'Ban¬
ner staff, and when that afternoon he requested that a
lunch something better than the ordinary be prepared, he
was assured that everything would be in readiness.
The dramatic critic ushered his associates into a private
room precisely at twelve o'clock. Vance was in waiting,
and a warm greeting was exchanged. The religious
editor declared that he believed a conspiracy of gigantic
proportions had been laid to entrap the meek and lowly,
but, nevertheless, he took his place with alacrity at the
table to enjoy the modest but excellent feast prepared for
the occasion.
A few bottles of rare old wine added interest to the sur¬
prise which Vance had so cleverly arranged. After the
glasses had been filled and drained, the political editor
moved that an explanation was in order.
"My friends," said Vance, "the most important dis¬
closure I have to make is that my salary has been raised
to $60 a week."
The religious editor said, "By Gad," and fell from his
chair, declaring that his nerves were so unstrung that it
would require another glass of wine to restore them.
After Vance had carefully narrated his interview with the
chief, he received the hearty congratulations of his asso¬
ciates. Each vied with the others in wishing him
unbounded success as a western correspondent for the
Banner.
GRA V HOCÁrS.
37
' 'I understand, ' ' said the political editor, after clearing
his throat with a glass of wine, "that the west is teeming
with opportunities in a political way; and I would not be
surprised," he added, "if the Honorable Vance Gilder
would be the next thing we hear of, as mayor of some
municipality in the Rocky Mountain region, or possibly
as a member of Congress from the Third District."
My salary has been raised.
' 'Or still better, ' ' observed the religious editor, ' 'presi¬
dent of one of those bonanza gold mines that advertise
38
GR A y ROCKS.
Ihcin.sclves as being the greatest dividend paying proper¬
ties in the world."
"What's the matter," said the police reporter, "of
being moderate in your expectations? Suppose Vance
secures the position of judge of the police court in one of
those western towns, where from a dozen to twenty
drunks and brawls occur every twenty-four hours—ye
gods! what a country for rich morsels of crime! "
It was conceded by all that Vance would have abundant
opportunity for making investments here and there in the
growing west that would materially increase his financial
prospects.
"Sixty dollars," said the dramatic critic, as he finished
his third glass of wine, "is quite a step up, but evidently
a mere bagatelle to the 'pick-ups' on the side, in a new
country that is just developing like the west is at the
present time. ' '
That Vance was one of the luckiest fellows living was
the verdict of all his associates. After the lunch had been
disposed of and a good-night glass of wine drunk to
Vance's success, he bade his companions good-night, and
was soon being driven rapidly up
Eighth Avenue to Central Park, west.
On reaching his room he began to feel
more than ever that he had awakened
to find himself famous, and that a great
honor had been thrust upon him.
His gratitude to his chief was un¬
bounded, but like the young and am¬
bitious everywhere, his own personal
advancement in a financial sense was a i,
consideration not to be overlooked. Tbty aubrau.
GIÍA V ROCKS.
39
While he knew personally very little about the Western
country, the many allusions of his companions to the rare
opportunities which awaited him in the new world he
was about to visit filled him with a vague, indescribable
sense of importance.
As he retired for the night, he assured himself that
Gold Bluff, Idaho, would be one of his objective points,
and hoped he would be there when the shaft reached the
300 foot level. He was beginning to share the old
miner's enthusiasm and confidence in Gray Rocks.
He drifted away into a restful sleep, while visions of a
lovely girl in early womanhood, with beautiful blue eyes,
"gentle grace and sovereign sweetness," rose in a mist
before him, and he dreamed he was at Gold Bluff.
CHAPTER V.
AN ODD CHARACTER.
Trip from New York to the inter-moun¬
tain country of the west, with the present
railroad facilities of palatial Pullmans and
dining cars, is now an every-day affair.
The traveler is surrounded b}- every com¬
fort. Vance Gilder was more than ever
in love with the change, as the cars rum¬
bled on through dell and forest, across
broad stretches of beautiful valley coun¬
try, and ever and anon rushing over an iron bridge that
spanned some beautiful stream of water, some of them
calm and peaceful, and others rushing madly along,
breaking into white spray over rocky ripples, and then
b.urrying on again as if they were running a race
with time.
As he approached the Rocky Mountain country, and
for the first time in his life gazed upon that might}^ range
of Nature's towering masonry, he was almost intoxicated
with the new sights to be seen on the "crown of the
continent. ' '
Notwithstanding his enjoyment of the new and varied
scenery, he was glad enough to abandon the cars at Butte
City, after four days and nights of continuous riding.
Butte City is said to be, not only the greatest mining
40
GRA V ROCRS.
41
camp in Montana, but the greatest in the world. They
boast of the many millions that are brought to the light of
day by the magic wand of the miner's pick. Vance
found lodging at the Mercury Hotel, and early the next
morning, after breakfasting heartily, started for a walk.
The town is built on a side-hill, gently rising from the
depot grounds westward to a very considerable elevation.
He paused now and then to inspect the architecture of
some of the buildings, and then looked away toward the
smelter districts, at the black clouds of smoke wbich the
GJÍA V ROC/CS.
chimneys were belching forth, and falling over the city
like a veil of mourning.
Presently he was accosted by an individual of grizzly
beard and good-natured countenance, who said :
"Hello, pard; how d'ye do? Sizin' up these diggins'
be ye?"
As Vance eyed his questioner rather critically and
acknowledged the salutation, the fellow reached him a
card which bore the name "Hank Casey." While Vance
was glancing at the card, his new acquaintance said :
"I reckon you be from down east? I come from thar'
a long time ago. You'll notice from my card that I'm in
the real estate business; also have some fine minin'
propositions. ' '
"Yes," replied Vance, "I am from the east, but do not
know as I care to make any investments. ' '
"Well, now, look'ee here, stranger, I 'spect I might
give you a pinter or two that may not come amiss. This
'ere town is chuck up full of dead beats and black legs,
who make it their business to run every new feller in that
comes from down east. Now Hank Casey do a straight-
for'ard, legitimate business—that's me," said he, as he
tucked his thumbs into the armholes of his vest and
straightened himself to his fullest height.
Vance was amused by this odd character, and deter¬
mined to learn from him what he could concerning Butte
Cit}- and the claims made for it. He therefore asked,
' 'What population have you and what are your resources?' '
"Over fifty thousand people, above an' below. You
see, thar's several thousand of us in this town below
ground, workin' away with shovel an' pick. I reckon as
how you'll see a fair sample of our miners if you're on the
GRA V ROCKS.
streets to-night. As for resources—why, pardner, thar's
no end to 'em. We took out mighty near forty million
dollars from our mines last year, an' thar's ore enough
in sight to keep on minin' at the same rate for a hundred
years to come. What d'ye think o' that? "
Vance replied that it certainly was a most extraordinary
statement. ' ' What other towns have you in this state, ' '
asked Vance.
' ' None to speak of, " was the prompt
reply. ' ' Butte City is the pertest
town in any o' these western diggins'.
Thar's not another town in Montana
as can tech one side of us, for money,
marbles, or chalk. To be sure," he
went on, in a condescending tone, ' 'we
have lots o' towns in this 'ere state,
sech as they be; lots o' minin' camps,
but they are merely blacksmith-shops- ■Wuns Case^.
on-the-crossfoads, ' compared with Butte City. D'ye see
that corner lot over thar'? Five years ago I owned the
ground whar'that buildin'stands. I bought it for $300,held
it just thirteen months, and sold it for $4,000 spot cash."
" Why that was an immense profit," said Vance, with
more interest than he had yet manifested in Hank Casey's
description of Butte City. Hank Casey smiled content¬
edly and expectorated an accumulation of tobacco juice
with a resounding " pit-tew" on the side-walk, and said;
"You call that a good profit? Why, pardner, I bought
stock in the Blackbird mine at twelve cents a share when
the "company was fust organized, and now it's worth $300
a share and payin' an immense dividend monthly. That's
what I call a good investment; butas fer that speck,"
44
GRA V ROCKS.
said he, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at the corner
lot, "that don't amount tonothin'."
"Do you know where Gold Bluff, Idaho, is?" asked
Vance.
"I reckon I ought to know," replied the boomer; "me
an' Steve Gibbons were the fust prospectors in that 'neck
o' the woods.' Steve an' I claim to own the Peacock,
but old Rufus Grim, the biggest scoundrel in Idaho—yes,
the biggest in this whole minin' country—claims to own
it, and has got possession, and I've learned, in this west¬
ern country 'specially, that possession is not only nine
points of the law, but mighty near ten. Of course, a gold
mine like the Peacock is a mighty handy thing to have in
the family, but as a general rule, they're mighty unsar-
tin. Give me a silver or copper mine every time."
Vance assured his new-found acquaintance that he was
under many obligations for the information received, and
said he hoped to meet him again. Hank Casey, how¬
ever, was not to be disposed of in this way,-and walked
along with Vance. Presently he called his attention to
some vacant lots across the street.
"D'ye see them lots over thar? I can sell you one o'
them fifty-foot lots at $3,500, an' I'll bet diamonds against
peanuts it'll be a rich buy at $10,000 before two years.
By the way, stranger, what's the matter with you takin'
a leetle 'fiyer' in Butte City dirt? Buy a few lots, stop
here with us for six months, sell 'em out agin for 100 per
cent, profit, an' that'll pay all the expenses of jmur west¬
ern trip. See?" said he, touching Vance gently in the
ribs with his elbow.
' 'Yes; I see, ' ' said Vance, ' 'I see very clearly, or would.
GRA y ROCKS.
45
were it not for the smoke. It smells like sulphur. Does
it come from some of your mills or smelters?' '
"Now, look'ee here, pard, you're just
like every other down-easter. They're
always kickin' 'bout this smoke. Now,
let me tell you; if we didn't have that 'ar
smoke we wouldn't have any Butte City,
and besides, it kills the bacteria, molecules,
an' all that sort o' thing. It's mighty
n. sulphur smoke. Wealthy here, I can tell you, an' a mighty
pert town into the bargain."
Vance coughed immoderately, but Hank Casey who
was acclimated, assured him that he was at that moment
breathing the healthiest air that ever his lungs were
filled with.
In the course of their walk, the boomer kept up a con¬
stant conversation, explaining different points of interest,
pointing out the different mining properties in sight and
telling their names, until Vance felt that he had been very
fortunate in falling in with one so conversant with Butte
City. At parting, Vance bade his new-found friend good
day, and promised to call at his office before leaving the
city.
When he returned to the hotel, he commenced his first
letter to the 'Banner, but it was not finished until late that
night. When it appeared in the great New York journal
it surprised, in point of brilliancy and interest, even his
warmest friends. His descriptions were so vivid and life¬
like, and his characters so droll, and withal teeming with
information, that a score of letters came to the managing
editor, assuring him of the great pleasure and profit they
had experienced in its perusal. Of course, Vance knew
46
Gjü^ V ROCKS.
nothing of this at the time, but devoted himself with
unceasing diligence in searching out reliable information,
and then framing it into weekly letters.
Butte City began to impress him as a place of more
importance than he had at first thought. He learned
that almost one million of dollars was paid out monthly
to the miners alone, and they, as a class, are "hail fellows
well met, ' ' who believe in the doctrine of keeping money
in constant circulation.
He noticed in many of the mercantile houses that
when the day clerks went off duty at six o'clock in the
evening, another set of clerks came on, and the shops and
stores, by the aid of brilliant electric lights, continued
business twenty-four hours out of the day the year around.
Vance frequently thought of his conversation with the
managing editor, and what he had said about western
towns and the over-enthusiastic town boomer. In Hank
Casey he felt he had found a typical character that fully
came up to all the managing editor had inferred, and had
frequently used him as an inspiration, but was becoming
more and more convinced that Butte City was one of
those solid, substantial places which the managing editor
had classed as exceptions to the rule.
CHAPTER VI.
THE TOWN BOOMER.
BOUT TWO WEEKS after Vance Gilder
arrived in Butte City, he noticed one
morning that everybody was talking
about a new town, and each was asking
the others what they thought about it.
Glancing at the hotel register, he saw the
name. Homer Winthrop, of Waterville,
Idaho.
In looking over the Butte City Miner
and the Inter-Mountain Blade, both healthy dailies and
well edited, he was somewhat astonished to find a full-page
advertisement in each of the papers, setting forth in blaz¬
ing splendor the great Thief River Valley, and signed by
Homer Winthrop as agent, announcing that he would be
at the Mercury Hotel for a short time, and inviting those
who were interested in investing a little money in a purely
agricultural city, to come early and "get in on the
ground fioor. ' '
The advertisement represented Waterville as being in
the midst of the great Thief River Valley, with the largest
water power in the country, surrounded by an agricul¬
tural district of two million acres of the richest land the
sun ever shone down upon. He termed the new town of
47
4S
Ü/^A ] ■ /BOCA'S.
Waten ille the "City of Destiny," and said the price of
town lots would quadruple in a few years' time.
Vance was at once interested. "Here," said he to him¬
self, "is a genuine town boomer, and as the fellow is
stopping at this hotel, it will be an easy matter to learn
just how this boom business is operated. It will make an
excellent article for the Banner. ' '
Accordingly, about eleven o'clock that forenoon he
called to see the irrepressible town boomer and hear what
sort of a marvelous story he had to tell about Waterville.
He was quickly admitted into a reception room by a
young gentleman who assured him that Mr. Winthrop
would soon be at lesiure, and begged him to be seated,
calling his attention to the numerous maps on the walls,
one of which covered nearly the entire side of the room.
Winthrop's young assistant seemed to know his busi¬
ness, and at once commenced the preliminary skirmish of
interesting Vance in the great Thief River Valley, and
especially town lots in Waterville; but as Vance did not
evince any inclination to purchase, the young fellow
endeavored so impress him by calling his
attention to the advertisements in the morn¬
ing papers. Every once in a while he would
tip-toe over to the door where the great
town-boomer. Homer Winthrop, was hold¬
ing a private conversation with a would-be
purchaser. He would put his ear to the
keyhole and listen for a moment, and then
come tip-toeing back and assure Vance Mr.
Winthrop would soon be at leisure.
Presently the door opened and a gentle¬
man in miner's garb came out, and \^ance was immedi-
GRA Y ROCKS.
49
ately shown in. As he entered the private room of
Homer Winthrop, he involuntarily paused to study, if
but for a moment, the face of the man who had arrived in
Butte City late the night before, and now had everyone
in the place agog over the prospects of a new town that
had just been laid out on paper in the Thief River Valley.
Homer Winthrop, with all the easy grace of a Chester¬
field, motioned his visitor to a seat, pushing a box of very
superior Havanas toward him, and invited him to join
him in burning a weed. He was a man above the aver¬
age height, inclined to be rather slender, and possessed a
rather good looking face, beaming with good nature and
apparent frankness; a pair of intelligent dark eyes that
laughed and smiled with as much expression as the face,
changeable, however, into intenseness and earnestness
aeldom met with; a broad, intellectual forehead; a rather
square chin, indicating great determination of character.
To this add a luxuriant head of dark hair, and moustache,
otherwise a clean-shaven face, and the reader will have a
fair idea of his appearance.
He was evidently an adept in reading human nature,
and knew his man on sight; had seen much of western
life—and yet it required no second interview to discover
in him the polished manners and easy grace of one who
has seen much of refinement and culture. He could have
entered into the gaieties of a reception in a Fifth Avenue
mansion with as little effort as he had stirred up a city of
50,000 people in a few hours over the magnificent pros¬
pects of a new town that was just budding into existence.
Vance accepted the proffered cigar, and they easily
engaged in conversation. They discussed the great out¬
put of ore from the mines of Butte City, and the wonder-
4
60
GRA Y ROCKS.
ful development of the western country during recent
years; the magnificent mining properties that had been
opened up; and, in fact, nearly everything except Water-
ville and the great Thief River Valley. Homer Winthrop
Vance accepted the proffered cigar.
with the skill of a tactician, narrated incidents and
legends of different miners who had devoted a lifetime in
searching for the precious metal and finally ' 'struck it
rich"'in some out-of-the-way, unexpected place.
Vance finally inquired in regard to the new town of
GRA V JiOCKS.
51
Waterville, and was not a little surprised at the conserv¬
ative reply he received, wholl}' devoid of any enthusiasm.
"Oh," said Winthrop, "we have a very excellent agri¬
cultural country in the valley. We are building our new
town of Waterville on the rapids of the Thief River. It
has, perhaps, the greatest water power of any inland city
in the United States. Many believe a great city will
eventually be built at that point. We also have a great
deal of capital invested in the construction of irrigating
canals, reclaiming the valley lands from their present arid
condition and converting them into productive farms."
He also went on, in a voice full of rhythm that was almost
musical in its intonation, explaining in a modest way
why many people believed in the future of the place,
touching on the numerous natural resources that were
apparent to everyone sufhciently interested to visit the
valley and see for himself.
Vance was deeply interested in Homer Winthrop's
appearance, and later found himself charmed with his new
acquaintance more than he cared to admit, even to him¬
self. On taking his leave, he promised to call again the
next day. As Vance stepped into the reception room, he
found it almost filled with miners and tradesmen who
were waiting for an interview with Mr. Winthrop, and he
rightly guessed that a profitable business was being done.
In thinking over his interview with the town boomer
of Waterville, Vance was compelled to admit that he was
one of the most attractive individuals with whom he had
ever come in contact. That afternoon he finished a letter
to the Banner, but it contained no reference to Waterville.
The result of his second interview was that he accepted
an invitation to visit the new town, which was some two
52
GJ?A y ROCKS.
hundred miles distant. Agreeable to this arrangement,
they left Butte City early one morning, and that evening
reached Waterville.
Vance was not particularly attracted by the general
appearance and "lay" of the new town site. It appeared
crude and unfinished, and abounded with sage brush and
sand. The waters of the rapids, however, in their mad
rushing as they went foaming down the narrows like race
horses, impressed him with a belief that nothing had been
overdrawn in regard to this great natural power, which
had been idling its time away for centuries. Homer Win¬
throp stood by his side on the rocky bank, but said
nothing.
Presently Vance looked up and said: "What a wonder¬
ful power is going to waste in these rapids!"
"It will soon be harnessed," replied
Winthrop, "and this vast power utilized
in many manufacturing enterprises. I
do not feel," he continued, "that I am
over-estimating facts, Mr. Gilder, when
I I say there is power enough here to turn
every spindle in every woolen mill and
factory in the United States."
"My only surprise," replied Vance,
' ' is that these waters have not been put
to use long before this. ' '
That night at the hotel Vance felt he was indeed
"roughing it." He rose in the morning feeling but little
refreshed, and sat down to a very unpalatable breakfast,
and immediately afterwards started with Homer Win¬
throp on a drive through the valley.
Tlie farmers were busy harvesting their grain, and on
GJÍA V ROCKS.
53
inquiry they learned the yield of wheat was froui forty to
seventy bushels to the acre, and that oats yielded from
sixty to one hundred bushels to thé acre. Vance was
greatly astonished, and became almost enthusiastic over
the agricultural possibilities of the valley.
"Why," said he, "Mr. Winthrop, there is no question
but this is destined to be one of the richest agricultural
valleys in the world. In my work on the Banner I have
had occasion to look up statistics on grain products, and
if these farmers are telling the truth in regard to the yield
of their crops, there is no other place like it in the United
States. ' '
A moment after, he was chagrined to think he had
given way to such a burst of enthusiasm. It would have
been better for him to remain a listener, and allow Win¬
throp to grow enthusiastic in praise of the country.
Winthrop, however, took no advantage of Vance's earn¬
estness.
The day was a perfect one; the sun was shining, and
yet there was a cool, invigorating breeze sweeping gently
down from the snow-capped Tetons. Driving rapidly
- and pleasantly along, they at last found themselves near
the foot-hills on a slight elevation overlooking the valley
to the west. Alighting from the carriage, Vance followed
Winthrop's lead, and soon they found themselves on a
table rock, at a sufíicient elevation to see for many miles
to the north, south and west. For a few minutes Vance
contemplated the sight in silence, and then said: "This
is indeed a grand sight. ' ' Turning to Winthrop, he con¬
tinued:
' T have seen many beautiful sights—the Green and
White Mountains of New England, the Cumberland of
54
GJÍAY ROCKS.
\^irgiiiia, and the mighty Rocky Mountains through Colo¬
rado—but standing here on the foot-hills, with the moun¬
tains rising behind us to the sky, with their hoary crests
even on this July day capped with snow, and these
mountain streams, foaming cataracts, all shimmering in
the sunshine, making sweet and restful harmony in their
ceaseless flow, surpasses an3dhiüg I have ever seen. The
valley itself looks like a vast green sward stretching before
us like a map. The yellow shocks of golden grain in the
farming districts are suggestive of what may be in years
to come. No man can look upon such a promising picture
and not be convinced of the commercial importance which
will attend the development of this valley. ' '
During Vance's outburst of ecstacy. Homer Winthrop
said nothing, merely acquiescing, in a modest way, to all
Vance expressed.
Returning to Waterville, they partook of a sumptuous
repast, which Winthrop had ordered especially prepared,
consisting principally of mountain trout, caught that
morning in the Thief River.
After lunch Vance accepted an invitation to smoke and
walk out over the town site.
"This," said Winthrop, "is block fourteen of Eagle's
addition. You see it is less than three blocks from the
center of the town. It is one of the choicest blocks we
have. If you want me to give you some advice, Mr.
Gilder, I will do so, and say, buy a few of these lots.
The price is only $ioo each, and, in my judgment, they
will be worth $500 before five years from to-day. ' '
Vance looked away into the distance at the farm lands,
and the music of the sickle was borne lazily to him by a
gentle breeze; then he turned his gaze toward the river,
GRAY ROCKS.
55
where the roaring waters were crowding down the rapids,
proclaiming in thundering tones that "Waterville was an
exception to the rule. After a little he turned to Homer
Winthrop and said: "I have been advised to keep clear
of these new towns. The person - who gave me this
advice told me there were a few honorable exceptions to
the rule. I must believe, from what I have seen, that
Waterville is an exception. I will take twenty-five of
these lots, and you may fix up the deed for them as soon
as possible. ' '
The deed and abstract were delivered to Vance that
afternoon, and his check for $2,500 was duly deposited in
Homer Winthrop's pocket.
"I may have been foohsh," said Vance, "to act so
hastily in this matter. ' '
Winthrop turned to him, and placing a hand on either
shoulder, looked squarely into his companion's eyes, and
said:
"My belief, Mr. Gilder, is that you have acted wisely,
and if you will keep these lots five years, you will thank
me for suggesting the advisability of making the purchase.
I have but one request to make—that you will wait five
years before passing judgment on my advice."
"Your request is cheerfully granted," replied Vance
with great earnestness, and the two men clasped hands,
and a bond of friendship was thereby woven.
CHAPTER VII.
A VISIT TO WATERVITTE.
NEW WESTERN TOWN is usually pro¬
vided with a public square, and the busi¬
ness houses and shops are arranged along
the four sides of it in sentinel-like posi¬
tion, the corner lots going at a premium,
and where the most substantial buildings
are erected. Waterville, however could
not boast of a public square, but it had
two iron bridges spanning the Thief River.
A large stone grist mill had been built on the side of
the river opposite the town, and on the elevated ground
beyond, it was said the State Agricultural College was to
be built.
It was a favorite pastime with the real estate agents to
sit on the depot platform, and while waiting for the in¬
coming trains, to whittle pine sticks into shavings, telling
of the different manufactories, state institutions, colleges
and asylums, etc., that would be located in the near
future at Waterville.
That evening after Vance had made his purchase of
town lots he strolled away by himself across the great iron
bridge, and gave himself up to meditation. Had he acted
wisely? Would Waterville after all provea "boom town"
and his investment a losing one? Was Homer Winthrop,
56
GJ?A Y ROCKS.
57
with his suave manners and great earnestness, which at
times seemed to carry conviction to the hearts of all who
heard him express himself, the noble specimen of man¬
hood he appeared to be, or were his fascinations merely
the arts of the ordinary skilled western boomer? Would
the managing editor approve his action in purchasing lots
in such a new and undeveloped place as Waterville?
It is a common experience with mankind, that after a
doubtful transaction has been consummated, we can delib¬
erate with far more intentness of thought than before the
trade was made.
A peculiarity of a western town is its plentifulness of
\ Teal estate agents, who seem to travel in
swarms, and find an abiding place in the
town that promises the greatest activity.
After a reaction sets in and hard times
overtake them, this peculiar class usually
pick up their "ink-horns" and fly, as
from a pestilence.
Another peculiarity is, that if a trade
is made with a ' 'tender-foot' ' everyone in
lust a word. thc villagc usually knows of it in a
very few hours.
As Vance was returning from his walk he was met on
the outskirts of the village by a number of this class of
hangers-on, who make their living by selling town lots
on commission. Each one was desirous of saying ' 'just
a word" to Vance in private.
The story of one was practically the story of all. They
advised him to stop and think what he was losing by not
buying more property in Waterville. One particularly
long, lank individual, who wore a sombrero and high^
58
GJRA Y JÍOCICS.
topped boots, assured him that ' 'the opportunity of a life¬
time was at that very minute knocking at his door; it
might never come again." "You might go away from
Waterville, " said he, "and come back here in a few
months' time, and you'll find the town lots I can sell you
to-day for a mere song, going at ten times the price that
you can buy them for now. My name is Steve Gibbons,
and I presume I am doing the biggest real estate business
in Waterville. I sell more lots than any other half dozen
agents in town. You've made a great mistake, Mr. Gil¬
der," said he, "in buying of the Town Company. Of
course, this is confidential, but if you had come to me
instead of buying of Winthrop, I could have saved you
big money."
"What do you mean by 'the company'?" asked Vance.
"Why, you see, the Waterville Town Company own
mighty near all the property in town. That man Win¬
throp is a member of the company. Now, while I have
not as many lots for sale as the Town Company, my
prices beat them all holler. ' '
"Do 3'ou think," asked Vance, "that Mr. Winthrop
charged me too much for my lots?' '
"Think!" said Steve Gibbons, "think?
why, pardner, all the agents in town are
langhin' about it; he took you in."
Vance bit his lips, and mentally con¬
cluded to investigate very thoroughly
before he quit Waterville.
"You see," Gibbons went on, "all us
fellers are down on the Town Company.
We don't like corporations, nohow; they
Steve Gthhom. ¿ou't give US honorable-iuteutioued fel-
GRA V ROCKS.
59
lers a fair chance. We are the men that's buildin' up
this here town—givin' it the bone, and the sinew, and
the standin', so to .speak. Don't you see?"
"Yes," said Vance, "I understand," and begging to
be excused, he turned and walked away from the ' 'hon-
orable-intentioned" Steve Gibbons, and soon after sought
the privacy of his own room in the Ballard House.
Dick Ballard was a Grand Army man, and kept the
only hotel of any importance in Waterville. The only
thing first-class about it was the price for lodging. Imme¬
diately after the average traveler settled his bill at the
Ballard, there was generally a half-distinct impression in
his mind that he had been stopping at a first-class hotel,
but the remembrance of three kinds of méat cooked in the
same kettle was not easily forgotten.
As Vance sat in his room, in anything but a pleasant
frame of mind, there came a gentle knock on his door.
He quickly admitted his visitor, and found it was Dick
Ballard, the proprietor.
"I reckon," said he, as soon as he stepped in, "you'll
be one of us by and by. Bought property already, and a
mighty good buy you've made of it, too. Oh, you know
a good thing when you see it; you bet yer life you do."
"Do you think," said Vance, "the lots I purchased
were reasonable at the price?"
"I should say so; yes, sir, mighty cheap. This here
town is comin' out of the kinks in fine shape. We'll have
a drum corps in our State militia before another year;
you bet we will. I presume you know we have the finest
drilled company at Waterville, outside the regular army,
in the state?"
"I have been told," said Vance, "that I paid too much
GO
GRA y Roœs.
for the property. I am more interested in learning the
truth or untruth of the statement than I am about your
militia company. ' '
' 'Who told you that?' ' asked Ballard, with indignation.
As Vance did not answer, the hotel proprietor went on to
say: "I'll bet it was J. Arthur Boast. Now, look'ee
here, Mr. Gilder, you can't believe everything these fel¬
lers tell you."
The truth of this remark pressed itself on Vance so
GIÍAy ROCKS.
61
forcibly, and his indignation getting the better of him, he
turned upon Dick Ballard and said bitterly;
"Who in thunderation can I believe?"
"You can believe me, sir, and I'll produce prima facie
evidence of everything I say. This town is all right;
your investment is a good one, and the man who says it
is not is surely trying to stick his nose into other people's
business—but, say, hold on a minute," said Ballard, as if
he had forgotten something, ' 'will you take a drink?' ' and
he produced a bottle from his pocket.
"No, thank you," said Vance.
"Well, if you don't mind, I will," said the landlord,
as he proceeded to treat himself to a liberal portion of the
contents of his bottle.
"Now,' said he, as he sat down smacking his lips,
"everything I tell you is prima facie. I know how it is;
some of these fellows have been trying to make you dis¬
satisfied with your purchase. I am not selling town lots.
My business is to run this hotel and see that everybody
has a fair deal,"
"Who is the Town Company?" asked Vance.
"The Town Company, sir, consists of some of the most
remarkable men in this country. They are strong men,
brainy men; they are hustlers; and I," said Ballard, ris¬
ing to his feet, "I am their friend. This man. Homer
Winthrop," he went on, "carries more gray matter about
on his brain than all the shark real estate agents in
Waterville put together. He is one of the company, but
you'll see them all before long; and when you do, I know
you'll agree with me in saying they are the cleanest cut
lot of men on the continent. Winthrop is a great man,
but there are others in the company that are a mighty
62
GRA Y ROCKS.
sight stronger than he is. They are all men of honor,
and their integrity is prima facie." "Prima facie"
seemed to be a favorite expression of Dick Ballard's.
After he had delivered himself in the strongest language
at his command, he treated himself to another drink and
retired.
Vance sat far into the night, looking out at his window
into the mellow moonlight, listening to the ceaseless roar
of the waters and the yelping coyotes in the distance,
which were answered by half a dozen dogs in different
parts of the town. At times he regretted his purchase,
and again he felt it must, in the very nature of things,
increase many times in value in a few years.
The moon came up the eastern sky, and seemed to hang
in space like a ball of fire, beckoning him to return to his
eastern home before disaster overtook him. The three
great Tetons of the mountain range bearing their name
stood out in bold relief, throwing long, menacing shadows
directly towards him. The shimmering of the soft moon¬
beams glistened on the restless waters of the musical
river, whose alluring song of promise and power was
wafted to him on the night wind.
CHAPTER VIII.
AT THE MINE.
HE next morning Vance was
rather late in rising. Soon after
he had taken his seat at the
breakfast table, he was joined by
an individual small in stature but
tastily dressed. His eyes were
restless, and he seemed on the
point of making an observation
several times before he finally did so.
"Very pleasant morning," said he, looking up at
Vance and then hastily glancing at the sunshine that
streamed in at the window.
"Yes, delightful," was Vance's reply. Presently the
stranger observed:
"Sunny days are the rule, cloudy days the exception,
at Waterville. At least that's my experience during a
year's sojourn among the good people of this village."
There was a quaking sound in the fellow's voice that
attracted Vance's attention, because it was different from
others more than because there was anything charming
about it. Vance wondered if this individual was not al:;o
in the real estate business. It seemed as if every one with
whom you come in contact was a real estate agent. He
was on the point of asking him what line of business he
63
64 GRA Y rocks.
was engaged in, when the fellow, looking up from his
plate, said, "Real estate is my line. My office is just
across the street; you can see my sign from the window. "
hooking out at the window, Vance saw a large real
estate sign, with gold letters on a black back-ground,
bearing the name of "J. Arthur Boast."'
"You are Mr. Boast, I presume," said Vance, turning
from the window.
"J. Arthur Boast, at your service."
Half an hour later Vance Gilder was seated in the real
estate ofl&ce of J. Arthur Boast, looking
over his special bargain list; not with a
view of buying, but rather to gain infor¬
mation. Boast talked a great deal, and
in his fawning, insinuating manner, ad¬
vised Vance, without saying so in so
many words, to keep his eyes open when
dealing with the Town Company. After
Vance had carefully scanned his list of
Boast's office. town lots, he was better satisfied than
ever with his purchases.
Taking a bottle from his desk. Boast held it up toward
the sunlight, and asked Vance if he would have some
"red liquor." Vance declined with thanks. Boast
walked back and forth with the bottle in his hand, and in
a quaking voice, meant to be confidential, told Vance
that he had got to quit drinking; that red liquor was get¬
ting an awful hold on him. He seemed to be desirous of
giving the impression that he was a hard drinker.
Finally he poured out some of the contents of the bottle
into a glass, and drank it down at one swallow. After¬
wards he seemed quite wretched and his eyes were filled
GRA V ROCKS.
65
a very superior
I must stop drinking.
with tears. Vance concluded, notwithstanding all he had
said against himself, that J. Arthur Boast was not a
drinking man.
"That liquor is all right," said Boast;
article, but it is a little early in the day
for me to commence. It always half
strangles me in the morning. ' '
As Vance was seeking information
from which he could draw his own con¬
clusions, he gave Boast all the oppor¬
tunities possible to express himself in
regard to Waterville and its people.
The fellow said nothing positive, yet
there was an evil vein of insinuation in
all that he did say, not only in regard
to the Waterville Town Company and every other real
estate agent, but also against everybody in the town gen¬
erally. Vance very much disliked the fellow, and after¬
wards learned that he was universally disliked and
shunned by everyone in Watenrille.
Instead of returning to Butte City with Winthrop that
afternoon, Vance remained in Waterville, and arranged
to take the early stage next morning for Gold Bluff, which
was located some sixty miles northwest of Waterville, in
the Fish River Mining District. He arrived in that
Idaho mining town late the following night, registered at
the Bluff House, and after a late supper retired to his
room for a much needed rest.
The next morning he found, on inquiry, that Ben
Bonifield's mine was located about half a mile from town
upon the mountain side, and he at once started out in
5
66
GHA y ROCKS.
that direction, to see how the work on the shaft, bound
for the 300 foot level, was progressing.
The town of Gold Bluff was cozily nestled in a little
valley, with abrupt mountains towering away to the sky
on either side of it. The mountains were covered with
spruce and pine and mountain poplars up to the snow
line, above which the barren rocks rose majestically
towards the heavens. A refreshing stream meandered its
course through the town, on one side of which were stores
and shops, and on the other residences. Vance noticed
that some of them were of modern architecture and neatly
painted, while others were primitive in the extreme—
relics of early mining days. The town was rather quaint
and picturesque, and made more so by a profusion of
shade trees.
"Good morning," said Vance, as he came up to Ben
Bonifield, who, in miner's costume, was working vigor¬
ously away at the frame-work of the shaft over Gray
Rocks. The old man looked up with an astonished air,
and said:
"Good mawnin', suh." Then, recog¬
nizing his visitor, he threw down his
hammer and gave Vance's hand such a
squeeze in his powerful grasp that it
almost made him cry out with pain.
"Why, suh," cried the old miner, "I
am almost pa'alyzed to see yo', I am
indeed, suh. Mr. Gilder, I welcome yo',
suh, to Gold Bluff and to Gray Rocks, .^imostpa-aiyzed to
Here, suh, are our possessions," waving to see you, sub.
his hand toward the shaft. ' 'Immediately upon m}- re¬
turn from the city, Mr. Gilder, we commenced work in
GIÍA V ROCKS.
67
earnest, suh, and befo' many weeks, I am proud to say,
suh, we will reach the 300 foot level and be ready to
cross-cut into the vein, suh. Yo' don't know," said the
old miner, again taking Vance's hand, "how proud I am
—yes, proud, suh, proud to be honored with a visit from
yo', I vehy much desire that yo' pu'son'lly inspect the
mine; and there is no better time than the present. ' '
Vance entered heartily into the tour of inspection, and
at the old miner's invitation, went down in the bucket,
where the miners were at work. The old gentleman kept
him there until he had explained everything to the
minutest detail, and when Vance at last reached the top
of the shaft he felt he had a far better idea of sinking
shafts on mines than ever before.
"Come," said the old miner, "my Touise will be most
delighted to see yo', suh; she will indeed." Then turn¬
ing, he gave some instruction to his foreman, telling him
he would not return that afternoon; and together the old
gentleman and Vance walked down the mountain side to
the village of Gold Bluff.
The old miner's residence was a modest one, situated
well back from the street, near some huge boulders—a
natural pyramid of rocks, while a beautiful little spring
of water flowed from near its base. There was a very
pretty yard in front, fllled with growing evergreens and
mountain ash.
"I planted these trees myself, suh," said the old miner,
"years ago. They remind me of my old Virginia home.
I was the fust one to set out shade trees in Gold Bluff;
yes, suh, the fust one."
As Vance entered the yard, he paused a moment to
contemplate the beauty and home-like appearance of the
68 GRAY ROCKS.
yard, and Ben Bonifield's home, with its wide porches in
front literally covered with honeysuckles, ivy, and
vining roses.
Vance found Bouise dressed as a mountain maid, in¬
stead of the fashionable young lady who had called on
He forgot time.
him in his New York home. She was not such a woman
as poets rave about, and yet, withal, there was a grace—
a charm—about her, that commanded admiration. Her
hair, in the sunlight, was like one beautiful sheen of gold,
GRA y ROCKS.
69
with little ringlets here and there; her complexion was
pink and white, and when under deep excitement a ruddy
glow would mantle her cheeks. Her nose, while well
formed, neither large nor small, was quite ordinary. Her
mouth was a perfect Cupid's bow, with lips like two red
cherries. As Vance conversed with her that afternoon,
he forgot the hair, forgot the delicately formed, rosy lips,
forgot even the glow of pink which came and went over
her fair cheeks, in looking into her talking eyes—so clear,
so blue, and yet to trustful; even forgot the long brown
lashes that fringed them with gentle protection. Her eyes
were the crowning feature of her expressive face, which
may not have been a beautiful one in the parlance of
fashion, yet it was one that a student of human nature
would term a face of intelligence; and after all, to the
cultured, is there aught more beautiful?
As Vance sat with the old miner and his daughter on
the porch of their cozy dwelling that afternoon, he forgot
time. The sun went down behind the western mountains,
leaving the beauty of an afterglow reflected on the waters
of the mountain brooklet. The moon that was climbing
up over the eastern hills threw its rays aslant through the
clinging roses that grew in profusion about the porch. A
feeling of peace, and possibly a dangerous contentment,
stole into his heart, and he murmured a thanksgiving to
the fates. The unseen, potent force that binds us all,
sooner or later, with a silken cord, was thonging him to
a future destiny.
CHAPTER IX.
THE STAGE DRIVER.
•ROM Gold BluÉF Vance sent to the Banner
one of his strongest descriptive letters.
The inspiration of the new west, with its
gorges, mountains, beautiful valleys and
gurgling .streams abounding with trout,
tinged its every sentence.
His vivacious style, which had won for
him the place he occupied on the Banner,
was reinforced with the new and intoxicating sights of
the picturesque. For two weeks he did little else than
tramp through valleys, following up mountain streams
on fishing jaunts, and felt that he was "roughing it " in
a most delightful fashion. One night, coming in from a
long tramp far up in the mountains, he found a large
bundle of mail awaiting him that had been forwarded
from Butte City. Among his letters was one from the
chief, which read as follows :
Banner Office,
New York City, July
Dear Sir :
Your letters to the Banner, in one sense of the word, are
all and even more than I expected. They are giving excellent
satisfaction. As yet you have expressed no decided opinion in
regard to the desirability of Western investments.
My ideas are to educate our readers against unstable invest¬
ments. Nine out of every ten of the mining shafts in Montana,
70
GRA V ROCKS.
71
in my judgment, have had more" money put into them than ever
has or ever will be taken out. You will also find many Western
towns where they are selling lots at from one to two hundred
dollars each, which, in reality, would be expensive property to
own at the government price of $1.25 per acre. Of course, there
are, perhaps, a few honorable exceptions.
Respectfully,
J. R. S., Chief.
To Vance Giedek, Esq.
When one is seeking an excuse for his convictions,
especially if they are as strong as Vance's had become in
regard to Butte City and Waterville, the one little sent¬
ence, "Of course, there are, perhaps, a few honorable
exceptions," in the chief's letter saves him a great deal
of worry. Vance was too light hearted to be cast down
by the half-criticism of the class of correspondence he was
sending in.
He had an engagement that evening with Louise
Bonifield and her father ; indeed, his was a standing
invitation at the Bonifields', and almost every afternoon
since his arrival at Gold Bluff found him at their mount¬
ain home. As he started from the hotel
he was accosted by a familiar voice :
"Hello, pard ; how d'ye do?" and
Steve Gibbons thrust out his long arm
to shake Vance's hand in western
fashion. He still wore his sombrero
and high-topped boots.
Vance assured Gibbons that he was
delighted to see him.
' ' I knew you would be, ' ' said
see, I have given up the real estate
Turned Stage Driver.
Gibbons. "You
72
GRyl]' ROCKS.
business down at Waterville, and am turned stage driver.
Of course, ever)- man in this 'ere country is lookin' for
promotion. I don't reckon I'm any smarter than other
people, but I've had my eye on this job for several
months; but you can bet your lite them other real estate
agents didn't know nothin' about it. I tell you, pardner,
it's a mighty elevatin' position to drive a six-horse team
through these deep mountain gorges in all kinds of wind
and weather. Had to give a mighty stout bond, too, for
we handle all the express matter, and there's a good deal
of gold dust hauled down from this 'ere camp."
Vance was glad to meet anyone, however slight the
acquaintance had been, and in the course of their conver¬
sation Steve Gibbons confessed to him that he was
" givin' it to him just a leetle " in regard to the town lots
which V ance had purchased of the Town Company.
"You see," said he, " the facts are, the Town Com¬
pany of Waterville has made that 'ere town, and are still
makin' it. It's a mighty pert place, and is growin'
perter all the time. ' '
Vance mentally wondered if all the "honest inten-
tioned " fellows of Waterville would talk in the same way
about the Town Company if they were occupying, posi¬
tions where their interests were no longer adverse to the
Company's.
" Then you don't think I paid too much for my lots ? "
asked Vance, looking up with a quizzical expression.
" No," said Steve Gibbons, "them lots are all right,
pardner, and will make you a barrel if you hold on to
'em. They sold 'em to you cheap enough. That was
just a leetle competition talk I was givin' you that night
down at Waterville. Business is business, you know,
G2?A V ROCKS.
73
when you are sellin' town lots, and a man has got to talk
for hisself. I really did want to sell you some lots, that's
a fact, 'cause I wanted to rake in the commission ; but it's
all over with now. I have throwed up the whole darned
business of sellin' lots since I was promoted. Old Dick
Ballard," said he, "is jest as prima facie as ever, and
says his company is the finest drilled militia in the state.
By the way," he continued, "the Town Company has
had a meetin', and the people are feelin' mighty good
jess now."
' ' How's that ? ' ' asked Vance.
' ' Oh, ' ' replied Gibbons, ' ' about once a month the
Town Company have a meetin', and pass resolutions,
declar' dividends and get up a new prospectus of differ¬
ent manufacturin' enterprises that's goin' to be built
thar ; also, of colleges and state institutions that will be
located at Waterville this comin' year, and that always
makes the people feel high-spirited for the next week or
ten days, anyhow. Most of the people go on a spree
after one o' them encouragin' meetin's."
" I presume," said Vance, " that Homer Winthrop is
one of the leading spirits of the Company. ' '
' ' He is one of the Company, ' ' said Gibbons, as he filled
his pipe and lit it, ' ' but he lacks a good deal, I can tell
you, of bein' the biggest toad in the puddle. There's
old Colonel Alexander, he's the fellow that lays out the
plans on a gigantic scale. Then there's General Ira
House. I 'spect he has the biggest reputation of any
town boomer on the western half of the continent—I
allow as what he has. And when you're talkin' about
smart ones, you don't want to forget B. Webster Degal ;
he's the corporation attorney, and you can bet your last
74
C.RA ROCKS.
half dollar the company will never run agin' any shoals
as long as he stands at the wheel and writes up contracts.
Oh, he's a hummer, and no mistake."
"It's reported down thar' that half a dozen different
railroad companies are tryin' mighty hard to get him for
their attorney, but he says, ' Not much ; I have cast my
fortune with my friends and with Waterville, and I'll
stick by the enterprise as long as a town lotean be sold.' "
"The Town Company is mighty cute," he went on.
" They never have any law suits, 'cause their contracts
are drawn up with knots tied knee deep all over the fellow
they're dealin' with."
It is probable that Steve Gibbons would have gone on
indefinitely had not Vance begged to be excused, plead¬
ing a previous engagement. They bade each other good
night. Gibbons starting for the stables to look after his
horses, and Vance walked leisurely along toward the
Bonifield's home.
That afternoon lyouise had accepted
his invitation to go on a fishing jaunt
some day during the week to a place
called Silver Point Take, some two miles
away. Her simplicity of manner and
frankness, though possessing, withal, a
demure humor, which was one of her
charming characteristics, had greatly
fa.scinated him.
They were standing on the cottage
porch in the soft summer twilight, while a mountain
breeze was tossing the ringlets of Louise's hair about, as
if coquetting with them. Vance was studying her face
while she was looking far away toward the western
GRA V HOCKS.
75
mountains, where the sun had left a l eddened glow on the
sky, which, he said, was a promise of fair weather for the
fishing excursion the next day. Presently, a creaky
voice commenced calling :
" Ivouise ! houise ! where is your par?" and before
Vance's fair companion could explain, a woman well
advanced in years came out on the porch, and seemed
surprised at seeing Vance, and e3red him critically.
" Aunt Sally," said houise, "this is Mr. Gilder, papa's
friend. Mr. Gilder, this is ray Aunt Sally, father's sister."
Aunt Sally acknowledged the introduction with a
stately bow. Her apparel was of the fashion of a quarter
of a century ago.
" Am very glad to see you, suh," she said, addressing
Vance. "I understand you are interested with my
brother in his mine. I can give you, Mr. Gilder, some
very excellent advice ; I can, indeed, suh, but I will
defer it until some other time," Then turning to Touise,
she said, ' ' Do you know where your par's gone ? ' '
" I do not," replied Douise, sweetly, " I think he will
be here in a few moments."
"I just allow he's grub-stakin' some of them pesky
prospectin' miners again," cried Aunt Sally. "Mr.
Gilder, ' ' she continued, ' ' I have to watch over my
brother very closely, I do, indeed, suh. He's been
plantin' money all over these mountains for many years,
but there's no crop ever been harvested. I allow I'll give
him a piece of my mind when he comes home." Saying
this, she turned and disappeared into the house. Douise
was evidently confused, and regretted her aunt's words,
while Vance was at a loss to understand the import of the
spinster's remarks.
76
GR A Y ROCKS.
"I am very sorry, Mr. Gilder," said Louise—and lie
noticed she was trembling like a frightened bird—" sorry
that Aunt Sally should so far forget herself as to speak so
before a stranger. ' '
"I am goin' to give him a piece of my mind."
Vance declared there was no reason for being disturbed,
but Louise was not wholly reassured by his words. " I
know papa will be very angr}' with Aunt Sally."
' ' There surely is no cause for that, ' ' replied Vance.
GRA y ROCRS.
77
"You see," said Louise, "mamma died when Virginia
and I were little girls, and Aunt Sally has been a mother
to us. Ever since papa commenced work on Gray Rocks
.she has continually opposed him. She says he will never
find a dollar's worth of gold if he sinks his shaft a thous¬
and feet. I sometimes think she has influenced sister
Virgie. Sister is away from home now, teaching school
at AVaterville. I do not know whether papa is wrong or
not, but if he is, then I am also, for I believe with all my
heart that some time papa will find the wealth he has so
persistently labored for so many years. And I sincerely
hope," she continued, laying her hand on Vance's arm
and looking pleadingly up into his face, " that you will
not be influenced by anything that Aunt Sally may have
said, will you?"
Vance was only human ; he could not withstand such
an appeal, If doubts had ever come to him, the trembling
girl at his side, by her looks and words, had put them to
flight. "No," he replied, "my faith is as firm as the
rocks in your father's mine."
CHAPTER X.
property has gone up.
M MEDIATELY after breakfast the
following morning, Vance was waited
upon by Col. Bonifield. The old
miner bore a troubled expression on
his face. Vance invited him to his
room.
' ' Mr. Gilder, ' ' said the old miner,
as he raised himself to his fuE height,
and with the dignity of a general addressed Vance: " I
assure yo', suh, I am greatly pained at the uncalled fo'
remarks which my sister made in yo'r presence last
evening; I am indeed, suh."
" I assure you," replied Vance, " there is no occasion
to refer to the matter at all. I assured your daughter,
and I now assure you, that I have every confidence in the
mine, and will continue to have until you yourself have
sufficient reason to shake your faiih. I certainly cannot
say more, and under the circumstances could not say less. "
"Mr. Gilder," said the old miner, " yo', suh, are a
vehy honorable gentleman, and I am vehy proud of my
partnership with yo'; I am indeed, suh. In regard to my
sister—in her younger days, I assure yo', she was one of
the most rema'kable women of Virginia; yes, suh, a vehy
rema'kable woman. She certainly has been a true sister
to me, suh, and a faithful mother to my daughters, butin
78
GRA V ROCKS.
79
some way she disbelieves in Gray Rocks, and would yo'
believe it, suh, she has gone so far at times as to intimate
that I am crazy as a March hare in regard to eveh 'strik-
in' it rich' on our minin' property; yes, suh, she certainly
has said some véhy bitter things against Gray Rocks, but
fo' all that, she is a vehy rema'kable woman, even to this
day. Yes, suh, quite rema'kable."
" I now have a matter, Mr. Gilder," he continued, " of
vehy great importance to discuss with yo." Vance
offered the old miner a cigar, which he accepted, and soon
they were discussing the "important
matter," which of course referred to
Gray Rocks.
"We are not far away, Mr. Gilder,
from the 300 foot level. Our machin- |
ery and pumps, suh, have been workin*
rema'kably well. Two weeks mo' and
our shaft will be finished; yes, suh, fin¬
ished. Then we will cross-cut, and my
opinion is, it will be well fo' yo' to re¬
main in Gold Bluff and be ready to send in yo'r resigna¬
tion as cor'spondent of that New York paper; yes, suh,
that is my advice. It is only proper, suh, that yo' should
enjoy the riches that await yo'."
"But supposing. Col. Bonifield," said Vance, "sup¬
posing that you do not find any pay ore when you cross¬
cut into the vein, as you say; in that event, I suppose you
agree with me that it would be a pretty good idea for me
to hold my position on the ^anner?'^
"Of cou'se, suh," replied the old miner, "but there is
but one chance in ten thousand that we won't strike it. I
admit of this one chance against us, suh, fo' the sake of
so
O AV; ]' JWCKS.
argument alone. Mr. Grim i.s now takin' out of the Pea¬
cock some of the richest ore I eveh saw in my life, he is
indeed, suh—and his mine joins ours, as yo' know,
directly on the nawth."
Vance u as silent for a few moments, and then said :
"In the event. Col. Bonifield, we do not strike it; what
then? Will you be discouraged?"
" No, suh; if we fail at the 300 foot level, suh, and yo'
can furnish the money, wè will start the next mornin' fo'
the 400 foot level; but I assure yo', suh, I have no idea
yo'll have to furnish any mo' money. Gray Rocks is a
sure winner; it is indeed, suh. The oldest miners in the
camp say that if we stick to Gray Rocks it will be worth
mo' in five years than Rufus Grim's Peacock mine.
When I was yo'r age, Mr. Gilder," he continued, blow¬
ing a cloud of smoke away out of the window toward
Gray Rocks, ' ' I could not have stuck to that property
year after year as I have been doin'. Why, suh, it took
a quarter of a century's experience fo' me to leam that 'a
rollin' stone gathers no moss' ; it did indeed, suh. Now
I have observed the fellows that strike it, in nine cases
out of ten, are the ones who follow up and hold on after
they once strike a trail. Why, suh, if j^o' had seen the
float rock that I found befo' stakin' out Gray Rocks, yo'
would know why I believe there is an entire hill full of
wealth over yondeh."
While they were talking there came a gentle rap on the
door. Vance'called out for them to "come in.'' The
door opened, and a boy sidled into the room with a letter
in his'hand and asked for Col. Bonifield.
"At yo'r service, suh," said the old miner' rising with
much dignity. "Thank yo', suh," said he, taking the
GRA V ROCKS.
81
letter. The boy took himself off, closing the door behind
him, while the colonel, adjusting his glasses, read aloud
the address, " Miss l/ouise Bonifield."
Dropping his glasses from his eyes, he placed the letter
in his pocket and said: "Mr. Boast has evidently re¬
turned to Gold Bluff. ' '
" Mr. Boast, did you say?" asked Vance.
"Yes, suh, Mr. Boast—a young man in whom I have
only the slightest confidence. His full name is J. Arthur
Boast. His father. Colonel Boast, lives on a ranch about
three miles from here."
Vance could never explain why, but the unfavorable
opinion he had formed of J. Arthur Boast while at Water-
ville was in the twinkling of an eye changed to hatred.
Soon after. Colonel Bonifield took his departure, and
Vance commenced preparing for his next day's fishing
jaunt. His door had been left ajar, and presently he
heard a squeaky, ill-omened voice that he well remem¬
bered.
' ' How do you do, Mr. Gilder?' '
Vance turned and saw J. Arthur Boast standing at his
door. "How do you do," said Vance, rather abruptly.
' ' I did not expect to find you at Gold Bluff, "' said Boast
in an insinuating tone of voice.
"Why not?" said Vance, without deigning to look up.
" Oh, you eastern fellows, and newspaper men in par¬
ticular, never stay very long in one place. So you've met
my old mining friend. Colonel Bonifield?"
"Yes," replied Vance.
' ' I presume you've met his daughter, Miss Douise?' ' As
he made this remark he looked out of the corners of his
restless eyes in a manner that was intended to be cunning.
6
82 GR A Y ROCKS.
Vance was full of resentment, and dared not trust him¬
self to make immediate reply. Presently Boást continued :
"They are old friends of mine; a most respectable
family. I used to live in Gold Bluff; may live here
Vanct turned and saw J. ^Arthur Boast»
again. One can't say what may happen, you know."
"I thought," said Vance, "you were in love with
Waterville. "
" One's in love where one's possessions are, don't
you see?"
Vance did not reply to the question, but busied himself
GRA V ROCKS.
83
with his fishing tackle. Presently Boast took a bottle
from his pocket, and said :
" Will you have a drink of red liquor?"
Vance replied in the negative.
" Well, I suppose," said Boast, " I ought not to drink
so much. The truth is, I am a pretty devilish hard citi¬
zen. I am drinking entirely too much of the stuff, but
no one takes interest enough in me to tell me so; yet I
know I'm going to the bad. The habit is formed and
what is a fellow going to do about it?' '
He waited some time for a reply, but as Vance made
none, he proceeded to pour out a small portion of the
contents of the bottle into a glass, and then added some
water to it and stood looking out of the window.
"Won't you be seated?" asked Vance.
' ' Thank you, I believe I will, ' ' replied Boast, and sat
down with the glass of liquor in his hand, and said noth¬
ing for several minutes. He acted as if he dreaded the
ordeal of swallowing the portion, but felt it would not do
to set it aside after all he had said in regard to being a
hard drinker. Finally he gulped it down at a single
swallow, and then drank a great quantity of water imme¬
diately afterward. He strangled considerably and his
eyes became very red, and evidently was glad the trial
was over. Presently he said :
' ' Mr. Gilder, there are things going to happen down
at Waterville in the next ninety days that will surprise
everyone. Some very large manufacturing enterprises
will soon be located there."
" That certainly is very welcome news," replied Vance,
"as a property owner in the new city, I am naturally
interested in its development."
84
GJ?A V ROCKS.
" Property has gone up ten per cent since you were
there."
" Is that so?" said Vance, looking up in some surprise.
" Of course," Boast continued, " I am selling my spe¬
cial bargain list at the same old prices, but the Company
and other real estate agents who have desk room here and
there over the town, are trying very hard to inflate prices.
I am holding them level, however, and intend to keep on
doing so. I don't propose having Waterville killed by a
lot of town boomers, who are trying to get prices away
above intrinsic values. ' '
" It is very fortunate," replied Vance, " that Waterville
has such a conservative citizen as yourself."
" It's very complimentary for you to say so, I am sure,''
replied Boast. ' ' Of course, Mr. Gilder, I would not say
anything detrimental about anyone."
"Certainly not," replied Vance. The tenor of his con¬
versation was decidedly wicked in its insinuations; indeed,
one to hear him talk would naturally think the destiny of
Waterville rested entirely with J. Arthur Boast. Pres¬
ently, in a high, creaking voice, he said :
' ' How do you like Miss Bouise?' '
" Miss lyouise?" repeated Vance, with a perplexed look
on his face.
" Yes, Miss Bouise Bonifield. How do you like her?
Pretty fair specimen for the west, ain't she?"
" My likes and dislikes," said Vance, " are hardly to
be taken into consideration. One seldom forms an opin¬
ion until he is acquainted. Of course, there are excep¬
tions to the-rule. I have known people for a very short
time, and yet instinctively taken a great dislike to them.
Miss Bonifield," continued Vance, without looking up.
GÄA V ROCKS.
85
' ' has the appearance of a lady of refinement and culture,
but as my observations have been limited, I can hardly
say more than that I am well pleased with both the young
lady and her father." At this Vance prepared to leave
the room.
"You'd better drink with'me," said
Boast, taking up his bottle again. ' ' I
am liable to drink every drop of this
liquor before I let up, and you'd only be
doing me a kindness by dividing it up
with me a little. ' '
"No, thank you," replied Vance.
"Very well," said Boast. "I shall
remain in Gold Bluff several days, and
hope to see you often.' '
Vance closed the door .after Boast had left his room, and
the one word, " Scoundrel!" hissed through his teeth.
CHAPTER XI.
OWNER OF THE PEACOCK. MINE.
'he next morning Vance was up at an early-
hour for a morning walk. He followed
the winding road up the hill-side toward
Gray Rocks. The air was fresh and
invigorating ; the sun was just rising
over the eastern mountains. Robins and
mountain thrushes were twittering gaily
their morning songs. He mentally com¬
pared the stifled life so prevalent in the
great cities to the healthful and exhilarating prospect
about him.
A shadow flitted across his mind. It was J. Arthur
Boast's inquiry in regard to Eouise Bonifield. ' ' But why
should I be so ready to come to her rescue ? What right
have I to be her champion ? They may be old acquaint¬
ances, but they certainly are not friends. She is too
noble a character to form an alliance of friendship with-
such an individual as Boast. He is critical, cold, calcu¬
lating, and, I believe, unprincipled."
Walking on in an aimless way, he followed a path
that led by Gray Rocks on toward the Peacock. Pres¬
ently he saw a well-dressed man in middle life walking
toward him. There was an unmistakable look of good
living and prosperity—a general air of superiority about
him. His round, fat face was smooth shaven, except a
86
GJiA V ROCKS.
87
bristly dark moustache. His nose was large and obtru¬
sive. In his shirt front glistened a diamond of great
value, while its counterpart reflected the morning sun
from a massive ring on one of his fat, short fingers.
" Good morning," said he.
*.'You*rc the young man from New Yorh, I reckon,*' said Grim,
Vance returned the salutation, and presently the pom¬
pous stranger introduced himself as Rufus Grim, owner
of the Peacock.
"Yes, I have heard of you," replied Vance.
88
G RA V ROCAS.
" You're the young man from New York, I reckon,''
said Grim.
" New York is my home."
"Yes, I have heard about you. I rather expected you
over to see me. I assure you, Mr. Gilder," he went on,
' 'it would afford me great pleasure to show you through
the Peacock. She is a fine piece of property, I can tell
you ; none better. If you'll walk down this way a little
we can see the old prospect shaft where the precious
metal of the Peacock was first discovered. ' '
Vance readily consented, and presently they came to an
old, open shaft near the brow of the mountain overlook¬
ing the village of Gold Bluff and the valley below.
"Here," said Rufus Grim, with a wave of his fat
hand, ' ' is where I commenced prospecting fifteen years
ago. I was one of the pioneers in this mining camp.
Sometimes I did not know where the next meal was
coming from, but I worked on, day after day ; first for
wages, and then for an interest in what, at the time, was
looked upon as a labor and money losing investment. I
stuck to it ; the other fellows didn't. Finally I bought
out the other fellows, and if you have heard very much
about the history of Gold Bluff and the prosperity of her
mines, of course you have heard about me. In fact, ' he
said, with vulgar braggadocio, " the history of the
Peacock and my own are so interwoven that you couldn't
very well hear of one and not know all about the other."
"Yes," replied Vance, "I have heard a great deal of
you, Mr. Grim, and am delighted to have the pleasure of
knowing you personally. ' '
"Yes, I presume," said Grim, as he looked away
toward the valley that nestled beneath their feet, ' ' I
G/ÍA V TÍOCA-S.
80
presume you've heard a great deal about Rufus Grim
that is not true, and precious little to mj' credit. Ï have
not a doubt but what the busy-bodies of Gold Bluff have
told you that old, worn-out story about Steve Gibbons
and Hank Casey, and how unjustly I treated them ; but
I can tell you," he continued with warmth, " there's not
a word of truth in all that you may have heard. No, sir,
I have climbed the ladder step by step and built up my
own fortune, and whatever I am to-day, I have nobody
to thank but myself."
"I assure you," said Vance, "I have heard nothing
particularly to your discredit. In fact, I have heard next
to nothing at all, except that you were the owner of the
Peacock, and that it is a paying property. ' '
Rufus Grim looked at Vance at first as if he doubted
him, and then expressed his surprise that no one had told
him what" a mean man he was. " If you get acquainted
with that young scoundrel. Boast, he'll tell you quick
enough—a miserable story ; how I cheated Casey and
Gibbons out of their share of the mine ; but I say it's
false," he continued, as he brought his fat hands down
together, ' ' not a word of truth in any of their statements.
No, sir. You see," he went on, turning to the old pros¬
pect shaft, ' ' I have put a wall around this so that it may
be preserved. It gratifies me to come here occasionally
and think over the hard times of my prospecting life and
the change that has come. It came, sir, because I made
it come. Yonder is my home," said he, waving his hand
toward an elegant residence located in the suburbs of the
village, with beautiful grounds about it. " If there is
any better in the Fish River mining district, I don't
know it."
90
GJ?A y ROCKS.
"You're home," said Vance, "is certainly a lovely
looking place."
"You are at liberty," said Grim "to come and see me
whenever you desire. I can't promise you more than
this, that you will be welcome." Grim made this last
remark as if he was bestowing a great favor upon a
stranger within the gates of Gold Bluff ; indeed, one
might have imagined him L,ord Mayor of some munici¬
pality granting the freedom of the city to some favored
guest.
Vance thanked him for the invitation. With a stately
bow to Vance, Grim turned and walked toward the works
on the Peacock, and Vance returned to the hotel refreshed
from his walk, and interested in the fragments of the
story he had heard from the owner of the Peacock.
At the appointed hour he called for houise, and,
together, they walked briskly toward Silver Point hake.
lyouise was all animation and life, and
thought nothing of the two miles' walk
which lay before them. Indeed, she
had followed these mountain paths
from her early childhood, and felt less
fatigue after a tramp of a half-dozen
miles than many a city belle after
walking a half-dozen blocks.
It might be well to explain that
Louise's mother was a lady of great
culture and refinement, and belonged
to one of the oldest families of Baltimore. She died when
Louise was only four years old. A spinster sister of
Colonel Bonifield tried to persuade her brother to give up
his daughters while he was leading a life in the mouii-
Dance and Louise.
■GRAY ROCKS.
91
tains, and let them be reared to womanhood at the old
Bonifield home in Virginia, but Ben Bonifield could not
do this. The loss of his wife was a severe blow, and to
part with his daughters, Virginia and Louise, could not
be thought of. Therefore, Aunt Sally had accepted her
brother's invitation to make her home in the mountains,
and take upon herself the care and training of her
brother's children.
Aunt Sally was a lady in the olden time possessed of
uncommon gifts and a finished education, not only in
classical literature, but also in music and painting.
Louise had proven a more apt scholar than her elder
sister, Virginia. Aunt Sally had been a most painstaking-
instructress, and her wards had grown up with minds
enriched and cultured, while their physical development
was in keeping with the wild freedom of a health-sustain¬
ing mountain country.
In her later years, however. Aunt Sally had become
greatly dissatisfied with her brother and his attachment
for Gray Rocks, and she had developed a querulous dis¬
position, which, at times, was very annoying to Ben
Bonifield. She lost no opportunity to express her opinion
that ' ' he was fooling his time away ' ' while working on
Gray Rocks.
As Vance and Louise walked along that morning
toward Silver Point Lake, he could not help glancing at
the ruddy glow on the fair cheeks of his companion. He
listened to her childish talk of the many excursions which
she had made with her father far over some of the tallest
mountains that lay before them, and of numerous "fish
frys " they had enjoyed at Silver Point Lake.
While he listened to the sweet music of her voice, he
92
GRA V ROCKS.
mentally speculated as to what sort of a friendship, if any,
could possibly exist between such a fair creature and J.
Arthur Boast. Presently, looking up at Vance with her
large blue eyes, she said ;
" We may have company at the lake. "
"Why, how is that?" inquired Vance in some sur¬
prise."
"I received a note," replied Louise, "from Bertha
Allen, inviting me to go horseback riding to-day. In
my reply I explained my previous engagement with you.
Just before starting this morning I received a note from
her saying that she and her cousin, Arthur Boast, would
try to join our fishing party. Of course, " she said, with
a sweet little laugh, ' ' you do not know who Bertha Allen
is. Bertha ^llen," she went on, "is Mr. Rufus Grim's
step-daughter. Mr. Grim married Mrs. Allen when
Bertha was a girl in her early teens. Mrs. Allen is
Colonel Boast's sister, and Bertha and Arthur are, there¬
fore, cousins. ''
Vance did not fancy the prospect of meeting Boast, and
felt that his happiness for the day would certainly be very
incomplete if Boast was to be one of the fishing party.
" I have met Mr. Boast," said Vance, with just a tinge
of resentment in his voice.
' ' I hope you like him, " said Louise, as she turned her
lovely face toward him with a pleading look in her eyes.
' ' May I ask you why you hope so ? ' " asked Vance, in
almost a defiant tone.
There was no maidenly blush on Louise's cheeks as she
replied with the simplicity of a child :
"Why, Mr. Gilder, there is hardly anybody that likes
Arthur, and I sometimes feel sorry for him. Mr. Grim
GJÍAy ROCKS.
93
says very hard things about him, and no one seems to be
his friend. ' '
" Perhaps he is unworthy," replied Vance.
For a moment I/Ouise was silent, and then said ;
"The judgment of the world, Mr. Gilder, is often at
fault. We may judge with a degree of accuracy art,
music, fame, or power, but it is hardly wise to apply the
same rule to a human being. ' '
CHAPTER XII.
TROUT FISHING.
RRIVING at the lake by a circuitous path,
they found themselves on the banks of a
lovely sheet of water, several hundred
feet wide and perhaps a mile in length.
The distinct reflection of the foliage, trees
and mountains, which rose several hun¬
dred feet on the opposite side, made a
double picture of enchanting loveliness.
"We have been waiting for you," said Bertha Allen,
in a flute-like voice. She was a cooing sort of a young
lady, with a dainty lisp, which she evidently regarded as
becoming. She embraced Eouise and gave her one of her
sweetest kisses, and in a half sotto voice lisped, "how
beautiful you look to-day!"
Vance was presented, and Bertha honored him with one
of her stateliest bows. There was no alternative, as Boast
extended his hand and observed that he had met Mr.
Gilder before, but to accept the situation and make the
best of it.
Vance saw in Bertha Allen a young lady of about fi^'e
and twenty, rather tall and slender, with a wasp-like
waist. She had a small head and face, with heavy braids
of dark brown hair, which corresponded with her long
eye-lashes of a dark hue. Her eyes never looked straight
at anyone, but she continually practiced a bewitching
habit of shy observation, evidently considering it fasci-
94
GJÍAV ROCKS.
95
nating. Her mouth was small, and a noticeable dimple
was in her ehin. There was a delicate pink upon her
cheeks, which Vance noticed as the day wore on, did not
come and go, but remained as one of her permanent
features. There was a poetry in her movements, how¬
ever, which admirably fitted her slow, soft tone of lisping
speech. Her slender form was robed in a pretty costume
of pink, with black lace and ribbons. It was a costume
of frills and laces, coquetishly arranged, making her
graceful figure more symmetrical in arrangement. There
were pufiings here and there, which concealed defects, if
any existed, and revealed her womanly charms to the
best advantage. She talked a good deal, and called
Louise her own "dear darling." Here every sentence
was a lisp, and she told Cousin Arthur he was "simply
horrid to kill the poor worms in baiting the hooks. ' '
Vance noticed that Boast was ready at any time to neg¬
lect his stylish cousin to engage in conversation with
Louise. He found himself interpreting Bertha Allen's
attempts to entertain and interest him, as the act of an
accomplice, to enable Boast to have a tete-a-tete with
Louise. There was consolation, however, in the fact that
he did not believe Louise favored Arthur Boast's atten¬
tions.
" How Arthur and Louise are enjoying themselves! "
lisped Bertha Allen, in a sweet, confiding way, to Vance.
" Do you think their enjoyment is superior to ours?"
asked Vance.
"No more than mine," she replied demurely, "but
possibly more than yours." This was followed by a sil¬
very little laugh.
" I fear I am not very entertaining," said Vance.
96 GRA y ROCR-S.
"On the contrary, Mr. Gilder," replied Bertha, "I
think you are a very charming companion. Are you
from Virginia?" she asked.
"No; my people were from Virginia. I was born and
reared in New York City."
Don't you think / am horrid to go on talking this way to you?
' ' The Bonifields are Virginians. They seem to think, "
continued Bertha, ' ' that all good people come from Vir¬
ginia or Baltimore. I sometimes wish I had been bom in
Virginia.''
GRA V ROCKS.
97
" I never noticed that peculiarity," replied Vance, " in
either Colonel Bonifield or his daughter."
"Oh, I don't mean,'Mr. Gilder, they are affected.
Don't you think I am horrid to go on talking this way to
you? But really, is not Douise one of the sweetest little
darlings in the world?"
Vance was bored, but turning toward Bertha Allen and
smiling at her pretty up-turned face, replied :
"You ask me so many questions. Miss Allen, that I do
not know which to answer first."
She looked archly at Vance, and said: "Do not
answer either of them, for I know I would be dissatisfied
with your reply. Is not that a beautiful botanical speci¬
men? Really, Mr. Gilder," she continued, " I sometimes
do not know what I am saying. I know you will think
me awfully stupid. ' '
The well modulated and lisping voice of Bertha Allen
possessed a charm of its own, and Vance found himself
interested in studying the difference between the sweet,
simple, unaffected Douise, and the affected, calculating
Miss Allen.
' ' Don't you think, Mr. Gilder, that Douise has great
individuality?"
"I believe her to be a most exeöiplary young lady,"
replied Vance, "and pos.sessed of a good mind."
" Oh, you think that, do you?" said Bertha, lisping and
laughing like the silvery tones of a fiute. "You are not
the only one, Mr. Gilder, that thinks that way. I mean
Cousin Arthur. Oh, he's awfully smitten."
"Indeed!" replied Vance.
"What a beautiful picture," said Bertha presently.
' ' The waters mirror the trees and the mountains so
7
98
GRA y ROGAIS.
distinctly. Let us look over the bank at our own
reflections."
" Permit me to hold your hand," said Vance, "and I
will prevent your falling. There—can you see yourself?"
" Oh, just splendidly!" lisped Bertha. "It is clear as
a French plate mirror. Shall I support you, Mr. Gilder,
while you look ?"
"No, thank you," replied Vance, "I am not fond of
looking at homeliness. I would rather look at you."
"Oh, Mr. Gilder, you men are such flatterers! I
thought better things of you."
"And why of me?" asked Vance, teasingly.
' ' Louise has spoken of you so many times, " she replied,
" and in such flattering terms, that I was very anxious to
meet you. Indeed, I had quite made up my mind that
you were different from other men. Let us turn down
this way, Mr. Gilder. Let me see—what was I saying?
I thought you must be different; but I guess men are all
about alike."
' ' I feel highly honored, " replied Vance, ' ' to think that
Miss Bonifield should have spoken of me at all. ' '
Bertha stopped and looked at Vance for a moment in
silence, and then said:
" Men are so conceited. There is no sentiment, I
assure you, in Louise."
"Your frankness is quite charming. Miss AUen."
" Oh, do you think so?" said Bertha, with a sweet lisp.
"Yes; and as to Miss Bonifield, I beg to differ from
you. She certainly possesses in a high degree that senti¬
ment peculiar to the children of nature. She loves all
that is natural, and in the tenderness of her heart, pities
the assumed."
North wjat-ji I
University
Library
GßA Y ROCKS. 99
' ' How unfortunate, Mr. Gilder, said Bertha, ' ' that
love is not reciprocal."
Before Vance could reply, Bouise called to them and
soon after she and Boast came up, declaring the day had
been a great success. Arthur and Vance divided the
catch equally, and soon with their baskets swinging from
their shoulders, they started for home. Bertha was pro¬
fuse in her invitations to Mr. Gilder to call, and he prom¬
ised to do so. He was quite glad, however, when they
finally separated and he had Boqise all to himself.
"I hope you have enjoyed the day as much as you
anticipated, Mr. Gilder," said Bouise.
" If I am anything," replied Vance, " I am frank; and
therefore confess I would have enjoyed it far more with¬
out Boast and his pretty cousin."
"I knew you would think her pretty," said Bouise;
' ' everyone does. ' '
"And do you think she is pretty?" asked Vance.
"Yes, indeed," replied Bouise, " I have seen no one,
even in your great city of New York, half so handsome
as Bertha."
"You are certainly generous in your compliments,"
said Vance.
' ' Bertha has such a sweet way about her, and she
always makes one feel so at his ease. ' '
Before Vance had time to reply. Colonel Bonifield waved
his pipe and blew out a cloud of smoke as an act of wel¬
come to the returning fishermen. Vance displayed his long
string of speckled beauties, and the Colonel assured him
they had made a great success. " I have been thinkin'
of yo' all day," he continued, ' ' and had half a mind, upon
my honor I did, suh, to come oveh and help yo' out."
100
G/?A V HOCÁTS.
Soon after, Vance took leave of the Bonifields, and
started for the hotel. His respect for generous-hearted
Louise was increasing. "Yes," said Vance to himself,
' ' she is a child of nature. She does not know how to
dissemble, and her heart is too pure to be resentful. " His
pleasant reverie was broken by encountering Boast at the
hotel, who had arrived a little before him.
His shoes had been exchanged for polished ones, yet
he complained about his negligee appearance, and stooped
to brush the least speck of dust or cigar ashes that might
have found lodgment on his trousers or
coat sleeves, and kept assuring Vance that
he knew he ' ' looked rougher than a miner. "
As a matter of fact, he was spotlessly at-
attired, as was his custom. Even in his
ofi&ce at Waterville, he seemed backward
about doing any business, for fear of soiling
his hands in ink, or getting his desk out of
order. Stepping into the bar-room of the
The immaculate ^ t t r ^
'Boast. hotel, they tound seats near an open door,
and Vance determined to gain as much information as he
could from what Boast might have to say. As they
seated themselves, Vance said :
"I met Mr. Grim this morning."
"Oh, did you?" replied Boast. "There is a man," he
continued, " that ought to be hung. He's a robber!"
" A robber?" asked Vance.
"Yes. Fifteen years ago," continued Boast, "my
father was the richest man in this part of Idaho. He was
engaged then as now in the cattle and horse ranching
business. He owns a very large ranch three miles from
here down the valley. Grim came to the mining camp
GJ?A V JÍOCJ^S.
101
without a dollar in his pocket and worked by the day.
An opportunity presented itself for him to steal from his
associates. He not only stole everything in sight, but by
fraud and misrepresentation secured possession of the
Peacock. He is an ignorant old boor.
Ten years ago he married my aunt, the
widow Allen^ who is fully fifteen years
his senior. He wanted a position in
society and a home. My aunt is a
stickler on all that's polite, but notwith¬
standing her training and all of old
Grim's wealth, she has been unable to
gild him over with even an appearance
of culture, learning or decency. I never
call at his house. They own perhaps the finest residence
in the state of Idaho. If you will talk with Rufus Grim
half an hour, it will be a wonder if he does not tell you
that I am the biggest scoundrel outside the penitentiary ;
and it is all because my cousin Bertha is my friend.
Sometimes 1 think he is afraid I will marry her. I believe
he is in love with Bertha himself, and is only waiting for
my aunt to die. It may be unwise for me to talk so
plainly, Mr. Gilder, but when I think of that old repro¬
bate, I become desperate. ' '
There was certainly no half insinuation in this state¬
ment, but rather a fiendish denunciation of the rich miner.
"I think," said Boast, " we'd better have something to
drink. I have a bottle in my pocket, but you are not
very sociable, and I don't presume you will drink with
me."
" No," said Vance, " I am just as much obliged, but I
do not feel the need of any stimulant this evening. "
102
GJÎA V ROCKS.
" I have abstained all day, "said Boast, " out of respect
for the ladies." His voice began to sound piping, and
his restless eyes no longer looked squarely at Vance, but
confined themselves to side-long glances, as if he were
trying to discover what his feelings were toward his cousin
and Miss Louise.
"They are pretty fair specimens, eh, for the moun¬
tains? The ladies, I mean; the ladies."
Vance answered in the affirmative.
" My cousin is terribly taken with you, Mr. Gilder; if
she was not my cousin I would feel jealous of you." As
Vance made no reply. Boast continued: " I know I am
going down hill at a pretty rapid rate, all on account of
this red liquor." Tipping up the bottle, he took a swal¬
low, coughed immoderately afterward, and made wry
faces, as if he were mentally damning all the "red
liq-uor' ' to perdition.
' ' There's only one thing that will ever save Bertha
Allen, and that is for old Grim to äü. My aunt would
inherit the wealth, and of course, in that event. Bertha
would be an heiress. At present, she is entirely depend¬
ent upon his generosity. I understand," continued Boast,
' ' Colonel Bonifield has about reached the 300 foot level.
If I have one hope greater than another, it is that he will
strike it ten times richer than old Grim ever did. In that
event," he continued, while he furtively glanced at
Vance, "there will be another heiress in Gold Bluff."
That night, after Vance found the seclusion of his
room, he worked far into the early hours of morning,
finishing a letter to the 'Banner, a letter full of decided
opinions.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE stage ride.
HE following morning Vance for¬
warded to the Banner office a two
column article, which he consid¬
ered the finest of all his western
letters.
The chief was at Buzzard's Bay
enjoying a much needed rest, when
Vance's letter was received. The
assistant managing editor did little
more than glance over the manu¬
script and observe to the dramatic critic, as he hung the
copy on the hook, thát "Young Gilder was sending in
some excellent articles from the Northwest." The article
was headed "Two Honorable Exceptions." It pro¬
ceeded, in a most logical manner, to give the output of
precious metals from the mining town of Butte City.
His statistics were carefully revised, showing there was
five times as much capital per capita in the mining camp
of Butte City, with her 50,000 people, as in the cities of
New York, Philadelphia or Boston.
Vance had spent a good deal of time in preparing the
article, and every statement was supplemented with irre¬
fragable proof. The latter half of the article was devoted
to Waterville and the agricultural resources of the Thief
River Valley. The exports of surplus crops had increased
103
104
Gj?.n' jíoc/vS.
from ICO carloads per annum to 3,000 carloads in four
years' time, and a clever comparison was drawn between
the farmers of eastern and New England states and the
farmers of the great Thief River Valley, showing that for
a given amount of labor, the farmer in the Thief River
Valley received at lea^t three dollars where the eastern
farmer received only one.
The wonderful water power in the rapids of the Thief
River, where the new town of Waterville was building,
was also dwelt upon, as well as the centrality of location
of the new city—not only from a local standpoint, but as
to the entire northwestern section of the United States.
The yield of wheat and other cereals was briefly referred
to, all showing that Gilder had been most painstaking in
preparing the article.
The managing editor, at Buzzard's Bay, was enjoying
his morning smoke when the Banner
was laid on his table. Glancing it over
leisurely, his eye caught the head-lines,
' ' Two Honorable Exceptions. " In a
moment he was all animation. His
cigar was permitted to go out in his
general neglect of everything else, in
devouring every sentence and word of
the article. He then paced back and
forth across his room and swore like a
pirate, declaring he would not have had
the article appear in thecolumns of the Banner iox $10,000.
"Just to think," said he, "the very thing I sent that
young fool of a Gilder into the west to accomplish, he
has in this one article spoiled forever. Half a dozen of
my friends have been asking me about mining invest-
Tbe managing editor.
GRA V ROCKS.
105
ments in Butte City. I have pleaded ignorance, but
assured them we had sent a trusty man to inspect the
merits of such investments, and they could expect reliable
information in the columns of the 'Banner-. Here it is,
and a pretty mess he has made of it. He has, continued
the managing editor, angrily, " completely lost his head;
only one thing will bring him to his senses, and that is a
prompt dismissal from the Banner force."
Accordingly he wired the assistant managing editor,
directing him to notif}' Mr. Gilder by letter that his
services were no longer required. He also instructed his
assistant to send the clearest headed man on the force
immediately to Butte City, Montana, and "Waterville,
Idaho, and have an article for the coming Sunday issue
that would entirely counteract the effect of Mr. Gilder's
communication.
While these arrangements were being made at the Ban¬
ner ofl&ce, Vance was preparing to return to Butte City by
way of Waterville, in order to make some investigations
and secure additional information for his next letter to the
Banner.
The old miner, Ben Bonifield, had assured him they
would reach the 300 foot level by the following Saturday
night, and Vance promised to return to Gold Bluff early
the following week. Vance waited over one stage in
order to travel in the one driven by Steve Gibbons.
As a special mark of distinction to Vance, Gibbons
invited him to a seat, on the top of the stage. As they
were whirled away from the beautiful little village oí Gold
Bluff, the sun was beginning to gild with gold the eastern
hills. Vance felt it was a sight never to be forgotten.
The evening before starting he was at the Bonifields.
106
GJ?A V J?OCA^S.
When Louise said good-bye, with the sweet truthfulness
of youth, and assured him that she would be lonely when
he was gone, he felt like declaring then and there, he
would stay forever if she would but make the request.
She gave Vance a letter of introduction to her sister Vir¬
ginia, whom Vance promised to call upon as soon as pos¬
sible after reaching Waterville.
Steve Gibbons was in his element on
top of the stage coach. He chatted away
in a vivacious manner, recounting various
reminiscences of the different mountain
gorges, here and there, where fine speci¬
mens of float rock'had been discovered at
different times. Again he would tell of
some thrilling adventure with the Indians,
and marvelous hair-breadth escapes. Gib¬
bons invariably figured in these narratives
as one of the principal characters. Presently he said :
" I don't reckon you met Grim, did you?"
" Rufus Grim?" said Vance; "yes, I had the pleasure
of meeting him only a few days ago."
"I 'spect," said Gibbons, "that Rufus Grim is the
biggest scoundrel unhung in these diggins. He thinks
he's mighty pert, but Hank Casey and me'll teach him
afore long that other people can be a mighty sight perter
than what he is. The only hearty, overgrown regret
that I've never been able to get rid of is that I didn't
twist his neck ten years ago."
" What grievance have you," asked Vance, " against
Mr. Grim? One would naturally suppose the owner of
the richest mine in the Fish River Mining District would
be respected instead of disliked."
GRA V ROCKS.
107
Steve Gibbons pushed his sombrero back from his fore¬
head, as if to relieve his pent up feelings, swung his long
whip twice around his head, and made the welkin ring as
he cracked it over the backs of his dappled leaders.
He then expectorated a vigorous ' 'pit-tew" of tobacco
juice, and said: "I reckon one can't always judge by
appearances. When Steve Gibbons says that Rufus Grim
is a scoundrel, he is a pretty good jedge of what he is
sayin', and he mighty near means what he says, pardner.
Somebody's goin' to be jerked out of the kinks 'fore long,
and—'twixt ourselves—I think that somebody is Rufus
Grim. Hank Casey an' me are old pards, and we've
employed B. Webster Regal. He's the corporation attor¬
ney for the Waterville Town Company. You won't be
takin' no chances, pardner, of bettin'your last dollar that
old Grim will think somebody's after him with a sharp
stick and a diamond drill in the end of it 'afore B. Web¬
ster Regal gets through with him. I tell you, Jedge
Regal is a cuss in the court room. He can whip his
weight in wild-cats in a law suit. Of course, I don't
mean that he's goin' to leave the Town Company; he'll
never do that as long as a lot can be sold—he says so his-
self. Hank and I hev made a bargaip with him, and old
Grim is goin' to be ousted. The Peacock belongs to
Hank Casey and me. What do you think of that?"
" I assure you," replied Vance, "you interest me very
much. I supposed Mr. Grim was the owner of the Pea¬
cock."
Again Steve Gibpons' long whip cracked like a pistol
.shot over the backs of his horses. Presently he said:
" I don't tell everybody, pardner, but I 'spect it makes
no difference with you* You see, when Rufus Grim came
108 GR A Y ROCKS.
to Gold Bluff some fifteen years ago, lie was so darnation
poor he couldn't buy a meal of victuals. Hank and I had
staked out the Peacock. We had found some mighty rich
float rock in that part of the motmtain, and knew the
The stage ride.
precious stuff was not very far away. We ' grub-staked '
Grim and put him to work on wages, and while he was
workin', he struck a 'pocket' and found free gold—a reg¬
ular vault full of yellow stuff. He commenced his treach¬
ery by stealin' every grain of it, and then cleverly walled
G/ÍA V ROCKS.
109
up that part of the shaft and continued diggin' in the
opposite direction, endeavorin' to get as far away from
the place where he had made the discovery as possible.
Well, by and by Hank Casey and me got tired of payin'
out money, and we sold out the Peacock for a mere song
to Grim. Soon after, the name of Rufus Grim was known
all over the mountain district as a bonanza king. He
organized an immense company, and owns most of the
stock himself. Within six months after we were defrauded
of our rights in the Peacock, he was a rich man, and has
been gettin' richer ever since. Hank Casey and me have
a whole lot of evidence. B. Webster Regal says if we can
prove what we claim, that we have got a lead pipe cinch
on the Peacock. The papers are bein' drawn up, and
things are goin' to be sizzlin' hot for Rufus Grim before
many moons go over his head."
Vance expressed much surprise and sympathy at the
injustice he had sustained.
"Say, pardner," said Steve, "I kind o' reckon you're
shinin' up a little toward old Bonifield's gal, ain't you?"
and he nudged Vance in the ribs with his elbow.
The question was so unexpected that Vance hardly
knew how to reply. " I hope," replied Vance, "that I
am not in disfavor with the young lady, or her father
either. I own an interest in Gray Rocks. "
"The dickens you do!" said Steve Gibbons. "Well,
if there's any man in these mountains, pardner, who
ought to strike it, old Ben Bonifield is the one. He's
been stickin to Gray Rocks for a good many years, and is
one of the squarest men in the Fish River Minin' District,
while that gal of his—why, she is the gem of all these
diggins. I "did think J. Arthur Boast had the inside
110
GRA V ROCRTS.
track on the Bonifield ranch, but here ^tely I lowed as
maybe Boast was play in' second fiddle; but then you
can't tell how a game is goin' to end until the last card
is played."
Vance made no reply, but ground his teeth in silent
anger at the mention of Boast's name.
It was late that night when they arrived at Waterville.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE TOWN COMPANY'S MEETING.
AREY the next morning Dick Ballard
rapped on Vance's door, and being
admitted, greeted him warmly, and
assured him he was mighty glad to see
him again.
"There's goin' to be a meetin' of the
Town Company."
" Is that so ? " said Vance.
"Yes; the hul kit and bilin'of 'em
are here,'' replied Ballard. '' There's Colonel Alexander,
Homer "Winthrop, General Ira House and his brother.
Jack House, B. Webster Regal and Marcus Donald.
Donald is the resident director of the Town Company. ' '
Vance said he would be glad to meet them.
' ' Well, you'll see the keenest lot of men, " said Ballard,
' ' this here country has ever pulled together. Every one
of 'em is a strong man and a hustler from the word go.
What I say about 'em you'll find is prima facie." After
a little, Dick Ballard winked one eye at Vance and said ;
" I feel a bottle in my pocket, and I wouldn't wonder a
mite there was suthin' in it that wouldn't taste bad. A
little spirits is mighty good for a feller when he has had a
hard day's ride."
Vance assured him that he was much obliged, but was
111
112
GÄA 1' /BOCA'S.
thoroughly refreshed by his night's rest, and a light
breakfast was all he wanted.
'' We usually," replied Ballard, "accommodate fellows
that want that kind of a breakfast ; in fact, some of our
breakfasts are too darned light. I'll go down and see
what I can skirmish up for you."
At the door Dick Ballard turned and said, " Oh, yes,
have you heard the news ? "
"No, I do not remember of having heard anything of
a startling character," replied Vance.
"Well, by Ned, I supposed you had heard all about
it, ' ' said Ballard, as he leaned against the door and looked
wise.
" Well, what is it ? " queried Vance.
"Well, sir, our militia company has got a new snare
drum, and, gosh all fish hooks ! but she is a rat-tat-tat-
to-or from away back ! ' ' The door closed and Old Dick
Ballard 'retreated, merrily whistling " Away down in
Dixie."
After breakfast, Vance was escorted to the Town Com¬
pany's office, where he met the different members of the
company. Each vied with the other in showing him
courtesies.
"I presume," said Homer Winthrop, as they drew a
little aside from the others, ' ' that you have never met as
remarkable men as you see in my associates." He looked
radiant, inserted his thumbs in the armholes of his vest,
and continued :
' ' Colonel Alexander is possessed of one of the richest
brains of any man I ever knew. Our attorney, Mr.
Legal, is a star of the first magnitude in his profession,
and can whip a small ami}- in a lawsuit, while Gen. Ira
GRA V ROCKS.
113
House has a reputation superior to any man in the Rocky
Mountains as a town builder. Now, if he," continued
Winthrop, "should go into the midst of a desert and say.
Here a great city shall be built,' you would make
no mistake in taking a ' flyer ' on some dirt in that
vicinity. Then there is Jack House, the General's
brother, who is, in his specialty, a most remarkable man.
He is sometimes called ' the Conspirator ' of our gang,
because of his ability to set up jobs on the enemy and
down 'em."
"By Jove, look," said Winthrop, pointing out of the
window, while his face became animated, "do you see
that young lady on the other side of the street ? That's
Miss Virgie Bonifield, and I venture to say she's one of
the loveliest girls in the Rocky Mountains."
" I have a message for her, sent bj'- her .sister," replied
Vance. "I will be under man}^ obligations if you'll
introduce me to the young lady."
"With pleasure," replied Winthrop, "as soon as the
town meeting adjourns we will call upon her."
The meeting was called to order, with Colonel Alex¬
ander in the chair.
The chairman cleared his throat several times with
marked vehemence, and said :
' ' Gentlemen, we have again met to deliberate upon the
destiny ofWaterville and the great Thief River Valley.
It is no small matter for gigantic intellects to thus
assemble as a deliberative body, to arrange, by resolu¬
tions or otherwise, questions of great moment. The
leading question to-dajq gentlemen, is that of mind over
matter. We have said to one another, ' Waterville shall
become a great city; ' our united efforts are concentrated
114 G7ÍA V ROCKS.
in this work. The story of the bundle of sticks is as true
to-day as when the fable was first written,
"The wealth, gentlemen, of our united intellects is
bearing down in concentrated rays against every opposi¬
tion, and with hammer and tongs we are reaching out in
" Gentlemen, we have again met to deliberate upon the destiny of IVaterville."
every direction, and are making one of the grandest
campaigns the country has ever witnessed. Gentlemen,
what is the pleasure of this meeting? ''
The Colonel's earnestness could not be doubted. When
GRA V ROCKS.
115
he sat down he fondled his gold-headed cane with appar¬
ent tenderness, as if he were ashamed of the way he had
abused it in emphasizing his remarks by punching it into
the floor in a most merciless fashion.
B. Webster Begal, addressing the chairman, said : "I
am proud again to meet my distinguished associates as a
deliberative body. For the benefit of our beloved citizens
of Waterville, who are crowding into this room of delibera¬
tion, and standing in front of the windows eagerly listen¬
ing to the important proceedings of this meeting, I will
say that only men in the broadest term—men with an
abundance of gray matter clinging to their brains—could
possibly have accomplished the feats which have char¬
acterized the acts of the Waterville Town Company from
its organization up to the present time. I feel, Mr.
President and gentlemen, that our untiring efforts are
about to be crowned with a success little dreamed of by
the most hopeful.
' ' From a legal point of view, I am proud to assure you
that the Waterville Town Company is in a most safe and
healthy condition. I have frequently observed, and will
again say, I am not a seller of lots, but I assure each
and every one of you that I am here to stay by this
company as long as a lot can be sold. So far as legal
knots are concerned, I will untie them ; or, failing to
do so, will, with the sharp edge of the law, cleave them
asunder. ' '
The attorney's remarks were greeted with applause as
he sat down.
The chairman jarred _the frail building by again clear¬
ing his throat, and requested B. Webster Begal to make
a report of the assets of the Waterville Town Company.
116
GRA V ROC/rS.
"Mr. Chairman," said B. Webster Legal, "I have
recently looked over the list of property owned by the
M^aterville Town Company, and find that we have assets
amounting to some two millions of dollars."
As the attorney sat down there was a satisfied look
upon his face suggestive of the millionaire.
The chairman looked over his spectacles and said,
' ' Gentlemen, you have heard, and no doubt with pardon¬
able elation, the statement of our honored associate. Judge
Legal. There are eight of us," he continued, " and two
millions means a quarter of a million each. Within two
years, sirs, these assets will have doubled in value. There
are men whose statements I would not rely implicitly
upon without discounting them—say, fifty or seventy-five
per cent—but, gentlemen, when it comes to downright
conservatism, why, my level-headed friend the Judge
takes the jackpot. Yes, sir, I undertake to say, gentle¬
men, he is the king bee of us all in cutting square into
the heart of a proposition, and analyzing it with a pre¬
cision that is truly remarkable ; and when he sa3'^s two
millions, I have no hesitancy, gentlemen, in staking my
reputation that it is three millions if it is a cent. ' '
As the chairman sat down he looked carefully at his
gold-headed cane again to make sure it had sustained no
injury.
Marcus Donald, the resident Town Coidpany's director,
addressed the meeting, and said :
" Mr. Chairman, I never felt so rich in my life as I do
at the present moment. I regret that my ancestors are
not alive to rejoice with me in the prosperity I am now
enjoying. There is a reason in this contemplated pros¬
perity. First, the great natural opportunities in this
GÄA y I?OCKS.
117
iM'-f -
The Li'oery Bill.
wonderful valley, and, second, the unity of action on the
part of the members of car Town Company.
' ' I have here a small matter to which I wish to call
the directors' attention. It is a livery bill of some eighty
dollars that is past due, and, perhaps,
we had better arrange for it. ' '
Judge Tegal rose to a point of order.
He said that such small details as pay¬
ing livery bills had no place in the
deliberations of this body of men. ' ' It
is the duty of the auditing committee
to first approve and then look after
the payments of small items like ex¬
pense bills."
Director Donald stated in reply that
B. Webster Degal was a member of the auditing com¬
mittee as well as himself, and, doubtless, knew the bill
had been approved of long ago, but that there were no
funds with which—
"Order!" shoiited the chairman, punching his-gold-
headed cane vigorously into the floor. ' ' I sustain the
point of order made by this corporation's attorney. Det
us now proceed with the deliberations of weighty and
progressive questions."
Gen. Ira Hoqse sat propped back in his chair in a
retired corner of the room, and until now had maintained
silence, save the fetching and labored pufis of his cigar,
which almost completely enveloped him in a cloud of
smoke. As he straightened himself up, he pushed his
chair in front of him, elevated one foot to the seat and
rested his left elbow on his elevated knee. He wore an
expression on his face becoming a philosopher.
118
GRA y ROCKS.
"Mr. Chairman," said he, " it seems to me we're drift¬
ing." He looked wise and waited a moment for his
remark to take effect. ' ' Drifting, ' ' he continued, ' ' is
weakness. If we drift, we scatter ; if we scatter, we fall.
Now, gentlemen," he continued, "we must not drift.
There are important business matters awaiting our atten¬
tion. I hold in my hand a letter from a party who wants
to know if Waterville would not be a good place to start
a foundry. Now, gentlemen, do we want a foundry at
Waterville, or do we not? That is the question before
this meeting."
As Gen. House sat down, the crowd cheered him
lustily, stamped their feet, clapped their hands, and cries
of '' Good"!" "That's business !" " That's the talk !''
were heard on all sides among the citizens who were
listening with bated breath -to the proceedings of the
Town Company's meeting.
" I move," said Jack House, "that we want a foundry
at Waterville, and resolutions to that effect be prepared,
inviting the party, whoever he is, to locate his foundry
here. ' '
"Order, gentlemen!" shouted the chairman, again
clearing his throat. ' ' Mr. Secretary, please record in the
minutes of this meeting, if there are no objections, the
unanimous vote in favor of the foundry, and prepare a
set of elaborate resolutions, which we will sign, inviting
the party making the inquiry to come at once to Water-
vtlle and locate his foundry."
The throng of citizens broke into cheers at this
announcement, and the word was soon passed through
the throng to the outer circle, that a foundry was to be
located at Waterville. Presently, three cheers and a
GRA V ROCA'S.
119
tiger were proposed for the new foundry, and the delibera¬
tions of the Town Company were necessarily delayed
until the cheering had ceased.
Marcus Donald, addressing the chairman, said: "I
have received a communication from the owners of a sash,
blind and door factory, who seem quite desirous of casting
their lot with us. I suggest the importance of taking
ofi&cial notice of their communication. ' '
The throng of citizens waited almost breathlessly, and
with a fair degree of patience, to see what was to be done
in regard to the sash, blind and door factory. Judge
Degal moved that the suggestion offered by Director
Donald be acted upon, and that a resolution favoring the
sash, blind and door factory be voted upon. As he sat
down, three other directors seconded the motion.
"You have heard the question," said the chairman.
"Unless there is some opposition, we will regard it as
carried unanimously." He looked over his spectacles a
moment, and as no one offered an objection, he brought
his gold-headed cane down with a sharp rap upon the
floor, and said " Carried !"
Again the word was passed from citizen to citizen on to
the waiting mob without, that Waterville was to have a
sash, blind and door factory. Again huzzas and cheering
rent the air, and impeded, to a certain degree, the delibera¬
tions of the Town Company's meeting.
At this juncture, a clerk of the local bank—the only
one that Waterville could boast of—presented himself and
asked permission to address the directors.
"What is the nature of your business, young man?"
asked Col. Alexander, clearing his throat threateningly
and looking hard at the clerk over his spectacles.
120
GRA y ROCÂTS.
' ' I have a sight draft for $50, drawn on the Waterville
Town Company for printing stock certificates."
The chairman and his seven colleagues came to their
feet in righteous indignation. "A sight draft on us?"
they cried, almost in unison. Several of the directors
shouted, " Mr. Chairman ! Mr. Chairman !" at the top of
their voice, but in his indignation the chairman failed to
take notice of them. Presently a silence, caused by sheer
consternation, succeeded the first burst of surprise. Judge
Legal, mounting a chair, said :
' ' Mr. Chairman ! I move you that article 57 of our
by-laws be copied and certified to under our corporate seal
and delivered to this young gentleman, that he may return
it with the sight draft. Here is the wording of article 57 ;
" Further, that this corporation, the Waterville Town
Company refuses to honor or pay sight drafts from any
and all sources."
' ' You have heard the question," said the excited chair¬
man, bringing his cane down with great vehemence.
" Do I hear a second?"
" We all second it," shouted the other
directors.
"Mr. Secretary," said the chairman,
' ' record the question as carried unani¬
mously."
Silence having been restored. Judge
Legal again addressed the chair :
' ' Mr. Chairman, ' ' said he, ' ' of all
pieces of unpardonable and unmitigated
gall, I consider the one we have just been
subjected to as the most trying and humiliating. I move
you, sir," he continued, "that all printing matter ordered
G.VA y ROCKS.
121
in the future by the Waterville Town Company be sent
to another printing establishment. ' '
' ' Unless there is opposition, we will consider the
question as carried unanimously," said the chairman.
At this juncture the chairman took the floor, and
addressing the directors, said :
"There are times when, notwithstanding the power of
our united intellects, questions of a very exasperating
nature confront us, and, momentarily, we are at a loss
to know just what to do ; but it is only momentarily—we
meet every crisis. It takes us a very short time to
decide ; and, with us, decision is action.
' ' In my experience I have observed that, occasionally,
storms of opposition sweep down upon men like an
irresistable avalanche. At such times it is well to retreat
to some protected place and let the storm tire itself out—-
beat itself into exhaustion, so to speak—until its very
protest becomes a dead silence. Refreshed with the rest
we have had, we may then safely sally forth, and, with
renewed vigor, arrrange a flank movement on the enemy,
and everlastingly choke opposition into a corpse."
When the chairman sat down he motioned Vance to his
side, and said, sotto voce: "Was not that a master stroke,
Mr. Gilder? Do not we meet and dispose of questions
that would simply stump any ordinary body of men into
inaction ? Opposition does not faze us ; no sir, we know
our rights, and are here to fight for thém."
The citizens were very much elated over the prospects
of a foundry and a sash, blind and door factory at Water¬
ville. Their gratitude to the Town Company was very
marked, and was evidenced by three hearty cheers and
many huzzas.
GR A Y ROCKS.
Presently the meeting of the Town Company adjourned,
and then there was much clapping of hands and more
cheering. Each member of the company crowded around
Vance and shook him warmly by the hand, and assured
him they had had one of the most profitable meetings
that had ever taken place.
CHAPTER XV.
MISS VIRGINIA BONIFIELD.
ANCE had become so thor¬
oughly interested during his
first visit to Waterville, that he
was prepared, in a degree, to
share in a general way the en¬
thusiasm of the citizens and the
members of the Waterville
Town Company which pre¬
vailed after the meeting ad¬
journed.
Buoyant with hope of the future, without hardly under¬
standing why, and with a blind belief that his invest¬
ment would yield him a splendid return, he began to feel
that it was indeed a lucky day when the chief of the ban¬
ner sent him to the northwest, and still luckier when he
fell in with the members of the Waterville Town
Company.
That afternoon, accompanied by Homer Winthrop, he
called on Miss Virginia Bonifield.
That young lady received her callers with a cultured
grace and dignity that would have done honor to even
one who had seen much more of the world. She was
rather tall and a pronounced brunette. Her well poised
head was in keeping with her graceful figure. One could
not say she was strikingly beautiful, but there was some-
123
1-^ GRAY ROCKS.
thing in her face as well as manner that made one forget
to desire her different than the interesting person she was.
Both \'ivacious and intelligent, she possessed the rare
charm, in her conversation, of reflecting the mood of
those about her. Addressing Vance, she said :
' ' Louise has written me so much about you that I
He called on Miss Virginia ßonißcld.
have been quite impatient to form your acquaintance. I
presume that papa is still working away on Gray Rocks?' '
"Yes," replied Vance, "he will soon reach the 300'
foot level."
GRA y ROCÁTS.
125
"And the old story will be told again, I dare say,"
said Virginia, laughing.
" Miss Virginia is not an enthusiast," said Winthrop,
" in regard to untold millions that have not yet been dis¬
covered in mining shafts. ' '
' ' My observations, ' ' retorted Virginia, ' ' have caused
me to be less sentimental, if not more practical, than ni)-
good sister lyouise. ' '
"I fear," said Vance, "you do not share in your
father's belief in regard to the future of Gray Rocks ?' '
"I am a Bonifield," replied Virginia, "and believe
implicitly in my father ; and, in my way, love him âs
tenderly, I dare say, as any daughter ever loved a parent,
but sometimes I fear he is mistaken—but, to change the
subject," she continued, "how do you like the weSt?"
' ' I am very favorably impressed with what I have
seen. In the east we have many brilliants that are not
diamonds,; in the west we have many rough ashlars that
are diamonds unpolished. ' '
"Thank you," replied Virginia, "I consider that a
compliment."
" It is our intention," said Winthrop, "to claim Mr.
Gilder as a western man before another year ; and if
Waterville continues to grow, as we expect it will, we
may persuade him to edit our first daily paper."
Soon after, they rose to go. " I shall hope, ' ' said Miss
Virginia, "that I will be honored by a call from yo.i
whenever you are in Waterville."
"Thank you," replied Vance, " it will afford me great
pleasure."
Winthrop remained behind a few moments, while
Vance walked up and down the sidewalk. The sun was
126
GI?A V ROCKS.
v/ell toward the western horizon. A bluish haze lay
against the mountains in the distance. It was an Indian
summer afternoon, full of quiet rest, with a gentle,
invigorating mountain breeze as a constant tonic.
Presently Winthrop joined him, and they hurried down
to the depot, for it was nearing train time, and they had
arranged to travel together to Butte City.
" How are you impressed with Miss Bonifield?" asked
Winthrop.
" Quite favorably," replied Vance. " She is, however,
an entirely different type from her sister. Miss Louise ;
indeed, I can discover no family resemblance. Miss
Louise is quite fair, while Miss Virginia is a decided
brunette.''
Soon after, the train came in, and they secured comfort¬
able seats in a Pullman. As the train started, Vance
looked out of the window at the turbulent waters in the
river, and asked Winthrop where the foundry, and sash,
blind and door factory would be located.
"We have not dfecided as yet," replied Winthrop.
' ' That will be an easy matter to arrange when the party
or parties are ready to commence building."
" I presume you are selling a good many lots?" said
Vance.
"Well, yes," replied Winthrop, hesitatingly. "We
are interesting a good many people ; and it takes people
to build a city. Where a man's possessions are, his heart
is generali}^ not far away."
' ' I should j udge from your complimentary remarks
about Miss Virginia Bonifield, and the delightful expres¬
sion of your face when we called this afternoon, that your
heart abides quite permanently at Waterville."
GI?A V ROCKS.
127
Winthrop seemed confused and looked out of the
window. Presently he said :
' ' Miss Bonifield is one of the most practical young
ladies it has ever been my good fortune to meet. She is
a most exemplary young lady, and the good people of
Waterville hold her in high esteem. This is her second
year in the pnblic school at that place."
"I judge from her remarks," said Vance, "that her
faith is very limited in her father's mine."
"Yes," replied Winthrop, "I consider her the most
practical member of the Bonifield family. ' '
Vance blushed scarlet and turned resentfully in his seat
toward Winthrop. " Ho ! ho !" said Winthrop, laughing,
' ' I was merely expressing my own private opinion. I
see, without your saying it, that your opinion is quite
different. How fortunate it is that all men, especially
you and I, Mr. Gilder, are not of the same opinion. This
very difference of opinion," Winthrop went on, "may, as
the months come and go, weld our friendship more and
more firmly."
Vance saw that he had betrayed his feelings, and
good-naturedly observed that he always was quite
partial to blondes. "I presume," he went on, "when
I become editor of the first daily paper in Waterville,
you will, doubtless, be president of some great banking
house."
"I hope so," replied Winthrop, thoughtfully. "If
many people are interested in our new town it will help
us in more ways than one. They will ultimately move to
Waterville, erect homes, and engage in business ; but v;c
must not be impatient and expect too much for the fir t
year, or the second, for that matter. ' Rome was not
128
GRA V ROCKS.
built in a day.' I fully believe," continued Winthrop,
' ' that parties purchasing lots at the present prices will
receive most excellent returns on their investments. You
see," continued Winthrop in a confidential way, "the
WatervilleTown Company was compelled to go into debt
very heavily at the time it commenced its operations, but
by persistent and continued efforts on the part of various
members of the company, we have greatly reduced the
indebtedness, and if the sale of lots continues for a week
longer we will, probably, not owe a dollar. We will then
divide our property, each member receiving a deed for his
respective share."
Winthrop seemed so happy in anticipation of the joyful
time when the company would be out of debt, and was so
^ confidential and frank in regard to the
jg matter, that Vance, hardly knowing why,
j!'' found himself deeply interested in the work
of selling lots, and suggested to Winthrop
■&u'i/î i would write to some of the members
J&l Banner force who were particular
iöfl'fi friends of his, and advise them to send on
their surplus earnings for investment.
Homer's Prophecy. The town boomer was at once on the
alert, and, in not an over-anxious way, heartily advised
the step. Accordingly, that night at the hotel in Butte
Cit3% Vance wrote a letter to his friends advising an invest¬
ment in Waterville.
The dramatic critic, the religious editor, the police
reporter, and the heads of the several departments of the
Banner at once acted on Vance's advice. They knew
nothing of the chief's action in regard to Vance's dis¬
missal. They wired Vance, authorizing him to sight
y ROCKS.
129
draft them for $2,500, and invest the proceeds in t(Av;i
lots in Waterville.
He at once complied with the instructions, turned the
money over to Winthrop, and instructed him to forward
the deeds to his friends in New York city.
He was not a little gratified to find his last letter to the
Banner copied in full by the Intermountain Blade and the
Buite City Miner, with editorials referring to the article
as particularly able, and to the writer as having the
" courage of his convictions."
The article had a most salutary effect on Homer Win¬
throp's lot selling enterprise, and during the next few
days he sold more Waterville town lots than his most
sanguine expectations had caused him to hope for.
Toward the last of the week Vance left Butte City for
Gold Bluff, via Waterville. He had in his possession
additional data and statistics to support and corroborate
his recent letter to the Banner.
At first the west was distasteful to him, but as he
became better acquainted with its customs and habits he
began to recognize the true manhood that is not unfre-
quently found under the miner's garb.
There is an uncouth, whole-soul generosity met with on
the frontier of which the effete easterner knows nothing.
Arriving at Waterville the following morning too late
for the Gold Bluff stage, he was compelled to put in
another day at Waterville. Remembering Miss Virginia
Bonifield's invitation, he called on her that evening, and
was most hospitably received. In the course of their
conversation she said ;
' ' I understand, Mr. Gilder, that you are interested
with my father in Gray Rocks. I hope you did not mis-
9
130
GRA V ROCKS.
understand me or iny motive when I spoke discouragingly
of my father's mining prospects. ' '
" May I ask," said Vance, "what reason you have for
your pessimistic views, if I may term them such?"
"I presume," she replied, a little nettled, "they are
about as tangible and equally hard to explain as those of
an optimist. I have a presentiment that father will never
find what he is looking for in the Gray Rocks mine. My
sister, lyouise, encourages faith in what to me seems a
mad belief. ' '
"Your sister may be right," replied Vance.
' ' My greatest hope, ' ' she replied, ' ' is that I am wrong
and that my sweet sister is right ; but I really fear, Mr.
Gilder, you will never see your money again that you
have been investing with my father. ' '
" I cannot doubt your sincerity," replied Vance, "but
I am glad to have more faith than you have. ' '
' ' Why should I have any faith, ' ' she replied. ' ' Have
I not seen my father clinging to that false hope year after
year, and every day resulting in a fresh disappointment ?
Long ago I made up my mind that Aunt Sally is about
right. She says that fathe» has been planting money
with different prospectors all over the mountains, and
none of it has ever found its way back. She also predicts
that father will work away on Gray Rocks until he dies,
and never have his hopes realized. I love my father
tenderly, and feel very sorry for him. A stranger cannot
understand his personal charms and grandeur as one of
his family. He is certainly one of the sweetest characters
in the world. His persuasive powers, as you evidently
have reason to know, are very great, and I feel it m}'
duty to thus warn you for your own protection. Papa is
GR A y ROCKS.
131
SO sane on everything else excepting Gray Rocks, and is
so foolish about that, notwithstanding his many years of
lost labor."
' ' If your father has a wheel in his head ' on the sub¬
ject of Gray Rocks, I must admit that I, too, have one in
mine," replied Vance.
The blush that overspread Virginia's face suggested
that she felt keenly the rebuke.
" Pardon me, Mr. Gilder," said she, " I had forgotten
that I am not ' my brother's keeper.' I promise never to
refer to the subject again.'.'
That evening, after Vance had taken leave of Miss
Virginia Bonifield, he experienced a strange unrest and
dissatisfaction, and while he did not admit it to himself,
the glamour of his day-dreams had been broken. Pres¬
ently, as he walked along, the face of Rouise came before
him, and, in a moment, he forgot his unsatisfactory even¬
ing ; forgot hope's broken glamour, and basked again in
the alluring belief that the future held no clouds for him.
It was late when he reached the hotel.
Rooking through the window, he saw old
Dick Ballard, who was alone in the bar¬
room entertaining himself with an even¬
ing drill.
He carried a long, iron poker at "carry
arms, " and was marching back and forth
with military tread. Arriving at the end
of the room, he would call out "Halt!
About face! March!"
Vance was very much amused at old
pantomime drill, but finally opened the door and walked
in. The transformation scene was wonderful. Old Dick
Mallard drills.
Dick Ballard's
132
G J? A V ROCKS.
Ballard was vigorously poking in the stove, notwith¬
standing it was a July night.
' ' Hello, Mr. Gilder, ' ' said he, looking up, * ' I saw a
mighty big rat run in this stove a minute ago, and I am
after it."
' ' Better charge your entire militia company on the
enemy," said Vance, laughing.
' ' Oh, you saw me, did you, ' ' said Ballard. ' ' I was
jes' drillin' up a little for dress parade. "Well, pardner,
I'll set 'em up, and you say nothin' about it."
Vance declined to be entertained, but Ballard drank
copiously from his ever ready bottle.
" I tell you, Waterville's got it and no mistake," said
he, putting his bottle carefully away.
" Got what," asked Vance, as he turned to go to his
room.
' ' Got the crack military company of the state," replied
Ballard. "You ought to see 'em drill once. There is
nothin' in New York city or anywhere else can tech one
side of 'em for big money. ' '
CHAPTER XVI.
THE OED COEONEE'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
[pCl^FOELOWING morningVance took the stage
1 iiipT^ for Gold Bluff. As he neared that little
■" A>l'. f mining town, he found himself experiencing
an impatience once more to see Louise Boni-
field that was strangely at Variance with
^ny former sensation of his life. It seemed
to him the stage coach was traveling at a
snail's pace, and even the good natured,
" honest intentioned " Steve Gibbons, with
all his droll talk of frontier adventure,
failed to interest him. Arriving at the hotel, he found
the old miner, Ben Bonifield, waiting for him.
"Am delighted to see yo', Mr. Gilder; I am indeed,
suh. I presume yo'r almost famished; pow'ful tiresome
ridin' in a stage coach all day, suh. After yo' have re¬
freshed yo'self, I shall be pleased to join yo' in yo'r room.
I have a matteh of vehy great impo'tance to discuss with
yo', suh."
"All right," said Vance, in his cheeriest tones. "I
trust Miss Louise is well?"
" Quite well, suh; quite well, thank yo'."
As Vance ate his supper a satisfied feeling of content¬
ment with the whole world intruded itself upon him.
His advancement in his profession was certainly gratify¬
ing. He had received several valuable hints while in
133
GRA 1 ' ROCKS.
UiUe City in regard to a new silver mining eonrpaiiy that
was about to be organized, in which he was thinking
seriously of investing a little money. The priee was only
ten cents a share, which he had been assured, on what
seemed to him very excellent authority, would be worth
a dollar a share before twelve months' time. His invest¬
ment at Waterville was certainly a good one, and he
heartily believed Col. Bonifield had good news to tell him
about Gray Rocks. In addition to this, he was once
more near Louise, that fair vision of loveliness, whose
tender blue eyes seemed ever near him. He dropped a
coin into the Band of the waiter as he rose from the table,
and stopped in the hallway to caress a lovely little child
which he found playing hide-and-seek with an older com¬
panion, and then niade each a present of money with
which to buy bon-bons. He hummed softly to himself
the air of an old love song as he went leisurely to his
room.
Soon after, he was enjoying a choice Havana with Col.
Bonifield sitting in a chair opposite him, smoking his
briar-root, blowing blue rings of smoke leisurely toward
the ceiling. Vance was animated, and spoke glowingly
of the prospects of Waterville. Presently Col. Bonifield
said ;
" Mr. Gilder^ we have reached the 300 foot level, suh,"
and then lapsed into silence.
" Have you cross-cut into the vein yet ? " asked \'ance.
' ' Mr. Gilder, ' ' said the old miner, as he rose from his
chair and walked back and forth in a stately manner,
' ' we have cross-cut, suh, into where the vein ought to
have been, but it is not there, suh. I must confess to yo',
suh, that I am greatly disappointed^ but the disappoint-
GRA y ROCKS. 135
ment, I am sure, suh, is only tempo'ary. Of course it is
much richer, suh, than it was at the 200 foot level, but it
is not rich enough, suh, to work, by a pow'ful sight."
This information was a great disappointment to Vance,
for he had fully shared the old miner's belief that they
would strike the rich ore at the 300 foot level.
' ' I will admit. Col. Bonifield, that I am somewhat dis¬
appointed, and of course you are. Under the circum¬
stances, what do you advise ? ' '
13G
cA'yi r y^ocATS.
" Yo' honor me, suh, indeed yo' do, Mr. Gilder, to ask
my advice, because, suh, I know my advice is good.
Whether yo', Mr. Gilder, will so regard it, remains to be
seen. If yo' can furnish about fou' thousand dollars mo'
money, I will start to-morrow mornin' fo' the 400 foot
level, and we will then cross-cut, suh, into a vein of
pow'ful rich ore. I assure yo', suh, I neveh was mo'
sincere in my life than I am in makin' this statement, suh. "
Vance possessed the confidence of youth, and his belief
in Gray Rocks was not to be shaken at the first disap¬
pointment, while before him rose up, as from a mist, the
pleading face of Rouise, and he fancied she was asking
him to still believe in her father. He took his check book
from his pocket and wrote a check for $4,000, and sign¬
ing it, handed it to the old miner, saying: " How long,
with the present force of men, will it take to reach the
400 foot level? ' '
' ' My dear Mr. Gilder, " said the colonel,
accepting his check, and clasping his hand,
"yo' quite ovehpow'r me, yo' do indeed,
suh. Yo' may have been bawn in the
nawth, but yo' are a Virginian still at
heart, with the warm blood con'sin' through
yo'r veins. I think, suh, that within
three or fou' months we can reach the fou'
hund'ed foot level. I told yo'r father that
Vo' overpow'r me. Gray Rocks was a sure winner, and I am
suh. proud, suh, to repeat the statement to you. "
" I don't know," said Vance, "whether you will strike
it at the four hundred foot level or not, but I assure you,
Colonel Bonifield, that I have every faith in your sin¬
cerity, and I am anxious to develop the mine as rapidly
GR A y ROCKS.
137
as possible. If my investment should prove a total loss,
I assure you I would never hold you responsible."
"I am gettin'along in years, Mr. Gilder," said the
Colonel, "and while I have not struck it yet, I have
every confidence, suh, that we will if we stay by Gray
Rocks. My little Rouise, of con'se, was disappointed like
myself. We both feared, suh, yo' would be vehy much
disappointed; and I assure yo', suh, we cared a great deal
mo' about yo'r disappointment than we did about our
own. To tell yo' the truth, suh, that little girl of mine
had mo' faith in yo'r looking at this matteh philosoph¬
ically than I did; but, " continued the Colqnel, pressing
Vance's hand, "I misjudged yo', Mr. Gilder, I did
indeed, suh, and I apologize fo' it. ' '
After Colonel Bonifield had taken his departure, Vance
commenced looking over his accumulated mail. The first
thing that claimed his attention was a copy of the 'ban¬
ner containing his article, "Two Honorable Exceptions."
He read it carefully through again with-evident pride.
Not a word or a single sentence had been cut out. This
was gratifying to him, and seemed proof that the manag¬
ing editor had confidence in his ability to select the wheat
from the chaff. He laid down the paper and began open¬
ing his letters. Presently the song' he was humming died
on his lips. He sat upright and stared at a letter which
he held in his hand. It read as follows:
Dear Sir • Banner Office, New York City.
I am directed by the managing editor to advise you that your
services are no longer required. Enclosed find check in payment
of your salary to date. Respectfully,
J. M. M.,
To Vance Gilder, Esq. Ass't Managing Editor.
138
GJÍA y j?oc/¿-s.
He arose from his chair and rapidly paced the room,
while great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead.
What had he done to merit such humiliation? The idea
that it might be a practical joke for a moment found
lodgment in his thoughts, but he quickly dismissed the
hallucination. Again he took up the paper and re-read
the article, "Two Honorable Exceptions." He endeav¬
ored logically to think out a solution of his dismissal.
The more earnestly he thought over the
situation, the more distinctly he remem¬
bered the prejudiced views the chief
seemed to entprtain in regard to western
enterprises and investments. ' ' He cer¬
tainly wants the truth," soliloquized
Vance, " and I will stake my life there
is not a sentence in this article," and
he struck the paper vigorously with his
hand, "but what is true. The article
., Dance's dismissal.
might almost be regarded as an adver-
tisement for the great mining camp of Butte City, yet it
was news, and not nearly so strong as it might be and
still keep within the bounds of truth. The same is
equally true as to what I have said in regard to the agri¬
cultural and other resources of Waterville. "
He sat far into the night, discussing with himself this
unlocked for calamity. Once, and only once, did the
idea occur to him that possibly the chief had sent him
into the northwest to systematically destroy confidence
concerning western investments. He was too honorable,
however, to harbor the thought, and quickly dismissed it
as too contemptible to be entertained. The only conso¬
lation he could find—and that was certainly a very
GRA V ROCKS.
139
meager one—was that in all probability a letter of expla¬
nation would soon come, that would clear away the mis¬
understanding. In the meantime he would patiently
wait, keeping his own counsel.
He looked over his check book, and found he had, all
told, some six thousand dollars to his credit, besides the
four thousand dollars he had that evening given to
Colonel Bonifield. He sat by his window and considered
the advisability of returning at once to New York and
demanding an explanation. Such a course would take
him away from Gold Bluff, from Gray Rocks, and from
Rouise.
CHAPTER XVII.
AN AWAKENING.
ANCE GILDER was not of a
morose nature. The following
morning he ate as hearty a
breakfast as ever, and while
smoking his morning cigar,
acknowledged to himself that
he had fallen in love with the
picturesque scenery of the
mountains, rivers, valle3^s and
lakes around Gold Bluff.
Everything about him was restful, while an alluring
contentment stole into his heart. He congratulated him¬
self that he was far away from the hot and crowded
metropolis of the Atlantic seaboard. Here, far removed
from "the busy marts of men," and the restless commo¬
tion of commerce and traffic, he could rest and wait.
The day passed quickly by ; the afternoons and even¬
ings usually in the society of Louise. They were
bewildering da3^s in their completeness. The night
claimed the day all too soon when in her society.
He was surprised, after, the first shock of disappoint¬
ment had passed away, to find how indifferent he was be¬
coming in regard to the loss of his position on the banner.
One morning he awakened to a keen sense of incom¬
pleteness where completeness had dwelt. He also dis-
140
CHA V ROCKS.
141
covered a vein of discontent where contentment had
reigned supreme. His love of the mountains, the rivers,
and the picturesque scenery was but a prelude of promise,
thumbing sweetly of the great, un¬
selfish love awakened in him for
Louise.
This unrest dated from a certain
^ evening when Louise first sang for
' liffi' He was quite entranced by the
"ipA full, rich volume of her contralto voice.
She began by striking the chords
in a hesitating way ; but presently
She sang for him. geuius of her musical nature seized
her with its wonderful power, and she sang with wild
abandon :
"We seemed to those who saw us meet
The casual friends of every day ;
His courtesy was frank and sweet.
My smile was unrestrained and gay.
But yet, if one the other's name
In some unguarded moment heard,
The heart you thought so free and tame
Would flutter like a frightened bird.' '
As she sang Vance gave himself up to the intoxication
of the moment. His soul broke through the barriers and
went out to hers, and as the song died on her lips, and
the music ceased with a few reluctant farewell chords, he
knew that a great and tender love had sprung up in his
heart—a love that was not for a day, but for all time.
"Miss Bonifield," said Vance, with emotion, " jou
are, indeed, a constant surprise to me. Your playing is
142
G TÍA V ROCKS.
certainly superb, while your voiee is not only soft and
musical, but has great range. To hear you sing fills me
with a longing to be a better man."
"Thank you," said Louise, "I seldom play or sing
excepting for papa. Your compliment, however, is highly
appreciated. ' '
" As long as I remain in Gold Bluff I hope I will be
privileged in hearing j'ou sing oceasionally. "
" We will promise not to ostracize you altogether, Mr.
Gilder," said Louise, laughingly, "but may I ask how
long 3*ou expect to remain with us?" There was just
enough hesitation in the question to suggest interest.
" I do not know," replied Vance. "I presume j-ou
think it is strange that I have remained as long as I have.
To be frank with you. Miss Bonifield, I have lost my
position on the banner.'"
"Lost your position !" said Louise, with unmistakable
concern.
" I am indeed sorry," replied Vance, " whether it is a
misfortune or not. I had an offer to-day to take charge
of the Gold Bluff Prospector, and am thinking seriouslj- of
accepting."
"You quite astonish me," said Louise, " but I know
papa will be delighted if you conclude to remain per¬
manently in Gold Bluff."
" Of course," said Vance thoughtfullj', " there is quite
a difference between the New York 'Banner and the Gold
'Bluff Prospector—one a cosmopolitan daily and the other
a country newspaper without any special circulation. It
would only be profitable to me as I increased its circula¬
tion and its importance to advertisers. I shall not decide
for a few days. I may receive some explanation from
GRA V ROCR-S.
143
the 'Banner that will put a different light upon my dis¬
missal.
' ' I have almost made up my mind that I should like to
remain in Gold Bluff," continued Vance, looking inquir¬
ingly at Louise. "My confidence in Gray Rocks is
growing daily, and I believe it is only a question of a
short time until your father's efforts will be crowned with
success."
" Mr. Gilder," replied Louise, feelingly, " I thank you
144
G/?A V ROCKS.
for } Our confidence and faith in my father. It seems that
nearly ever}- one disbelieves in his final success, I can¬
not tell why, yet my faith is unbounded. Even sister
\hrgie has lost hope, and at times papa is greatly dis¬
couraged because sister and Aunt Sally talk as they do ;
but I am sure in time he will be able to fully prove how
mistaken they are in their judgment."
As Vance rose to go he took her hand and said " Miss
Bonifield, you certainly are a noble daughter, and your
father is pardonable for wishing to keep you with him in
this western country. I am beginning to understand
what a great strength and support you must be to him."
"Thank you," replied Louise, " I am sure you over¬
estimate the assistance I am to my father, but my great¬
est pride is in doing something that will add to his com¬
fort, and I am sure papa cannot want me with him more
than I wish to remain."
Vance had become accustomed to Louise's frankness of
speech, yet he received a shock that thrilled him with
delight when she said, "I shall be very happy, Mr.
Gilder, if you conclude to remain in Gold Bluff. You
have no idea how lonesome I should be if you were to go
away."
Vance's heart beat wildly, and something seemed to rise
up in his throat as he attempted to thank her. The
expression of his face evidently betrayed his feelings, for
she quickly drew away, and with a formality that was
new to Vance she bowed stifiSy and said " Good night."
After leaving the Bonifield's home, he followed the road
which led up the mountain side toward Gray Rocks. The
moon, large and round, was just lifting itself above the
eastern horizon. He walk'ed on past the shaft, where the
GIÍA V ROCKS.
145-
night force of men were busy working away toward the
400 foot level, and soon found himself near the old pros¬
pect shaft on the Peacock. The valley where the little
city of Gold Bluff nestled was far beneath him. He saw
a light glimmering from one of the windows in the
Bonifield home, and interpreted it as a beacon of hope.
He repeated over and over again Touise's words relative
to his remaining in Gold Bluff.
"Yes," said he, "I will remain, no
matter what the explanation may be
from the Banner office," and filled with
this decision, he returned to his hotel.
One evening, about a week after re¬
ceiving the letter dismissing him from
the Banner force, the mail brought a
copy of that great New York paper.
Vance eagerly perused it to see if it con¬
tained his last communication. No, it
had been rejected, but in its stead he found an article
entitled " Two Western Towns." It was a three-column
article devoted to Butte City and Waterville. It referred
in the most vindictive manner to the members of the
Waterville Town Company, and classed them as a lot of
town site boomers. It warned eastern people not to be
caught and misled by such wildcat speculations as were
offered by them in the great Thief River Valley.
It said the valley was one immense-lava bed, inter¬
spersed with sage brush thickets, alkali swamps and
basalt plains. The wonderful water-power, it claimed,
was an absolute myth ;. and, in fact, the printed state¬
ments in the circulars of these "town boomers" were
deliberate lies.
'Past the old shaft.
10
146
GRA V ROCKS.
Another thing which eastern investors should bear in
mind, the paper went on to say, was the fact that the pro¬
perty which had been platted into town lots was still
government land. The town company had no title, and,
perhaps, never would have. It branded the whole enter¬
prise as the most gigantic confidence game that had ever
been perpetrated on an unsuspecting public.
It further said the swindling operations of these irre¬
sponsible and restless town boomers of Waterville were
only exceeded in point of adroitness by the mining opera¬
tions in and around Butte City, Montana. The article
said the mountain sides at Butte City were perforated with
prospect holes, where hundreds upon hundreds of thou¬
sands of dollars of eastern people's money had been expen¬
ded by local managers in riotous living and debauchery,
and claimed that it was a safe estimate to say that for
every thousand dollars put into prospect shafts in and
about Butte City, not more than one dollar had been
taken out.
It spoke of the inhabitants of both Butte City and
Waterville as plebians of the lowest sort and condition of
life.
The worst cut of all to Vance, however, was the closing
paragraph, where it stated that it was the habit of pro¬
moters of these western towns to bribe indiscriminateh-
correspondents of eastern papers, and that many were
weak enough to fall, which was not only unfortunate for
the journal publishing these fiattering falsehoods, but a
base injustice to the eastern investor, who was led captive
with his savings into western "booms" through the
machinations of unprincipled correspondents.
If Vance had been nonplussed on receipt of the assis-
GRA V ROCKS.
147
tant's letter, he was now stunned. He thought very little
about his own investment in Waterville, but rather, what
would his old associates on the banner think of him ? He
regarded the article as a direct thrust at himself and his
integrity.
After waiting a few days and receiving no further com¬
munication from the "banner ofi&ce, and feeling too much
humiliation to write to his city friends until time had
dulled the blow, he concluded to go to Waterville and see
if he could not make arrangements with the Town Com¬
pany whereby he could return at once the money invested
by his old associates in Waterville town lots.
The more he thought over the refuting article in the
Banner the more indignant he became. ' ' There is not a
manufacturer or other institution in the east rich enough, "
said he to himself, ' ' to stand such wholesale boycotting
as this western country is constantly subjected to by the
eastern press. It is not conservatism ; it is downright
injustice. I have not been long in the west, it is true,
but my respect for it and its people is growing. Even
Chicago, with all her greatness, energy and achievements,
is belittled by the boycotting press of the east 1
' ' By birth I am a Gothamite, and by education I am
an eastern man, but my patriotism for America and all
that is American has never prevented me from turning up
my trousers when there is a heavy fog in Eondon?' '
CHAPTER XVIII.
YANCK RETURNS TO WATERVILEE.
T was on an October morning that Vance
started for Waterville. A light frost the
night before had made the air ^arp and
crisp. The frost disappeared, however,
before the genial warmth of the rising
sun, while the russet leaves grew browner
and as the wind stirred them, sang bro¬
kenly of old age.
October is the scenic month in the mountains. You
seem to stand in Nature's picture gallery. The box-alder
leaves are as changeable in color as a blushing maiden.
From the low foothills on up the sides of the mountains
to the timber line, the elms, the box-alders, and poplars
grow in profusion. The leaves vary in color from the
deepest green to the brightest scarlet, the most golden
yellow, or the somberest brown. The colors are inter¬
mingled in this gorgeous panoramic scene with a charm
and beauty that baffles the most skilled artist's touch to
reproduce on canvas.
Vance was seated beside Steve Gibbons on the top of
the stage coach, as they whirled along in meditative
silence. The evening before Louise had sung for him.
It was music fit for the gods—so rich, so deep, so plaint¬
ively low, so fascinating. He could see her even now,
standing on the wide old porch as she bade him good-bj'e.
148
GßA V /¿OCA'S.
149
The mild October breeze that stirred the ringlets of her
golden hair seemed laden with worshipers of hope for
Vance, the lover, and he interpreted her every word and
smile as a token reciprocal of his own deep love.
Presently Vance was brought back from his day dreams
to the present by Steve Gibbons remarking :
"Things ain't so powerful brisk down at Waterville
jes'now."
"Why, how is that?" asked Vance.
"Oh, I dunno," replied Gibbons, as he waked up his
leaders with a spirited crack of his whip, " can't say jes'
what is the matter. But I can tell ye one thing, pardner, ' '
he went on, " I'm mighty glad I'm not in the real estate
business. In my opinion, them real estate agents down
thar will be jumpin' sideways for a sandwich before the
winter's over."
Vance was noticeably depressed by Gibbons' remarks.
He was going to Waterville for the express purpose of
disposing of his New York friends' property, in which
they had invested on his recommendation. He cared
very little about his own investment. He was willing to
wait, or ey^en to lose it all, if he could only prevent them
from sustaining loss on their purchase.
It was late that night when they reached Waterville.
Vance was delighted to find that Homer Winthrop was
registered at the hotel. They met the following morning
at the breakfast table. The conduct of the usually polite
and entertaining Winthrop was changed to a sternness
for which Vance was at a loss to account. As they arose
from the table, Vance went out with Winthrop and asked
him how he was progressing in the lot selling business.
"How ami progressing?" repeated Winthrop, as he
150
GjRA y HOCKS.
tiirned and looked coldly at Vance. " I am through. I
liaA-e left Butte City for good."
' ' Why, how is that?" asked Vance in some surprise.
Winthrop was silent for a moment, and then replied:
"It is rather strange, Mr. Gilder, for you to ask such a
question after writing the article you did for that New
York paper. The Inter Mountain Blade and the Butte
City Miner both copied the letter. It is hardly necessary
for me to observe," he went on, " that it rendered it im¬
possible for me to sell another lot in Butte City. Those
who had purchased became so infuriated that I deemed it
best for personal safety to leave the town. ' '
Saying this, Winthrop turned abruptly and left Vance,
who was for a moment unable to make a reply. Homer
Winthrop's words both astonished and chilled him.
A little later he visited the Town Company's office,
where he found Marcus Donald, the resident director, and
Homer Winthrop in deep consultation. Donald was a
man of commanding presence. His associates often
remarked that Marcus Donald's face was worth $10,000
in an important trade of any kind. He was dignified and
commanding in appearance, and when one talked with
him, the most skeptical fell into the habit of believing
every word that fell from his lips. Vance discovered that
he was not wanted, but he determined to vindicate him¬
self, and said :
"Gentlemen, pardon me for interrupting, but I must
ask your indulgence for a few moments. I wish you
would read this article. I am humiliated enough with¬
out any further complications or misunderstandings."
He handed Marcus Donald a copy of the Banner. Don¬
ald adjusted his gold-rimmed spectacles and read aloud
GRA V ROCKS. 151
the entire article, "Two Western Towns." When he
had concluded, Vance turned toward Winthrop.
" Is that the letter you referred to?"
"Why, yes, " said Winthrop, "but how is this?" said
he, picking up the paper. ' ' The Butte City papers pub¬
lished only that part of the article referring to Waterville;
but how came you to write sucha letter at all, Mr. Gilder?
You certainly know there is not a syllable of truth in it
from beginning to finish. "
Vance looked first at Winthrop and then at Donald,
152
GRA V ROCKS.
and replied, " I did not write it." He then proceeded to
give them a history of his dismissal.
' ' This was written, '' tapping the paper with the back
of his hand, " evidently to counteract the influence and
effect of what I had written the week before. ' '
" Of course that puts it in a different light," said Don¬
ald, rising and extending his hand to Vance. " I could
not believe it possible that you, Mr. Gilder, could be
guilty of writing such a libelous article as this is. "
Winthrop also accepted the explanation as eminently
satisfactory, and sympathized with Vance in the loss of
his position on the great New York daily.
' ' It has completely killed the lot selling business for
me in Butte City," said he, "but fortunately for us, we
have made some very excellent sales during the past few
weeks, and the Town Company has sufficient money in
the treasury to pay all its debts, and the last obligation
will be paid off before twelve o'clock to-day."
" Yes, " said Marcus Donald, ' ' they will all be paid off,
but it will leave the treasury in a depleted condition; but
the future, I believe, is all right". I hope you will not
lose faith, Mr. Gilder, in Waterville's prospects.
" No," said Vance, " I have unbounded faith in Water-
ville, but I would like very much to have the Town Com¬
pany, if possible, return the $2,500 which I invested for
my New York friends. It would save me much embar¬
rassment if I could return them their money. They
doubtless know I have been dismissed from the force, and
have read this last article, which puts an entirely differ¬
ent coloring on this western country from what I repre¬
sented."
GRA V ROCXS.
153
"You must know," said Winthrop, "that what you
seek is next to impossible. The money has been paid
into the treasury, and no difference how friendly I per¬
sonally feel toward you, or how much the resident
director, Mr. Donald, may wish to return the money, it
cannot possibly be done without an action of the
directors. ''
At this juncture^ Marcus Donald invited Vance to take
a seat by bis desk, and he would explain to him carefully
and fully the situation, and believed he could prove to
him conclusively why he was acting for his New York
friends' best interests in leaving the in¬
vestment as it was. Donald produced a
great many maps and carefully spread
them out on the table, adjusted his spec¬
tacles carefully, and with his $10,000
face looked squarely into Vance's, and
proceeded to go over the old, old story of
the unlimited natural resources of the val¬
ley. He discussed at length, and in a
, , • • 1 . . Donald explains.
very entertaining and convincing manner,
the number of acres of land already in cultivation, the
probable annual increase acreage of farm land; figured
out results that amounted to millions of dollars. He then
carried Vance from one side of the map to the other, up
to the top, then down to the bottom and back again to
the point where they had first started; indeed, he quite
enthused Vance in regard to the future prospects and final
outcome of Waterville.
He also confirmed Winthrop's statement in regard to
their inability to take any money out of the treasury for
154
GRA V ROCKS.
the purpose suggested without first having an action of
the directors.
"I advise you to write to your New York friends,"
continued Donald, " and tell them their investment is all
right, if—mark, I say if—they have the nerve to stay
with it a year or such a matter. Of course this article in
the Banner hurts us immensely. It is simpl3^ a high¬
handed piece of boycotting; but the west has received
similar injustice at the hands of the great New York
dailies times without number in years gone by."
Acting on Marcus Donald's advice, Vance wrote a let¬
ter that day to his New York friends, and afterwards felt
better for having done so. He determined to remain a
week or two at Waterville, and see if there was any
demand for real estate. Before many days, he began to
understand the wonderful, far-reaching effects of the late
article in the Banner. Rival surrounding towns copied
it, and with double-leaded editorials called attention to a
town that had over-reached itself. They denounced the
various members of the Waterville Town Company as vil¬
lainous sharks, and predicted that the boom had been
pricked with a needle that would let all the wind
out of it.
The transient class of real estate agents and hangers-
on, who had been doing a rather thriving business, said,
' ' Boys, this ends it, " as they blew the foam from their
glasses of beer, ' ' we might as well go somewhere else
as wait and see the dog-fennel grow in the streets of
Waterville."
One day Vance called on J. Arthur Boast at his office.
He found him as elegantly dressed as ever, and engaged
in tying up bundles of legal papers, deeds, contracts, etc.
GRA V ROCKS.
155
" Are you getting ready to move away from Water-
ville?" asked Vance.
"No, I am not going away; that is, not permanently, "
replied Boast, as he stooped to brush a speck of dust from
his highly polished shoes, ' ' but I do not presume we will
have g.ny use for deeds or contracts for some time to come,
and I am therefore putting them away out of the dust
until the boom opens up again. ' '
"You talk a little discouragingly," said Vance.
" Discouragingly!" said Boast, as he seated himself on
the table in front of Vance. "Discouragingly! Why,
didn't I tell you the Town Company would ruin Water-
ville? I was away only two weeks visiting, as you know,
at Gold Bluff, but while I was gone they inflated prices
of property; made promises right and left that were quite
impossible for them to fulfill. The newspapers all over
the country are denouncing them, and the result of it is
that Waterville is dead! I say dead, and I mean dead,
and all on account of the Town Company. ' '
' ' Do you suppose, ' ' asked Vance, ' ' that you could pos¬
sibly sell my twenty-five lots?"
Boast looked absently out of the window and said, " I
might sell them in time by putting them on my special
bargain list."
"At what price?" Vance ventured to ask.
"Let me see," said Boast, " you paid $2,500 for them,
did you not?"
"Yes," replied Vance.
" Oh, well," said Boast, " I might be able to get $500
for them, but it would be a pretty green sort of a tender¬
foot that I could load them on at even that price. But
what's the use," said he, facing around toward Vance
156
GJÍA V ROCKS.
and still sitting on the table, ' ' what's the use of losing
your nerve? Within one or two years Waterville will
be all right. She can't be kept down. She has natural
resources; the richest farm lands in the world; the great¬
est water power of any inland city in the United States;
marvelous veins of coal; inexhaustible quarries of rock;
unsurpassed forests of timber; and abundance of water for
irrigating purposes. Why, dang it, old fellow," said he,
slapping Vance on the shoulder, " Waterville's all right.
All you've got to do is to hold on to your nerve and your
lots, and you will come out on top."
'''That's all very well, " replied Vance, "but the ray
of hope you hold out is too far away to be very satisfac¬
tory at the present time."
"Every tenderfoot," replied Boast, "needs a certain
amount of experience in order to acclimate him to this
western country. Your experience is just now beginning.
After a little Colonel Bonifield will strike it rich on Gray
Rocks, Waterville will also come out of
the kinks, and there you are, a rich man.
By the way, the Colonel must be pretty
well along toward the 400 foot level, is
he not?' '
' ' I believe he is making very satisfac¬
tory progress," replied Vance.
" If the old man should strike it rich,"
said Boast, ' ' I would not mind connect¬
ing myself with his family. Of course, I
am not so hard to please as you New York fellows."
He looked archly at Vance and smiled wickedly as he
made this remark. Vance was indignant at the cold¬
blooded insinuation of Boast, and replied;
GR A Y ROCKS.
157
"While you may have no objections, I don't doubt
you will meet some pretty knotty ones before you succeed
in winning Miss Bonifield.''
"Possibly," replied Boast, coolly, "Nevertheless, if
the old Colonel strikes it in Gray Rocks, it's worth a trial,
anyway; but come, there's no use in quarreling over
something that hasn't happened, or being down-hearted
about a busted boom, so long as a fellow has a bottle of
red liquor. "
Vance did not wait for him to go through the ordeal of
condemning himself as a drunken profligate, but left him
to flnish tying up his papers and drink the contents of
his bottle alone.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE INDIGNATION MEETING.
ANCE had been in Waterville something
over a week, and his enthusiasm was
noticeably subdued. One evening he dis¬
covered that a great many citizens were
assembling in the Town Hall. Rejoined
the crowd, and found it was composed of
representatives of nearly every family in
Waterville.
The meeting was called to order with J. Arthur Boast
in the chair. It was an indignation meeting. Instead
of huzzaing for the Waterville Town Company, its mem¬
bers were being vigorously denounced. A speaker
addressed the chair, and among other things said :
' ' Where is our sash, blind and door factory ? Where
is our foundry ? Where is our woolen mill ? Where are
our'canning factories? Where is our great smelting
plant, and other manufacturing enterprises which have
been promised us by the Waterville Town Company?
When we see anything in a newspaper we have a right to
believe what it says. Outside of Waterville, the news¬
papers claim the members of the Waterville Town Com¬
pany to be a lot of restless town site boomers. I believe
what I see^ in the papers. The dog-fennel is already
growing in our streets—our town is dead ; not one
stranger in a week alights from the train at Waterville.
158
GRAY ROCKS.
159
We have been deceived, and it is now time for an indig¬
nant community to assert its rights, take the reins of
government, so to speak, in our own hands, and give the
Waterville Town Company to understand that no more
bonds of any kind will be voted or subsidies given."
A number of other speakers expressed themselves in
bitter terms against the Waterville Town Company. The
chairman, J. Arthur Boast, finally addressed the meeting,
and with his thin, piping voice advised moderation.
He said it was true that, during his absence, prices had
been unfortunately inflated, and a reaction had set in.
He reminded his hearers that he was still in the real
estate business, and by listing their property with him he
would try to put it on his "special bargain list," and
thought possibly he could, in time, re-establish confidence
and create a new era of activity in the real estate business.
Boast was very careful not to openly charge the depres¬
sion in Waterville to anyone in particular, but his insinua¬
tions left no room to doubt he meant the Waterville Town
Company.
It seemed to be the sense of the meeting that retrench¬
ment was in order. One speaker advised the closing of
the public school. The suggestion seemed to meet with
favor. Old Dick Ballard pushed his way through the
crowd, and addressing the chairman, begged the crowd
to listen to reason. "You know," he continued, "that
I'm your school director, in this township. The ofiice
sought me ; I didn't seek the ofiice. Retrenchment in
any other line exceptin' the closin' down of our public
school is, perhaps, all right ; but do not take a step back¬
ward. Our public school system is our pride, and shoiild
appeal to the patriotism of every one here."
160
GJ?A y JîOCKS.
In conclusion, he offered to give an entertainment with
his State Militia Company for the benefit of the public
school of Waterville. His remarks would probably have
been effective had not a fiery speaker followed him and
advanced the idea that by discontinuing the public school
it would be a direct rebuke to the Waterville Town Com¬
pany.
" Let it be noised abroad," said he, " that the residents
of Waterville refuse to pay any school taxes, and then the
Waterville Town Company will begin to understand that
we must be consulted, or we will thwart their schemes of
booming this town. All they care for, anyway, is the
money there is in selling town lots."
The speaker then asked Dick Ballard how much money
was in the teacher's fund of the school treasury. Ballard
said he did not know, but he could find out in a day or
two. The speaker then addressed the chair, and said :
' ' I move you, sir, that it is the sense of this public
demonstration that we quit paying taxes to support a
public school in Waterville, and when the funds now on
hand are exhausted that our school be closed." The
motion almost unanimously prevailed. There were a few
feeble protests, but they were not recognized by the pre¬
siding officer.
A little later Vance felt some one plucking at his sleeve,
and old Dick Ballard motioned him to follow.
" Now, sir," said Ballard, in a deep whisper when they
were alone, ' ' there is some mighty important work to be
done. Be in the parlor of my hotel in half an hour from
now. Say nothin'." At this Dick Ballard, with a
mysterious look on his face, turned and hurried away.
A little later Vance walked over to the hotel and found
GIÍA V ROCKS.
161
Dick Ballard, Homer Wintlirop, and Marcus Donald.
They apparently were waiting for him. Ballard was very
careful to lock the door securely. He then turned and said;
" Now, gentlemen, we have business of importance on
hand. Yes, sir, the time has come for us to act, and act
promptly. Hold on—^just wait a moment
until I read you a letter. This is private, "
said he, tapping a letter which he un¬
folded with a great flourish. ' ' This is.
from General Ira House, the greatest
town builder in the world. Now, here's
what he says :
" ' I will settle my board bill,' no, hold
on ; that isn't the place. Here it is :
' Tell the people to be patient. The
Ballard locked the door. jjQur ís just before thc dawu.
Waterville is all right.' "
' ' What do you think of that, gentlemen ?' ' said he,
folding the letter and putting it into his poeket. ' ' I tell
you. General House can come as near breakin' the shell
and gettin' at the meat of the kernel as any man I ever
knew. He's brainy, and no mistake. Our citizens are
excited, ' ' Ballard went on, ' ' and in their excitement they
are foolish. They Te attemptin' to bite the hand that is
feedin' us all. The Town Company has made this town.
I address my remarks, Mr. Gilder, to you. Modesty for¬
bids, sir, that I should say to my friends, Mr. Donald and
Mr. Winthrop, that which I unhesitatingly proclaim to
an outside part}'. Now let me ask, Mr. Gilder, if I didn't
tell you long ago that the members of the Waterville
Town Company were the brainiest men this country had
ever produced ?' '
11
162
G/iA y JiOCKS.
"I believe you made that remark," replied Vance.
"Yes, sir, and I am proud to repeat the statement, and
in the letter which I have just read to you I have the
evidence, the prima facie evidence, that Waterville is only
restin', as it were, preparatory to enterin' the free-for-all
hurdle race, and makin' the fastest time on record. Yes,
sir, her time will be a record breaker, and she will dis¬
tance all would-be competitors, notwithstandin' the slan-
GRA Y ROCKS.
163
derous and libelous articles now goin' the rounds in the
press. ' '
' ' We now, " continued Ballard, ' ' are a ways-and-means
committee. The closing of our public school would in¬
deed be a calamity. They asked me over' at the town
meetin' how much money was in the school treasury. I
told them I didn't know. I beg you gentlemen's pardon
for my reply, I do know. There is not a cent. I was
forced into the awkward position of tellin' a falsehood for
the good of my adopted city, Waterville. Now, gentle¬
men, what do you advise?"
"I think," said_ Donald, " that our tax payers proper
are not objecting to the expense of our public school.
The Waterville Town Company owns fully three-fourths
of all the property in Waterville, and we want the school
to go on. The citizens who are the loudest in denouncing
the expense, and calling most vigorously for retrench¬
ment, as a matter of fact, do not pay a penny of tax. ' '
"You're right,'' said Dick Ballard, glowingly, "that's
the talk ! There's argument in your remarks, Mr.
Donald, and if I had them printed on dodgers I would
regard it as a personal privilege to deliver copies to mem¬
bers of my State Militia Company, and issue a general
order to have them distributed over the entire town."
"I wish to call your attention to one thing," con¬
tinued Ballard. "No member of my State Militia
Company voted to discontinue our public school ; no, sir,
not one."
Winthrop was called on for remarks, and observed that
the demonstration was a hasty action that would not be
approved, probably, by the people themselves on mature
reflection.
164
GRA V ROCKS.
'' A few weeks ago," he went on, "these same people
were hurrahing for the Waterville Town Company. They
expect us to perform wonders in a few weeks' time, that
in reality require months, and even years. I fully believe
the present depression will be followed by a healthy
activity that will satisfy the most pronounced pessimist in
W aterville. ' '
"Gentlemen," said Dick Ballard, "there are four of
us. Miss Virginia Bonifield is a most exemplary young
lady, while, as a teacher, she is without a peer. I .stand
ready to pledge myself for one-fourth of her salary. Her
salary for the entire year is $500.
" Put me down for one fourth," said Vance.
' ' I will gladly pay one-fourth, ' ' said Marcus Donald,
" and my check is ready at any time."
' ' Count me in on the deal, ' ' said Homer Winthrop
"Just one thing, gentlemen," said Dick Ballard, "I
am pretty well acquainted with Miss Virginia Bonifield.
She possesses the spirit of independence to a very large
degree. She is, indeed, the daughter
of her father, Colonel Bonifield. If
she knew that her salary was comin'
from a private source, why, you could
not get her to touch a dollar of it,
therefore I think it best to consider
this compact and agreement strictly
confidential. ' '
Dick Ballard's views met with the
approval of his associates, and then the
conversation became general. Vance
inquired when the Town Company would probably hold
another meeting.
They retain the school.
GRA Y ROCKS.
165
"Not for some time, from present indications," replied
"Winthrop.
"No," replied Marcus Donald, "I have to-day re¬
ceived a letter from Colonel Alexander, and he says it
will be necessary, on account of pressing business in the
Wharfage and Dockage Company down on the Gulf coast,
to defer holding another Town Company meeting for
some months. The only thing we can do," continued
Donald, "is to keep a good grip on our holdings here
and wait. The dark days will roll by like so many clouds
and the sun will shine again. Waterville will be in the
ascendency. Strangers will be coming in, bringing
money for internal improvements ; this great valley
will be settled up, and successful activity, in my judg¬
ment, will take the place of the present unfortunate de¬
pression."
"Vance continued his stay in Waterville several days
longer than he had at first intended. His frequent con¬
sultations with Homer Winthrop and Marcus Donald led
him to believe they were two of the most honorable men
he had ever met. Possibly they were ,wrong in their
judgment about Waterville, but they certainly were
sincere. They seemed like men who had been fighting
for a goal against bitter odds. The goal was finally
reached when the last obligation of the Waterville Town
Company had been paid. They were left practically
penniless, or at best, with very little money ; yet they
were content to wait until time should lift them out of the
trough of the sea upon the waves of commercial activity
again, which they fully believed would come.
When "Vance started for Gold Bluff, he said he might
see them again in a couple of weeks, and again, he might
166
GRA V ROCKS.
not see them for a year or longer. He was wholly unde-
"cided what to do.
Arriving at Gold Bluff in the evening, Vance made a
hasty toilet and called upon the woman he secretly loved
so devotedly. She welcomed him warmly. Soon after,
they were seated in the little parlor where Vance had
spent so many happy evenings.
The Colonel greeted him enthusiastically. The open
grate was crackling and burning cheerily with a bright
wood fire, and seemed to add warmth to the welcome
extended.
"Am delighted to see yo', Mr. Gilder,
I am indeed, suh. We have at [last
reached the 400 foot level. Tempo'ary
embarrassments will soon be relegated
into antiquity, yes, suh ; a few days
longer, a few days mo' of waitin', suh,
and the struggle for a livin' will be oveh
with. No matteh how much we may
fight against it, we are bound to be
wealthy. Of cou'se it'll take a few days yet, but only a
few."
It was evident that the Colonel was greatly in earnest.
It was a welcome hope to Vance. He briefly related to
the Colonel and Touise concerning the depression at
Waterville, but that he still had hopes that eventually—
he did not pretend to say exactly when, but some time in
the future—his investment in Waterville town lots would
turn out all right.
" On gen'al principles," said Colonel Bonifield, " I am
not favo'able to real estate spec'lations. I presume, suh,
the reason is I hm-.v so vehy little about them, but when
GRAY ROCKS.
167
it comes to a mine, suh, 'specially like Gray Rocks, I
inva'ably know, suh, what I am talkin' about. Rouise,"
said the Colonel, looking at his daughter, "let us have
some music. I see Mr. Gilder is vehy tired, and we will
talk no mo' business this evenin'."
Louise opened the piano and sang for them. There
was a plaintive sweetness in the girl's voice that made
Vance's heart pulse with delicious contentment. Hope
played back and forth among the chords as the music
swelled and surged in sweet, symphonious strains. While
she was singing, he felt how easy it would be to declare
his love, but when she had ceased, and the last vibrations
of music had died away, he knew he lacked the courage.
Vance would be called a brave man in the daily walks
of life, and yet, as Louise's lover, he was the most arrant
of cowards.
CHAPTER XX.
THB STAGE IS ROÊBEû.
HE next morning Vance met his old
acquaintance, Hank Casey.
" Good morning, Mr. Casey," said
Vance, cheerily.
"Hello, pardner," was the laconic
and somewhat dejected reply.
" I haven't seen you for some time, "
said Vance.
"No, I've been prospectin' 'round
these 'ere diggin's, but I guess I won't stay much longer.
The court decided agin Steve Gibbons an' me. I think
I'll go back to Butte City afore long. She's the pertest
minin' camp in the 'hul country."
"You say the court has decided against you?" repeated
Vance.
" Yes," he replied, " Steve Gibbons an' me had a law
suit agin' Rufus Grim over the Peacock. B. Webster
Legal is a pretty cute lawyer, an' for a time he made it
bilin' hot for old Grim, but somehow on the show-down
we got done up. It don't make much difference how cute
a feller's lawyer is, when the court's prejudiced all out o'
shape. I sometimes think old Grim has a 'nuf sight bet¬
ter title to the court of this 'ere district than he has to the
Peacock mine."
"Your friend Gibbons," said Vance, "told me some-
168
GÄAV ROCKS.
169
thing of this law suit, and I rather expected, with the
assistance of an attorney like B. Webster Begal, you
would succeed in establishing your claim. You have my
sympathy if an injustice has been done you."
"Oh, it wa'n't no fault of Bawyer Legal, I can tell you.
He's a hummer, and a mighty social chap in the bargain;
but this 'ere game isn't played to a finish yet, pardner,
not by several great, big moves on the chess board. You
see, we've appealed it to the higher courts, but they're so
dangnation slow that a feller had better get a hustle on
hisself while he's waitin' for a decision or he'll starve.
When old Grim has his neck broken, honest people may
then get their just deserts." He seemed dejected, and
soon after took his leave, saying that he was going into
the mountains to do a little prospecting.
The Peacock mine was constantly increasing its output
of the yellow metal. Nearly every stage carried shipments
of gold bullion to the mints. Rufus Grim was growing
richer and more pompous. His satellites and admirers no¬
ticeably increased after the courts had decided in his favor.
In the meantime the pumps in Gray Rocks had broken
down and delayed the work several weeks. Vance was in
a state of feverish anxiety. He longed to be relieved from
the mental strain and know whether he was a half owner
in a gold mine that produced in paying quantities, or only
a half owner in a worthless shaft in the mountain side.
He retired one evening at an early hour, tired out and
thoroughly disgusted with his achievements in the west.
He was awakened about two o'clock in the morning by a
great commotion going on below. Hastily dressing him¬
self, he went down to the bar-room, where he found
everything was wild with excitement.
170
GRAY ROCKS.
The stage coach had been robbed, and it was reported
that Steve Gibbons was dead. Hasty preparations were
being made to form a posse and start in pursuit of the
highwaymen. The express company had some heavy
consignments of gold bullion sent from the Peacock mine,
and it was reported missing. Vance signified his willing¬
ness to join in the pursuit, and was
furnished with a horse, and soon after
they started pell-mell down the moun¬
tain road from Gold Bluff in the
direction of Waterville, to the point
where the robbery had taken place.
Rufus Grim offered $1,000 for the
capture of the -perpetrators, which,
together with a large smn offered by
Matice was awakened. the express compauy, stimulated a
feverish interest in the chase.
The sun was just coming up when they reached the
place where the robbers had sallied forth from a neigh¬
boring mountain gorge the morning before and committed
their lawless work. About two miles beyond, they found
the only two passengers of the ill-fated stage coach. A
gentleman and his wife from the east had been visiting
Colonel Boast, the rich rancher who lived near Gold
Bluff, and were returning to their eastern home. The
gentleman had been relieved of his wallet, containing
some $2,000, also his watch, diamond pin, and his wife of
her jewelry. They were left in a destitute condition, and
were waiting to take the next stage back to Gold Bluff to
secure such aid from Colonel Boast as would enable them
to continue their homeward journey.
They said there were five of the robbers. "When they
GRA r ROGAIS.
171
commanded Steve Gibbons to stop, he whipped up his
horses, and received a bullet through his body for his
attempted bravery. He fell from the stage coach and
sustained serious injuries. The robbers quickly stopped
the horses, relieved the two passengers of their posses-
They started pell tnell down the mountain road.
sions, secured the express matter and started for the moun¬
tain wilds, taking with them the four dapple-gray horses
that Steve Gibbons had prided himself so much in driving.
Gibbons had been carefully cared for by the mountain
rancher and his wife, where the two passengers were
172
GJ?A V ROCKS.
stopping. A physician had been sent for and dressed his
wounds. He said Gibbons would get well; the bullet
had struck a rib and glanced off.
After learning these meager details, the posse pushed
on into the mountains in hot pursuit. They were under
command of the sheriff of the county. The trail of the
desperadoes was easily followed. Along in the afternoon,
the sheriff called a halt for refreshments. The horses
were tethered with lariats to some trees that grew near a
mountain stream, and permitted to graze while the men
refreshed themselves with lunches which they had
brought along.
"We're twenty-four hours behind the rascals," said
the sheriff*, "and I don't know whether we'll overtake
them or not." Some of the men were eager to go on, and
others were ready to give up the chase. After a rest of
an hour or such a matter, the order was given to again
mount, and the trail was followed until darkness set in.
Sleeping on the ground with the starry canopy for a cov¬
ering was a new experience for Vance, but he was deter¬
mined not to show the white feather. What others
endured he would endure.
About ten o'clock the next morning, they came to a
mountain gorge and followed the trail to a point where it
seemed quite impossible for a horseman to ascend, it was
so steep and rugged. The sheriff and a few of his men
dismounted and went on ahead, looking for the trail.
They found horses' tracks, but where could they have
gone? The grass was deep and heavy in the center of
the gulch, and fringed with trees and boulders on either
side. Finally the sheriff returned and reported the trail
as lost.
G/?A y JÍOCKS.
173
"They have evidently come into this 'pocket'of a
canon to throw us off their trail. We will have to return
to the mouth of the gorge and see in what other direction
the trail leads. ' '
The afternoon was spent in searching for the lost trail.
Night overtook the party again, and rations were very
short. Their meal was a frugal one, and far from satis¬
fying the hunger of men who had ridden hard all day.
The horses were securely fastened and the party lay down
to sleep. Vance made his bed on some bunch grass that
grew under the wide-spreading branches of a mountain
pine. He could plainly hear the rippling of a stream
which ran near bj^, and when deep silence settled down
over the landscape, save the occasional snort of one of the
horses, the singing of the stream grew louder and louder.
The smell of pine added to the deliciousness of his novel
and strange surroundings. Weariness soon overcame the
discomforts of his improvised bed, and he sank to sleep.
Suddenly he awoke in the middle of the night, but found
everyone else was deep in slumber, save the two guards
that had been left on duty a few yards from the camp.
The stars were winking at him from 'above; a wolf was
howling a dismal cadence, and was answered by another
far away in a different direction. An owl hooted its dis¬
cordant strain from the dead branch of a tree a short
distance away.
He closed his eyes, and thought of the wonderful
change that a few months had brought into his life; but
these thoughts one after another vanished; and still other
fancies went pell-mell through his imagination in the
panorama of thought. Presently a face appeared on this
mental canvas—so sweet, so tender, so trusting, and
174
GjRA V ROCKS.
wreathed in that smile he knew so well. He started,
opened his eyes, and murmured, ' ' I/Duise. ' '
The wolf howled again in the distance, and he thought
he detected a snappish twang in its concluding barks,
and wondered if it foreboded danger. Occasionally one
of the horses would snort and stamp on the ground, and
then go on munching, munching, the grass on which
they were feeding. Finally he dozed again and slept.
He thought it was only a moment afterward, when some¬
one shook his shoulder and told him to get up. He
opened his ej^es and found it was morning.
He hastily sprang up and found there was considerable
excitement among his associates. The sheriff was miss¬
ing. About a half hour later he came into camp and
said he had been out looking for the trail, but could find
nothing of it. He said they might as well return home.
Vance was not sorry of this decision, for he was hungry
and tired and sore. There were mutterings, however,
among some of the sheriff's posse, and they whispered
among themselves as if they suspected their chief of
crooked work.
It took them two days to return to Gold Bluff. They
found Steve Gibbons at the hotel, and able to sit up. The
robbers had all worn masks, and it was impossible for
him to give a description of any of them. The represent¬
ative of the express company was evidently disappointed
that the sheriff had not been able to find the desperadoes;
$10,000 of gold bullion had been stolen, as well as other
valuable express matter.
A few days later, Steve Gibbons declared that he was
able to resume his place on the stage coach, but it trans¬
pired that two of his bondsmen had asked to be relieved.
G RA V ROCJ^S.
175
This was an insinuation that some one regarded him as
an accomplice in the unfortunate stage robbery. He inves¬
tigated and found it was Rufus Grim who had .advised
two of his bondsmen to be a little careful. During the
day, through Vance's assistance, Gibbons succeeded in
giving a satisfactory bond.
That evening, a little the worse for drink, he accosted
Rufus Grim at the post ofl&ce, where the Gold Bluff vill¬
agers were wont to congregate on the
arrival of the evening coach.
Steve Gibbons was evidently the agres-
sor. "Dook'ee here, Mr. Grim," said
Steve Gibbons, approaching him, "you've
been interferin' with me for a good many
years, and it's time you was lettin' up. ' '
' ' I don't know, Mr. Gibbons, ' ' said
Grim, ' ' that I have ever interfered with
Gibbons is hilarious, you. I have plenty of business of my
own to look after, without bothering with other people's. ' '
* ' That's all right, pardner, " said Gibbons, ' ' but there's
somebody likely to wish they'd never been born if they
don't quit foolin' with me. You advised some of my
bondsmen to take their names off from the bond, but I've
got other friends, and jes' as many of 'em as you have,
and don't you forget it!"
"There must be some mistake, Mr. Gibbons," said
Grim, very coolly.
"I know," said Gibbons," "jes' what I'm talkin'
about. You have tried to infer that I was mixed up in
the robbery of the stage coach, and I say you are an un¬
principled old scoundrel, and a liar in the bargain. If I
was as strong as I was before I was shot, I'd maul the
176
GjRA y ROCKS.
earth with you. You stole the Peacock mine from Hank
Casey an' me, an' I've my suspicions that you bought
judge and jury to beat us in our law suit."
One would have thought that Grim would have become
very angry, but instead, he tried to pacify the irate and
angry Steve Gibbons. It seemed to anger Gibbons
beyond description that he could not disturb the even
temper of Rufus Grim, and finally, in a burst of anger at
Grim, Gibbons said: "You'd better have your life
insured, old man, for somebody's goin' to be revenged,
and the day of judgment ain't very far 'way, nuther."
At this threat. Grim turned quickly and reached for
his revolver. Gibbons was unarmed. A moment later.
Grim seemed to master himself, and turning away, walked
down the street.
Hank Casey put his arm through Steve Gibbon's and
led him to the hotel. Gibbons was hilarious, but Casey
felt that in his hilarity he had been very indiscreet. The
next morning, however, he mounted the stage coach on
his regular run between Gold Bluff" and Waterville.
CHAPTER XXI.
REACHING THE; 400 FOOT TFVFI<.
N the excitement incident to Col.
Bonifield's cross-cutting into the
vein, the stage robbery, and the
bewildering evenings spent in the
society of Louise, Vance quite for¬
got about his hopes and fears rel¬
ative to his investment in Water-
ville.
One evening he was out for a
walk near the Bonifields'. Louise was standing on the
porch. He lifted his hat, and she waved a dainty little
handkerchief, and came down the road to meet him.
There was a troubled expression on her face which Vance
had never seen before. It cut him to the heart, and he
feared some great calamity had befallen her.
"Mr. Gilder," said she, after the morning salutation,
' ' my father is very despondent this morning, and while
he desires greatly to see you, yet he is so broken down
that I do not know whether he will be able to see anyone
until this afternoon. ' '
"Why, what has happened?" asked Vance, in alarm.
They were walking along toward the Bonifield residence
as they talked.
' ' So you have not heard ?' ' said Louise, looking up with
her big, blue eyes, Vance looked at her in astonishment.
r¿ 177
178
G RA V ROCR-3.
" You have not heard," she repeated, "that they have
finished cross-cutting ?' '
"No," replied Vance.
" Yes, they have finished the work," repeated Louise,
and then almost broke down in tears. He led her to a
seat on the broad porch where the morning sun shone full
and warm, and begged her to calm herself, and tell him
what had happened to her father.
"Is it not quite enough?" said she, looking up at
Vance through her tears, "another disappointment is
father's only reward."
Vance was shocked, for this disappointment meant a
great deal to him.
" Is it possible," he ejaculated, "and your father was
so confident only the other night !"
"You will not be angry with father?" said Louise,
laying her hand on Vance's arm.
" Angry," replied Vance, "no; why should I be ? He
and I are jointly interested in results. If they are un¬
favorable, why, he cannot be more disappointed than I
am. Had he been successful, we would have been equal
partners as well."
" Thank you," said Louise, " I pity my poor father so
much. ' ' She dried her eyes a little and then went on :
' ' Aunt Sally was so querulous with papa last evening
when she heard the result, and it made papa very un¬
happy ; indeed, he did not sleep any during the night,
though I have comforted him as well as I could. ' '
"And have not slept a wink?" said Vance, looking at
her keenly.
" How could I, when papa was so troubled?"
Vance was silent. Presently he spoke: "I will con-
GRAY ROCKS. 179
fess I ne^-er was more disappointed in my life. I was so
hopeful your father would be successful. Mind, " he con¬
tinued, hastily, glancing at Louise, " I attach no blame
to him."
"Thank you," she murmured, and Vance went on,
"No, I do not blame him, neither do I blame myself.
Hundreds, yes, thousands have pursued the same course.
Some of them have been successful, and others, ourselves
included, have not. I regret that your father should
180
G/?A V ROCKS.
have spent so many years of his life in that useless pros¬
pect shaft."
"There is hope yet, Mr. Gilder."
" Hope," said Vance quickly, "where?"
"The ore," she continued, "is richer than at the 300
foot level."
' ' And do you believe —?" commenced Vance
" Do not ask me, please, Mr. Gilder^, what I believe at
this time. Mr. Grim was here early this morning and
left a proposition with papa. He has not the heart, he
says, to tell you of it, and requested me to do so. You
know, Mr. Grim," she continued, "is said to be a very
good business man. He has examined the ore found at
the 400 foot level, and says it is much richer than at the
300 foot level. He offers now, if you and papa will give
him a half interest in the mine, to furnish the money to
sink the shaft to the 500 foot level. ' '
" So," said Vance, reflectively. Presently he said : " If
Rufus Grim has confldence to go to the 500 foot level,
why not your father and I?"
" But it will cost $6,000, Mr. Gilder, and neither papa
nor I could think of asking you to put any more money
into Gray Rocks. ' '
" I do not think your father should take it to heart so;
indeed, I do not."
' ' He does not care for himself, and neither do I care
for myself, Mr. Gilder, but we do care for you. '
Vance started and the blood mounted to his face
' ' You have been so kind to my father and placed such
unbounded confldence in his judgment, and now it seems
as if it were impossible for him ever to repay you, unless
—, " she hesitated.
GRA Y ROCKS.
181
" Unless what?" asked Vance, impatiently.
" Unless you would be willing to join father in giving
a half interest in Gray Rocks to Mr. Grim, and let him
go on and develop the mine."
" What does your father advise ? What does he say ?"
" He wants to go on to the 500 foot level, Mr. Gilder,
and says he will give his own half interest in Gray Rocks
to Mr. Grim rather than let the work stop at the 400 foot
level. Father believes that at the 500 foot level they will
strike ore as rich as any that has been discovered on the
Peacock, and it looks as if Mr. Grim thought the same
way, else he would not be so willing to advance the
money."
" Have you confidence in Mr. Grim ?" asked Vance.
"We have always distrusted him," replied Uouise,
"but perhaps he is not so bad and mean as we have
thought. ' '
" And do you think," asked Vance, "that ore will be
discovered at the 500 foot level ?"
" I don't know," she replied, " but I hope so."
"Would it not be better," urged Vance, "to give it
all up and leave these wild mountains and return to
civilization, so to speak, where your father could enjoy
the remaining years of his life in peace and contentment ?"
His words were full of earnestness, and he spoke with
great deliberation.
' ' If such an opportunity should present itself, ' ' said
Uouise, ' ' I know my father would refuse it, for he is so
high-spirited, and moreover, he believes that a little more
work, and a little more time and expense on Gray Rocks,
and his prophecy will be fulfilled."
Vance rose to go, but still lingéred near the beautiful
182
GI^A V ROCKS.
girl, as if she were a balm to his evident disappointment.
Finally he said : " You say it will require $6,000. Now,
if you had $6,000, Miss Louise, and it was every dollar
you had in the world, what would you do with it?"
' ' I would sink the shaft on Gray Rocks to the 500 foot
level, ' ' she replied quickl}'. ' ' Shall I tell my father, ' '
she asked, as Vance started to go, " that you are favor¬
able to Mr. Grim's proposition ?"
"No," replied Vance, doggedly, "I have no confi¬
dence in Rufus Grim. You may tell your father that I
say not to worry any more. With your permission, I will
return in a couple of hours, and will then be glad to see
him. ' '
Louise seemed ignorant of any knowledge of Vance's
passionate Ipve for her. Her mind and thoughts were so
entirely in sympathy with her father, whom she loved so
dearly and so devotedly. As Vance bade her good-bye,
she took his outstretched hand as if he had been her
benefactor, instead of only her father's friend.
"Your judgment," said Vance, "has decided me; we
will go on blasting—down, down, down—through solid
rock toward an unknown doom. How it will end re¬
mains to be seen. " Before Louise could make a reply,
he had turned and walked rapidly away toward his hotel.
Looking carefully over his accounts, he found he still
had to his credit, in the Chemical National Bank of New
York city, barely $6,000. He paced the floor for a full
half-hour in deep thought. Finally he paused and said
aloud, ' ' she would advance her last dollar to sink the
shaft to the 500 foot level—a weak, little, lovely woman,
yet stronger in her affections and devotion than a regi¬
ment of soldiers. Yes, I will do it ; I will gamble my
GRA V ROCKS.
183
last dollar—for it is nothing better than a gamble, and
yet—^well, who knows? We may strike it after all."
He drew a check for the amount, making it payable to
Colonel Ben Bonifield. Before signing it, he looked at it
long and thoughtfully. "Why do I do this? Is it my
faith in Gray Rocks? No. Is it my faith in Colonel
Bonifield? No. Is it my faith in Louise ? Yes, a'thous¬
and times, yes." His hand trembled a little as he signed
his name to the check. It was the last throw of the dice.
He felt that he had in a measture passed his word to
Louise. There was a question of daily bread that must
now be solved. The question was immediately ahead of
him. He would call on Colonel Bonifield and then devote
himself to the bread question. Yes, he would solve it.
Strong with resolution, and with a judgment sadly
warped because of his love for Louise, he returned to the
Bonifield home. Louise met him at the door, and he
went with her into the spacious parlor, where a wood fire
was burning brightly in the open grate.
' ' I delivered your message to my father, ' ' she said,
' ' and he has fallen into a restful sleep. '
"Do not disturb'him," said Vance, " in this envelope
is a check for $6,000. Tell him to start to-morrow morn¬
ing for the 500 foot level. ' '
The impulsive Louise took the proffered envelope from
Vance with hands that trembled noticeably, while two
great tears dimmed her lustrous blue eyes. ' ' Why have
you done this?" she asked.
It is probable that Vance would then and there have
told her why, had not Colonel Bonifield appeared in the
door. "Mr. Gilder," said he, "Yo'r presence in my
house brings sunshine with it. Yo' know the worst.
184
G/ÍA y ROCKS.
Louise tells me she has informed yo of the unfo'tunate
geological fo'mation to be found at the 400 foot level in
Gray Rocks?"
Louise turned from Vance to her father while he was
speaking, and buried her face on his breast, weeping in
stifléd sobs. When Colonel Bonifield asked her why she
was weeping, she handed him the envelope, and pillowed
her head deeper on his breast. He opened the envelope
and carefully scanned the check. The old man's eyes
were dimmed with tears of gratitude. One arm was
about his daughter, and the other he extended toward
Vance, who accepted the proffered hand.
"Sub," said the Colonel, "Yo' oveh-
poweh me with yo'r confidence. I have
been workin' away so long on Gray
Rocks, sub, that I can't blame my friends
if they should lose heart. But, sub,
f somethin' keeps a tellin' me that my
effo'ts will yet be rewarded. Yo' honor
me by sharin' my confidence in the out¬
come of Gray Rocks ; yo' do, indeed.
Colonel. sub. There's goodi blood, Mr. Gilder,
cou'sin' through yo'r veins, and there's a crown awaitin'
yo' when once we've reached the 500 foot level ; yes, suh.
I may neveh have mentioned it to yo', biit I once told j-o'r
father that if he would stay by Gray Rocks, it would
make him a millionaire. I have forgotten whether I ever
made the obse'vation to yo' or not, but I wish to assiure
yo' at this time, Mr. Gilder, in the presence of Louise,
suh, that yo'r confidence in Gray Rocks is well-founded,
and she will make yo' richer than all the possessions left
yo' by yo'r worthy father ; yes, suh, much richer."
GR A Y ROCKS.
185
Ivouise dried lier tears and soon was cheerful as a
mountain thrush that had never known a sorrow. The
old Colonel declared he had never felt better in his life,
and that work should be commenced early the following
morning.
On his way back to the hotel, Vance cálled at the office
of the Gold Bluff Trospector.
" Where is your typo?" asked Vance in the course ol
the conversation.
"Haven't got any," replied the proprietor, "he left
this morning on the stage. We'll not be able to get out
an issue of the paper this week unless we find someone
that can set type. Say," said he, "why can't I sell my
printing office to you ?' '
" I'm not able to buy," replied Vance.
" Well, I'll lease it to you."
"On what terms," asked Vance.
" I'd lease it to you for one year for half its earnings,."
replied the good-natured proprietor, who never was known
to have enough energy to walk across the street to solicit
an advertisement.
' ' What will it earn in a year ?' '
"Oh, twelve or fifteen hundred dollars—subscriptions
and advertisements. I own the building. I call this the
reception and editorial room ; the other is the composing
room, while the one back of where we are sitting is where
the printer usually sleeps. ' '
In Vance's college days, he had been one of the trio
who had edited a college paper, set their own type, made
up their own forms and circulated the issue after night,
contenting themselves, for a compensation, with the
general wonderment of their fellow-students as to who
GliAV ywc/is.
were the publishers. He felt that he was capable of act¬
ing as type-setter, as well as writing editorials, on the
Gold Bluff Prospector. He examined the room designated
as the sleeping apartment of the printer, and found it
comfortable, yet very plain.
He told the proprietor he thought very favorably of his
proposition, and believed he would accept it. The print¬
ing was done on an old-fashioned hand press, which
would require the assistance of a boy for a couple of hours
once a week. Aside from this, Vance believed he was
competent to handle all the details and labor connected
with the paper. Before he retired that night, arrange¬
ments had all been made, the lease
drawn and signed, and Vance com¬
menced operations the next morning
as the proprietor of the Gold Bluff
Prospector. He moved his trunk and
personal effects into the shabb}^ back
room, to be used in the future as his
sleeping apartment. He settled his
- hotel bill, and found that he had less
Vance moves. than $2,-oo ill liis pockct On which to
begin the struggle for bread.
It was a new experience, not without its novelty and
excitement in anticipation, however. After he had
arranged his room quite tidily, he commenced setting
type, and smiled good humoredly to himself as he thought
of the change from the great New York 'Banner to the
Prospector. Yes, he had made sacrifices ; and would he
not willingly make any more to remain near the woman
he* loved with a love that surpasseth understanding.
CHAPTER XXII.
starting the: boom.
IXTEEN hours a day for three days was
Vance's first experience on the Prospector.
All day and far into the evening he set
type and made up forms, until finally the
paper was ready to be brought out. It
contained.the retiring proprietor's bow to
the public, and Vance's announcement.
The next evening he called at the
Bonifields'. Eouise greeted him more
kindly than ever. The Colonel, after assuring him that
excellent progress was being made on Gray Rocks, turned
the conversation to Vance's new venture.
"Vehy creditable, suh; vehy creditable, indeed," said
he, glancing at a copy of the Prospector which he had
been reading. "Eouise and I think yo've made an
excellent beginnin', suh, vehy excellent."
" Indeed we do," said Eouise; " we have often heard,
though, that editors were quite exclusive, and we didn't
know but that was the reason you have not called on us
for so long a time."
"Well, that is the reason," responded Vance, jest¬
ingly. ' ' As managing editor of the Prospector, I have
been exclusively engaged in setting type, making up
forms, etc."
They laughed at Vance's remark, and complimented
187
188
ORA V ROCKS.
hiin ou being able to impersonate all the functionaries of
a printing establishment. In the midst of their conversa¬
tion, Aunt Sally appeared at the door of the parlor, and
courtesying low to Vance, said;
" Good evenin', Mr. Gilder; I 'low I've been wantin'
to see yo' fo' some time, suh."
\'ance returned the salutation by rising and bowing
politely. As he sat down he noticed the Colonel was
greatly disturbed, as if he feared a storm was approaching.
" Mr. Gilder," commenced Aunt Sally, " I consider it
my dut}' to inform yo' that yo' are makin' as big a fool of
yo'self as my brother is of hisself."
" Come, sister," said the Colonel, " come, come."
" Benjamin, " said Aunt Sally, looking hard at him over
her spectacles, ' ' I shall have my say. I consideh it a
duty that I owe Mr. Gilder to inform him that he is
squanderin' his money. There is not a chance in ten
thousand; no, suh, not one, fo' yo' to eveh get back a
penny of the money }'o'\-e given my brother. Besides,
yo're only encouragin' Benjamin to fool his time away.
I have mighty neah worn my life out takin' care of him,
\brgie and L,oui.se. \'irginia has a good deal of sense—a
heap mo', I am proud to say, than Benjamin or Touise
has."
"I hope, Mr. Gilder," obsen'ed the Colonel, "that
yo'll remember an obse'vation I made ;some time ago in
regard to my sister "
"What have yo' been sayin' about me ? " asked Aunt
Sally, and she looked threateningly at him. The Colonel
paid no attention to his sister's remark, and went on :
" Yo' will remember I obse'ved at one time, suh, that
my sister was a most ext'ao'dina'y woman; yes, suh,
G RA V ROCKS.
189
most ext'ao'dina'y; she is possessed of a most rema'kable
intellect. There is, however, a slight disagreement in
regard to our judgment relative to Gray Rocks. She is
vehy set in her ways, vehy, indeed; and, I am sorry to
There are times, sub, when it's necessarv for m$ to put my foot down.
say, doesn't share in our belief relative to the final out¬
come of our minin' property."
" Benjamin," said Aunt Sally, still looking at him over
her spectacles, " it is not a difference of opinion; it's
a vehy wide one, indeed. If yo' had a hund'ed thousand
190
GRA y ROCKS.
dollars to-day, suli, yo'd be grub-stakin' all the pesky
mines in the mountains around Gold Bluff"; yo' know yo'
would. There are times, suh, when it's necessary fo' me
to put my foot down, and I ain't goin' to neglect my duty
any longer. Mr. Gilder has got to know the true situa¬
tion, and if he has no mo' sense than to go on givin' yo'
money to dig a worthless hole in the earth, why, I'll
wash my hands of him, and have the consolation of
knowin' that I told him befo'hand what he might expect. "
"Vance would have been amused, had he not observed
the pained expression on Touise's face and the evident
discomfiture of Colonel Bonifield. In reality, it was an
opportune time for him to make an observation that he
had long wanted understood between the Colonel and
himself, and therefore he said:
" I am highly honored. Miss Bonifield, by your advice.
Your brother, the Colonel, has been very enthusiastic in
regard to Gray Rocks. ' '
' ' Don't I know it?' ' interrupted Aunt Sally. " Haven't
I told him he was makin a fool of hisself ? "
" "Well," continued "Vance, " I will not go quite so far
in my remarks as that, but I will say this—that it would
please me very much to have the Colonel's assurance that
if he fails to find the wealth he has been looking for so
many years when the 500 foot level is reached, that he
will abandon work on Gray Rocks and accept certain
offers of a pecuniary-nature in the east, which I have in
mind."
"Well, if I knew," replied Aunt Sally, "that there
was to be an end to this thing, I'd have mo' patience in
waitin' but my land! he no sooner gets to one level than
he wants to push on to the next hund'ed foot level, and
GRA V ROCKS.
191
goodness gracious! there's no end to it! Why, if Benja¬
min had his way, and his life was spared long enough, I
'low he'd have a hole clear through the earth!"
The Colonel was noticeably disturbed. He had risen
and was walking back and forth in a nervous, yet digni¬
fied way.
" Yo'r request, Mr. Gilder," he finally said, "shall be
complied with, sub", and in complyin' with it, I hope that
I also pacify my sister. I give yo' my word of honor,
suh, that when the 500 foot level is reached, and we have
cross-cut into the vein of wealth that I feel positive, yes,
suh, positive, is waitin' to be brought to the light of day
—if, I say, we should again be disappointed, then I am
ready to give up my labors on Gray Rocks; yes suh, give
up my life's work. Of course, suh, yo' cannot undeh-
stand and perhaps neveh will, the magnitude of this
promise." There were tears in the Colonel's voice, as
well as in his eyes, when he ceased speaking.
"Thank the Lord!" exclaimed Aunt Sally, as she
raised her hands in an attitude of supplication and
thanksgiving. "I feel now there's goin' to be an end of
this tomfoolery, and I'll not say another word, nary a
word, until the 500 foot level is reached. ' ' She turned to
Vance as she started to leave the room, and bade him
good-evening, and assured him that in her opinion she
had accomplished a ' ' mighty sight of good. ' '
As soon as the door closed behind her, Vance turned to
the Colonel and begged him not to take the slightest
notice of what his sister had said, for he knew her pecul¬
iarities and thought nothing of them. He also thanked
him for his promise. Vance's words seemed to relieve
the Colonel greatly, and he became almost himself again
192
GRA F ROCKS.
before the evening was over, and narrated to Vance with
a fair degree of enthusiasm how nicely the pumps and
other machinery in the mine were working.
Afterwards Louise favored them with music, and Vance
quite forgot himself, so pleasantly was he entertained,
until, glancing at his watch, he found it was almost
eleven o'clock. Soon after, he took his departure,
and with a light heart wended his way to the printing
office.
His infatuation for Louise was of an ennobling char¬
acter. He was a fatalist in this: that he believed when
the time came for him to speak his heart to her he would
have courage to do so, and contented himself in loving
blindly on.
When he awoke next morning he found a heavy snow
had fallen. Nothing like it had happened in Gold Bluff
before in many 3'ears. A great many of the mines were
necessarily shut down on account of the scarcity of fuel
to operate the engines. During the next four weeks
snows kept falling heavier and heavier, and in a measure
cut off" communication with the outer world.
Vance applied himself industriously to his paper, wid¬
ening his acquaintanceship among the people of Gold
Bluff, solicited advertisements, and succeeded far beyond
his expectations.
His friends complimented him on the neat appearance
of the TroSpeRtor. It was filled with excellent reading
matter, and its circulation was constantly increasing.
Another heavy snow storm during the holida} s ren¬
dered the roads quite impassable and finally work on
Gray Rocks was necessarily suspended, nor was it re¬
sumed until late the following spring.
GRAY ROCKS.
193
In the meantime matters were progressing slowly in
the great Thief River Valley. There had been no meet¬
ing of the Waterville Town Company. Homer Winthrop
and Marcus Donald regularly opened up the Town Com¬
pany's ofi&ce every morning and closed it every evening.
Time hung heavy on their hands. Thus passed the
winter months away in weary waiting for a boom in real
estate that seemed stubborn and would not come.
Dick Ballard called one afternoon in early April, and
suggested that his finances were running rather low, and
if it would be convenient he would like a _ j,
check for Homer Winthrop's board. Win-
throp was a proud fellow and disliked to -
admit that he was, in the ordinary parlance,
Homer suggested to Ballard the advis- -A-
ability of purchasing a few lots in Eagle's
Addition to Waterville. ' ' Or, ' ' said Win- i |w \l| ^
throp, "We can let you have a couple of 'Ijík
lots adjoining your hotel. You've been a -sMard wants pay.
good firiend of ours and we would let you have them
cheap, awfully cheap. ' '
Dick Ballard sat back in his chair, inserted his thumbs
in the arm-holes of his vest, and said: "Now, lookee
here, Winthrop, I have been your friend, haven't I ? "
Winthrop acknowledged that he had. " I've been your
friend, Mr. Donald, haven't I?" said Ballard, pointing
his index finger straight at Donald.
' ' I think you have, " replied Donald, laughingly.
"Yes, I've been Colonel Alexander's friend; I've been
General Ira House's friend; I've been B. Webster Eegal's
friend; in fact, gentlemen, I've been a friend to the
194
GJ?A V ROCKS.
Waterville Town Company from start to finish." He
brought his hand down upon the table in front of him
with great vehemence as he made this remark. "Yes
sir," he went on, "I have been a friend to you and to
your enterprise, but when it comes. Homer Winthrop, to
selling your uncle any Waterville town lots, why, you
don't know me. Oh, no; Dick Ballard usually knows
which side his bread's buttered on, and, between our¬
selves, I wouldn't give you a square meal of victuals for
any lot you've got in Eagle's addition. No, sir, Mr.
Winthrop, money is what I want, and pardon me for ob¬
serving, money is what I, politely, but nevertheless firmly,
insist that you must produce—if not to-day, perhaps to¬
morrow, and liquidate that little matter of board which
has now been running for some three months. ' '
Presently he walked over toward the window and
looked wistfully out over the sage brush landscape. ' ' The
grass is beginnin' to grow," said he, "and I see it is
startin' in the streets as well as on the beautiful lots 3^ou
have for sale. Remember, gentlemen," said Ballard, as
he turned and expectorated a vigorous " pit-tew " of
tobacco juice toward the stove, "what I have said to you
never has, nor never will, escape the lips of Dick Ballard;
no, sir, I'm your friend, but don't try to work me with
any town lots in payin' board bills."
Winthrop was noticeably non-plussed. Donald was
laughing contentedly and quietly to himself at Winthrop's
discomfiture. Ballard looked on and chuckled, as much
as to say, " I am a heap sight smarter than you fellows
give me credit for." Finally he broke the silence by
suddenly asking :
GRA Y ROCKS.
195
" Mr. Winthrop, what is your lot worth next to my
hotel?"
' ' Five hundred dollars, ' ' replied Winthrop, looking up.
' ' I hope you'll get it, ' ' said Ballard ; ' ' yes, I hope
you'll sell it for a thousand—but I'll tell you somethin',"
said he, shutting one eye and looking hard at Winthrop
with the other, "I wouldn't trade you our militia com¬
pany's new snare drum for both those condemned lots ;
no, sir, ' ' and he turned laughingly toward the door.
Just here he came face to face with Miss Virginia Boni-
field. Ballard lifted his hat and bowed low, for she was
one of his boarders who paid promptly. After speaking
pleasantly to Marcus Donald and Homer Winthrop, she
said :
' ' I am very glad you are here, Mr. Ballard, I want to
ask your ádvice." Dick Ballard was all attention, for if
there was any one thing he liked to do better than an¬
other—barring a drill exercise with his state militia com¬
pany—it was to give advice. Homer Winthrop, notice¬
ably confused, pushed the best chair forward and invited
Miss Bonifield to be seated.
' ' Thank you, ' ' said she, looking kindly at Homer,
who, in turn, flushed scarlet. ' ' What I wish to ask is in
regard to an investment in Waterville. '
"Why, in what way?" asked Dick Ballard.
' ' In regard to making a purchase of town lots as an
investment. ' '
Ballard coughed immoderately, cleared his throat several
times, " a-hemmed," got red in the face, looked helplessly
toward Marcus Donald, and finally said :
" Nothin' like it in the world. Miss Bonifield ; best in¬
vestment on earth. There's not another place in the
196
GJ?A V ROCKS.
United States will come out of the kinks like Waterville.
No, sir ; if I had a million I'd plant every dollar of it in
Waterville, every dollar. My land !" said he, glancing at
his watch, " it is three o'clock! Well, I must be goin'.''
AVith this he took up his hat and hastily left the room.
"Is this a map of the town ?" asked Miss Virgie Boni-
field, rising and approaching a map that hung on the
wall near where Marcus Donald was seated.
" Yes, that is one of the best maps that has ever been
gotten out," said Marcus Donald, adjusting his gold-
rimmed spectacles.
"And where is Eagle's Addition?" Marcus Donald
pointed it out.
' ' And what are you selling lots for in that part ot
town ?"
"Well, really. Miss Bonifield," said Donald, stammer¬
ing a little, "we haven't been selling very many lots—
that is, not recently. I will refer you to Mr. Winthrop ;
he has charge of all such matters, and perhaps he can
give you better advice than I can."
' ' But what do j>ou advise in regard to investments in
Waterville?" she asked, abruptly.
' ' Oh, you know we believe in AA^'aterville, Miss Boni¬
field ; we believe it is destined to be one of the greatest
cities in the United States. Of course there has not been
any marked activity during the past winter, but we are
expecting business to open up well, most any time now. "
She turned to Winthrop, and seating herself beside his
desk, asked him to point out what he considered one of
the most desirable corners in Eagle's Addition. Usually
Winthrop prided himself on his ability to make sales of
lots, and he was quite willing to sell to anybody rather
G/?Ay Jioœs.
197
than the woman by his side. He had been so hard
pressed for ready-money during the winter and spring
that he had shut himself out, so to speak, from all society,
for the reason that he was destitute of even spending
money of the most ordinary character. After studying
some time, he put his pencil reluctantly down on the map
and said :
' ' I consider these lots as desirable as any in Kagle's
Addition."
' ' And what are you selling them for ?' '
" We are asking $ioo a lot/' said he, "but we are not
selling any just now. Miss Bonifield, at all."
She looked at the map a few minutes, and then said,
' ' You think these are about the best lots in the Addition,
do you?"
Winthrop almost inaudibly assented.
"Well, no—hardly—Miss Bonifield; the fact is," he
faltered, ' ' we do not care to make any sales at the present
time. We are rather expecting some information a little
later ; we—we expect to hold a Town Com¬
pany meeting, and may conclude to reduce
the price of lots—and—' '
"Or you may raise the prices," said she,
looking archly at Homer. " Is it not so. ' '
' ' P—^possibly, ' ' replied Winthrop.
" Well, I wish to purchase four lots on
the corner you have indicated. Here is the
money, "said she, laying down a roll of bills
fif 1 boom starts.
on his desk, please fix up the deed and
leave it at the hotel for me as soon as it is convenient."
"But—^hold on," said Homer. She had risen and
started toward the door. " You do not mean to make a
198
GRA y ROCKS.
purchase of lots? I really have not advised it; you'd
better reconsider—think it over a few days." All of this
was stammered out by Winthrop in a hurried and con¬
fused manner.
' ' But I have considered, ' ' said Miss Virginia Bonifield,
smiling in her own imperious way. " I have fully con¬
sidered, Mr. Winthrop, and desire to make the purchase.
Good day." She was gone.
Donald sat looking over his spectacles, while an aston¬
ished and amused smile played over his "$10,000 face."
Winthrop looked at the roll of bills spread out before him,
and then turning to Marcus Donald, ejaculated, "Thank
God, the boom has started !"
CHAPTER XXIII.
RUFTJS GRIM'S AMBITION.
UFUS GRIM was not pleased
with Vance's management of
the Gold Bluff Prospector. A
number of items had appeared
in the columns of that paper
which tended to vindicate
Steve Gibbons from all suspi¬
cion or connection with the
stage coach robbery. Grim
considered this an indirect thrust at himself. His money
had made him a lion among the people of Gold Bluff, but
for some unaccountable reason he was unable to secure
Vance Gilder's good opinion.
He secretly had an ambition to represent the people of
Idaho in the halls of congress, and felt it would never do
to let matters go on with his own town paper prejudiced
against him. On several occasions he had made over¬
tures to Vance of a friendly nature, but had, invariably,
been repulsed. On one occasion he.had endeavored to
compliment Vance, and told him patronizingly, in his
uncouth, pompous way, that he was very glad such a
scholarly gentleman had charge of the 'Prospector, and
that he considered him the most refined and cultured
gentleman in Gold Bluff.
199
200
G Ti A V ROCKS.
Vance had coldly replied, "It is an admirable thing,
Mr. Grim, to be a cultured and refined man, but it is far
better to be a manly man." Grim had agreed with him,
while Vance went quietly on setting type. The rich
miner was irritated at his own lack of words when in
Vance's society. With others he was boastful as ever—
bragged of his gold, and in his own domineering way,
attempted to subdue everything with which he came in
contact. Those who knew his home life best said he was
afraid of his wife. She was all formality, and Grim, in
his way, honored her, and at the same
time, feared her. It was whi.spered
that he found more pleasure in his step¬
daughter's society than in his wife's.
Bertha, with her handsome face and
lisping speech, humored her mother's
whims of formality, and tickled the
uncouth vanity of her step-father, on
whose bounty she was dependent. She
t^m/us Grim. xvas an artful, cooing, little woman,
full of strategy and deceit, and hopelessly untruthful.
Her claudestine meetings with her sousin, Arthur Boast,
were numerous, while in her heart she felt an infatuation
for Vance Gilder, and was secretly intensely jealous of
Louise Bonifield. Outwardly, she courted Louise, and
never missed an opportunity of calling her ' ' her own dear
darling," and telling her how very pretty she was.
In the early days of June Arthur Boast returned per¬
manently to Gold Bluff, and at first paid a great deal of
attention to Louise, not as a lover, but rather as a friend
of the family, and by every artifice known to his cunning
endeavored to enlist her sympathy. He frequently
GRAY ROCKS.
201
observed that no one was his friend, and it pleased him to
hear I/mise say that ' ' she was his friend, and always had
been." He said nothing derogatory of Vance's character,
but his insinuations were of a wicked nature.
Vance was at a loss to understand why Boast had left
Waterville, especially as it was rumored that a great boom
was going on at that place.
One day Vance received a note from Arthur Boast ask¬
ing him to call at the hotel that evening. He said he
was indisposed and could not leave his room, otherwise
he would call at the printing ofi&ce.
It was after eight o'clock when Vance called at the
hotel, and was at once ushered into J. Arthur Boast's
room. He found Boast dressed as elegantly as ever, in
fact, he was scrupulously attired, and resting on a divan.
He seemed weak, and was quite pale. He no longer
spoke in a thin, piping voice, but in a quiet, manly way,
that at once interested Vance.
' ' I sent for you, Mr. Gilder, because I was lonely and
wanted to talk with you. I suppose you think I am
supremely selfish in this, as everything else, but I have
been almost sick for the last week."
"We are admonished to visit the sick," said Vance,
good-naturedly, ' ' and I am sure it is only natural that
one indisposed should like company. "
" It is very kind of you to come, I'm sure," Boast went
on, "I have been worried a good deal about a certain
misunderstanding that seemingly exists between us. "
Vance assured him that he knew of no misunder¬
standing.
"No," said Boast, "not an open misunderstanding;
but then I feel that you have misunderstood me from the
202
GRA y ROCK'S.
first, Mr. Gilder, and perhaps, in a measure, I have done
you the injustice of not always interpreting your acts as
I should have done. I do not know whether there is any
philosophy in the circumstances which seem to shape my
life or not. ' '
"We are told," said Vance, " that in our strength and
manhood we should shape circumstances rather than let
circumstances shape us."
"That's it," said Boast, " the eternal trying to shape
circumstances brings on an endless conflict, not only be¬
tween men, but a conflict with one's own self. I have
almost made up my mind that it is quite impossible for a
man to shape his destiny. Now, as a matter of fact, I
respect you, Mr. Gilder, highly, and have confldence in
your abihty and judgment. I think you are making a
great success of the Prospector. It is impossible," he
went on, "for me to tell you why I have this confidence
or this respect. I also know that you cordially dislike
me, but why, I do not know, and perhaps you could not
tell yourself."
Vance was surprised at this philosophic turn of mind,
and began to think he had misunderstood J. Arthur Boast
all along.
"I cannot help but feel complimented," said Vance,
' ' by your kind words. I will admit that I have never
stopped to analyze my feelings ^■er3■ closely in regard to
yourself, and will not deny that I have been unable to dis¬
cover any afiBnity between us. Perhaps I have misjudged
you. If so, I can do no less than make proper amends."
"You speak as if you would be my friend. " said Boast,
' ' friends with me are very scarce. My highest ambition
has ever been to make friends, and yet it requires no
GJÍA y ROCKS.
203
words of mine to tell you what a miserable failure I have
made of it all. I would like to be Rufus Grim's friend,
but he won't let me. He does everything he can to influ¬
ence my cousin, Bertha Allen, against me, but in that he
is making a complete failure. She is my friend," said he
with animation. " I suppose you know that Mrs. Grim
is very ill?"
' ' No, ' ' said Vance; ' ' I had not heard of it. "
"Yes, she has never been very rugged, and I under¬
stand her present illness is of a very serious nature. She
is so many years older than her pompous lord and master,
that it would not be surprising to hear of her death at any
time. Personally, I should regret it, not only on account
of my aunt, but also on account of Bertha. I dread to
think what may happen if my aunt should die. "
" You do not regard her sickness so seriously as that ?"
asked Vance.
"She is certainly very ill," was Boast's reply. "I
would like to go and see her, but I do not presume Rufus
Grim would let me into the house. But What I desired
most to say, ' ' continued Boast, brightening up and chang¬
ing the conversation, " is this : I would like to have you
be my friend. I wish to be yours. "
Vance was astonished, and for a moment could not
reply. Finally he said, ' ' I cannot do less, Mr. Boast,
than meet you half way in such a laudable ambition, I
am sure. ' '
' ' Ambition, " repeated Boast, ' ' what a detestable word !
I sometimes think ambition has been the cause of all my
misfortune. I have wanted wealth all my life, but have
not suceeeded to any great extent. I ought to be in
Waterville now, selling town lots and lands. There's
204
GJÍA V ROCKS.
great activity down there. I have the ambition but not
the strength. You may not know it, but my health is
seriously impaired. I do not seem to have any vitality. "
Vance expressed his .sympathy, but Boast seemingly
did not notice his remarks, and said, " if a man has á
clearly defined principle of life to follow, why cannot he
adhere to it?"
"I think he can," replied Vance. "No life, in my
judgment, has ever been a success unless a well-defined
principle of action is first laid out, and then lived
up to."
"I wish I could believe your philosophy," said Boast.
' ' The dual nature in me continually divides me. I go to
sleep at night filled with the most laudable ambitions ; I
wake up the next morning and pursue an entirely differ¬
ent course, and therein lies the conflict—but I know, Mr.
Gilder, I am boring you."
Vance assured him that he was not, but soon afterward
took his leave, and as he walked along toward his home.
'Til be his frUnd." fifty-six times. Bertha Allen
was prostrated with grief, .while the rich mine owner had
the entire sympathy of the people of Gold Bluff. Rufus
Grim did nothing by halves, and there could not have
he mused thoughtfully over his inter¬
view with J. Arthur Boast. AVhat a
different light had been thrown on his
character ! Yes," said he, "I will be
his friend. I have misunderstood
him."
The next morning the town was
startled by the announcement that
Mrs. Grim was dead. The church bell
GR A Y ROCKS.
205
been a more splendid show of grief than that for which
his arrangements provided.
The works on the Peacock were stopped, and the men,
on full pay, invited to the funeral. It was an imposing
affair. The crape on Mr. Grim's hat was of the widest
pattern, and jet studs took the place of his diamond. His
black suit fit his plump form well, and he seemed subdued
with genuine grief. Bertha Allen looked very fair and
interesting in her costume of black. She clung depen-
dently to Mr. Grim's arm during the burial service, and
looked unusually pretty, notwithstanding the marks of
grief and weeping upon her handsome face ; indeed, she
enlisted the sympathy of all who saw her.
The following day work on the Peacock was started up
again, and the deep, resounding blasts down below the
earth's surface told of more gold flowing towards the
coffers of Rufus Grim.
The machinery in Gray Rocks mine had been behaving
badly. Several big breaks had occurred, and work had
been delayed at one time for two weeks. The days glided
by, and October had come again. The rocks high up the
mountain, overlooking Gold Bluff, reflected the autumn
sun, while the forests on the mountain side were ablaze
with fiery autumn tints—nature's superb clothing.
Colonel Bonifleld had ceased, in part, to be the enthu¬
siast of former days. Perhaps he felt that he had passed
his word to give up work on Gray Rocks if disappoint¬
ment should again reward his efforts, and possibly it
saddened him.
One evening Vance and Rouise had called on Bertha
Allen. She was beautiful as ever, and lisped in sweet in¬
tonation. Her dress indicated the grief that still rested
206
G J? A V ROCKS.
upon her. That evening, after her callers had taken their
leave, Rufus Grim joined Bertha in the parlor of his
luxuriant home. The weeks that had intervened since
the death of his wife had not made him entirely forget the
proper melancholy tone which formality, at least, de¬
manded he should exhibit.
Bertha seemed frightened with some secret fear and
anxiety. She knew too well that a crisis in her life was
approaching. Yes, Rufus Grim came to declare himself.
He was confident, as he always was, of the result,
nevertheless, there was a timidity that prevented him
from feeling the full assurance that he would have liked.
He sat down beside her, and after a few common-place
remarks, he said, in a voice low, yet audible: " Bertha,
I ha^'e something to say to you. "
"Yes," she lisped innocently enough, and looked up
into his face.
' ' What I have to say. Grim went on, in a husky
voice, "cannot be a matter of news to you. You must
know that I love you ; yes, love you with my whole
heart." His hands trembled and his voice was un¬
steady.
"You've always been so very kind to me," lisped
Bertha, and there was gratitude in her voice.
' ' Heaven knows I have tried to be, and that I have
guarded you with jealous care ever since j-ou were a little
girl and came under my protection." He had taken her
hands, but they were unresponsive. " Xo man," con¬
tinued Grim, ' ' could love you more than I have for many
years. Of course you knew what my feelings were—you
must have known, for have I ever failed to satisfy your
every wish and want?"
GRAY ROCKS.
207
"Never," murmured Bertha, as she leaned her head
against his breast.
"Yes, I have protected you," he went on, as belaid
one arm about her slender form, "I have kept you from
the young scape-grace, your cousin, Arthur Boast. I
"Yes," whispered Bertha., "I love you so much."
feared he was tring to make love to you, and for that
reason forbade him the house. ' '
"Oh, how could you think such a thing?" said she,
in her soft, cooing way, yet with a half-indignant intona¬
tion in her voice.
•JOS
GRA V ROCKS.
"Oll, I am perfectly content now," replied Grim, and
his old, pompous air and manner of speech began to assert
themselves. ' ' Of course I could not show you my heart
in all its tenderness—I was a husband and had to control
myself—but now, it seems as if all obstacles have been re¬
moved. Do you love me, Bertha ? I have thought many
times that I could read my answer in your eyes, but I
long to hear you say so. ' '
"Yes," whispered Bertha, " I love you so much."
In his daily walks, Rufus Grim was an over-bearing,
selfish man, but now he was softened, and his emotion
was very great. He looked tenderly and longingly on
the drooping head beside him, and was for a time com¬
pletely absorbed in the intensity of his love for the artful
girl at his side.
Yes, she was fooling him. She was the affianced wife
of J. Arthur Boast, and yet she must play her part.
' ' And may I one day call you wife ?' ' said Rufus Grim,
pressing her closely to him and kissing her reverently on
the forehead. "Say in a year from now," he pleaded.
"Yes," she lisped, gently pressing his hand, " it shall
be as you say." As a matter of truth, she was mentally
speculating how she could get out of this horrible scrape.
He had said in a year—that was a long time. She would
have ample opportunity to free herself in some way.
Arthur must help her.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE GOEDEN MAUSOEEUM.
GRIM was a happy man. He would
conceal his joy for one short year,
and then—and then—. He had at
last reached the top-most craig of all
his worldly hopes. Wealth was his,
and now he had secured the promise
of Bertha Allen to be his wife. He
called at his lawyer's of&ce the next
day and told him he wished to add a
codicil to his will. He spoke in his usual loud and confi¬
dent way, and seemed to constantly remember that he was
not only the richest man in Gold Bluff, but, by big odds,
the most fortunate.
The lawyer knew his client. He knew his whims and
wisely humored his eccentricities. It needed but little
encouragement and flattery to set Rufus Grim going, re¬
counting the steps he had carved out for himself on life's
journey, and the pinnacle to which he had climbed.
Arthur Boast came in and took a seat in the outer
room. Grim requested the lawyer to close the door,
and asked him what he let that young scoundrel come
about the premises for. Then he seemed to remember
that he was the victor, and why should he still hold
malice ? After a little, he again referred to the matter of
changing his will, and when the lawyer was ready, he
209
210
GRA y ROCKS.
dictated a codicil bequeathing all his possessions uncon¬
ditionally to Bertha Allen, to which he attached his signa¬
ture. The lawyer showed no signs of astonishment at
Rufus Grim's action, though he guessed the relationship
that existed between his client and Bertha Allen.
That evening a clandestine meeting between Bertha
and her cousin, Arthur Boast, had been arranged. Her
first words, after the greeting and a
kiss of welcome, were in regard to the
ordeal she had passed through with
Mr. Grim.
"To think, Arthur," lisped Bertha,
' ' of that old fool asking me to be his
wife ! Why, I really thought I would
die, I did indeed !"
"And what did you say?" asked
Boast.
' ' Why, you sweet old darling, what could I say but
give him to understand that perhaps I was willing ? I
told him to wait a year, and then—. ' '
"Yes, and then?" hissed Arthur, through his teeth.
"Oh, don't be foolish, my own darling," said she,
slipping her arms about his neck, ' ' you know I was only
pretending ; you know that I loathe him, but I have been
dependent on his bounty for so many years. I am only
too ready, Arthur, to go with you ; yes, to the ends of
the earth. ' - She caressed him tenderly, and Arthur's ill-
feeling gave way before her tender entreaties.
He had heard Rufus Grim dictating the codicil to his
will, and had been fired with a mad jealousy, but she had
confessed all at their first meeting, and he felt relieved. He
would not tell her of the codicil to the will ; no, not now.
The clandestine meeting.
GJÍA V BOCA'S.
211
" We must not delay our marriage much longer," said
Bertha, sweetly, ' ' we really must not, Arthur ; you must
save me from that old bear. Oh, how I hate him !"
" Did he attempt' to caress you ?' ' asked Arthur.
"Yes," replied Bertha, slowly, "but he only kissed
me once. ' '
"Only kissed you once!" cried Arthur, and with a
savage oath he pushed her from him.
"Arthur, you'll break my heart," she cried in stifled
pain, and creeping closer to him she clasped his arm with
both her hands. ' '"He kissed me on my forehead. How
could I help it ? He is so overbearing and so determined
—I did not know but he would turn ine away from his
home unless I humored and fooled him. Won't you for¬
give me? How could I help it?"
"Yes," said Arthur, clasping, her passionately to his
breast, "yes, I'll forgive you; but you must go away
from Rufus Grim's house, and I will arrange matters and
soon we will be married."
"You make me so happy, Arthur ; I could starve, yes,
starve willingly with you, rather than live with any other
man on earth."
" I think we had better be married soon, " said Arthur,
' ' say in two weeks ?' '
"Impossible 1" lisped Bertha.
' ' No, not impossible, ' ' replied Boast, almost savagely,
" I say we must be married in two weeks. I will take
you to my father's for a little while, after which we will
commence housekeeping. "
' ' Why, Arthur, ' ' protested Bertha, ' ' you are the most
unreasonable man living ; you are, indeed. How can I
L'12
GJÍA y ROCKS.
be married in two weeks ? It's such a short time since
mamma died."
" It must be as I say," replied Arthur, determinedly,
" it is for your good. You are left done in the world,
and. Bertha, I love you with the only love that I have
ever given to any human being. There, don't cry ; dry
your eyes, my darling, and make up your mind that I
know what is for your good." She finally gave in, and
the compact was sealed with a lover's kiss and a tender
embrace.
The next day was one to be long remembered. Colonel
Bonifield called ai the Prospector office and told Vance
that, at last, they had reached the 500 foot level. "Yes,"
said the Colonel, with more enthusiasm than he had ex¬
hibited for some months, "we have cert'nly had mo'
trouble, suh, in goin' these last hund'ed feet than all the
other distance put together, but we have kep' right along,
and finally, suh, we are 500 feet below
the groun'. Of cou'se, there's a lot of
work yet to do ; in fact, a pow'ful lot, in
cross-cuttin' into the vein, but a week's
work, with my present fo'ce of men, will
finish the drift-shaft. It's a vehy proud
moment of my life, suh, to tell 3-0' that
afteh all the trials and dela3's we have
had, that finally we are down to the 500
Vance at the case. foot level. There's a little matteh, Mr.
Gilder, that I want to speak to yo' about. I'm goin' to
be a little short of money. I think, possibly, suh, I have
enough fo' about three or fou' days' work yet. We have
about fo'ty men workin', and I am anxious to keep them
until we finish cross-cuttin'."
GRA V ROCKS.
213
Vance was aghast. He knew not what to do, and he
frankly confessed to the Colonel that the $6,000 which
he had given him was, practically, every cent he had in
the world of ready money ; that he had written to Judge
Patton, who had charge of his estate in New York city,
and the judge interpreted his father's will to require his
residence in New York city in order to enjoy the annuity.
The Colonel thought a moment, and then said : "Don't
bother yo'self, Mr. Gilder, it's a matteh of vehy little im-
poTance, anyway, I assure yo', suh; I know my men.
Most of them have been workin' fo' me oveh a year, and
I feel perfectly confident they will stand by me until we
finish the work, even if I haven't the ready money with
which to pay them. They're a grand lot of fellows, I
assure yo' they are, and between yo' and me, every one of
them has great confidence in Gray Rocks ; wonde'ful con¬
fidence, yes, suh."
The Colonel bade Vance good-day and started for his
mine, and Vance turned to his case with a heavy heart.
The winter was late in coming ; though it was the first
of November, yet the air was comparatively mild, and the
breezes soft, yet invigorating.
That evening, Rufus Grim walked back and forth on
his wide porch contemplating his own importance. After
a little, he walked down through the village and followed
a by-path along the mountain side, up toward the old
prospeet shaft on the Peacock. The night was still and
beautiful. The moon was in the last quarter ; but her
rays were obscured by lazy, drifting clouds, that hung
idly in the heavens.
Arriving at the old prospect shaft, he took off his hat,
and pushed his fat fingers through his heavy hair. He
214
GRAY ROCKS.
c\'en luibiittoned his coat and leaned against the low wall
about the old shaft. Far below him were the lights of
Gold Bluif shining from many windows. He looked to-
waial his home and thought of Bertha.
" Yes, she loves me, ' ' he mused aloud, ' 'she is a darling
little angel. I always thought she returned my love, and
now I know it. What a coy way she has about her !
What slender hands ! Gad ; but it was an ordeal, the
declaring of my love for her, but I fancy no one could
have done better. No, sir, Rufus Grim is always equal
to any occasion.
' ' I ha^'e made myself what I am. After we are married,
we will go to New York city and Washington. The}'^ will
say I have the loveliest little wife in America—they can¬
not say otherwise. The men will envy me for owning
such a jewel. How different she is from other, women !
"Bertha!" he mused, " the loveliest name in the world!
The little minx ! Yes, she suspected that I loved her.
She refused 'èm all for me ; that scoundrel J. Arthur
Boast, among the rest. He is a clever dog, though, and
I rather feared him, but now it is all over.
"I wish my law-suit was settled; that is the only
speck on my horizon, but the decision in the courts above,
I feel sure, will be the same as in the lower courts. Yes,
I am lucky ; there's none luckier on the whole face of the
earth. I came into this camp with nothing—now look at
my possessions." He chuckled to himself, and in an
absent way kicked his foot against the old wall.
' ' Here is the place I made the discovery. I presume I
ought not to blame the dogs of war for being on my track,
of course, they want a share of this rich mine, but d
'em, they can't have it. No, sir, it belongs to Rufus
GHA V JiOCJ^S.
215
Grim ! The gold I have will protect the unmined
millions in the Peacock. Neither court nor jury shall
stand before my ambition. My first, yes, my abiding
/Í dark form crouched near.
ambition, is for gold, but with it has come a love that
knows no brooking for Bertha. God bless her ! She is
so tender and so refined—my cup is full to overfiowing.
" They say I am successful. Whom shall I thank but
GJÍA V /iOCÁ'S.
myself? No one. I have climbed the rugged and uneven
path alone, unaided. I have bent men to my way ot
thinking ; I am greater than all of them ; yes, greater
than all. I'll make my marriage a success too, and with
my gold and my beautiful wife, I will commence living.
No, I have never lived ; I have merely slaved and existed,
but now I am getting ready to commence."
Thus Rufus Grim fed himself on his own egotism, and
recounted life's victories, resulting from his own exer¬
tions.
.A dark form crouched near him, dimly outlined in the
uncertain light. Presently it crept stealthily up behind
him. There was a hurried rush, a whistling noise cut
sharply through the air ; a stifled cry, a heavy fall, and
Rufus Grim's body plunged forward into the yawning
mouth of the old prospect shaft, and his life's work was
over.
His anticipated happiness, his pompous joy, his earthly
prosperity, his vanity and vain-glory, all were over. Had
he died by any other method, it might have been said
that it was well that his death occurred before he dis¬
covered that Bertha Allen, to whom he had given all that
was tender in his coarse and pompous life, had cruelly
deceived him.
It mattered not now, the decision of the higher courts
of earth, but rather the decision of that higher court in
heaven. A sounding splash from murky waters far below
resounded back to the outer world like a farewell echo,
and Rufus Grim's mangled remains rested near the gold
he loved so well. Yes, in the vault where his manhood
had been bartered for gold, he slept. There was gold on
GR A Y ROCKS.
217
every side—gold above him and gold beneath him—a
priceless mausoleum.
Yes, at last, all that was mortal of the man of inordi¬
nate worldly ambition and restless energy, reposed in the
monotonous sleep of unbroken stillness.
CHAPTER XXV.
CROSS-CUTTING IN THE MINE.
HE next day Rufus Grim was missed
from the Peacock. His manager could
not understand it. Never before had
he absented himself from his office
without giving the most detailed in¬
structions in regard to work in the
mine. When the following morning
came and he was still absent, the man¬
ager's fears ripened into genuine alarm
and soon all the people of Gold Bluff were discussing the
mystery of Rufus Grim's disappearance.
A vigorous search was instituted, which resulted a few
days later in finding his lifeless body at the bottom of the
old prospect shaft. At the coroner's inquest it was de¬
cided that he had been murdered, as was evidenced by
peculiar wounds on the back of his head;
He was laid to rest by the side of his deceased wife,
with a demonstration that far excelled any funeral that
had ever taken place in Gold Bluff. Such a cowardly
murder excited the sympathy of all who knew him. They
forgot the pompous, over-bearing owner of the Peacock,
in listening to the minister's pious words of commenda¬
tion over the mangled remains of Rufus Grim, the citizen.
The mystery surrounding his demise appealed to all
law-abiding citizens to help hunt down the assassin. In
218
GRAY ROCKS.
219
the feverish excitement it was remembered that Hank
Casey and Steve Gibbons were sworn enemies of the rich
mine owner; indeed, the latter had even threatened his
life in the presence of numerous witnesses.
The sheriff who had so ignominiously failed in rilnning
down the stage robbers, took the lead in trying to ferret
out the murderer and bring him to justice. A few days
after this, warrants were sworn out for the arrest of Steve
Gibbons and Hank Casey, charging them with the crime.
Gibbons was arrested, but Hank Casey could not be
found. He had disappeared a few days after the murder,"
and no one knew where he had gone. Gibbons main¬
tained a dogged silence and seemed much subdued and
humiliated that not one of his many supposed friends
came forward to sign his bond. Handcuffed and accom¬
panied by the sheriff, heavily armed, he appêaled in vain
to many, but without success. Vance made himself quite
unpopular by offering to sign Stêve Gibbons' bond. The
people were indignant and said it was carrying his ill-
feeling toward Rufus Grim entirely too far. As he had
no property excepting an interest in Gray Rocks mine,
which was undeveloped, he was considered incompetent
as a bondsman and promptly rejected.
One evening Vanie worked very late setting type on
the Prospector. It was past midnight when he went to
his sleeping room. He was about to retire when he
heard some one knocking at the printing office door. He
admitted the visitor and found it to be J. Arthur Boast.
"Good evening, Mr. Gilder," said he, "I have come
to see you on a little matter of great importance to myself. "
"Come in," said Vance, "I have no light in this
room; come on into my bedroom."
220
GRA V ROCKS.
"You will remember a conversation we had," said
Boast, "some time ago at the hotel." Vance assented
that he did. "Well, I have come to-night to claim a
little of the reciprocal friendship which you promised me. ' '
" Circumstances," said Boast, " indeed, shape the des¬
tiny of man. Of this I am more and more convinced.
To think of us sitting down together as friends a month
ago would have been preposterous, and yet I am happy
to know we meet as such to-night. What impelled me
to send for you the night you visited me at the hotel, I
am unable to explain; an impulse that I was not strong
enough to overcome, compelled me to do it. I feel, Mr.
Gilder, that I have much to be thankful for in your friend¬
ship, and yet it has all been brought about by a circum¬
stance over which I had no control. It was not the result
of a premeditated judgment, but the outcome of an im¬
pulse."
" I hope, " said Vance, as he reached Boast a cigar and
lit one himself, ' ' that you have no regrets in regard to
our late friendly understanding."
"No, indeed," replied Boast, " on the contrary I feel
that I am one of the most fortunate men living. By the
way," he continued, "this is an excellent cigar."
"Yes," replied Vance, " I received a box from one of
my New York friends. It is a luxury that I am not able
to indulge in very freely, unless some old chum happens
to remember my isolation in these Western mountains and
takes pity on me."
" Have I told you," asked Boast, "that I have quit
drinking ? ' '
" No ! " replied Vance, in some surprise.
"Yes, I have given up red liquor altogether. The
GRA V JiOC/CS.
221
habit got a pretty strong, hold on me and I was going
down hill at a very rapid pace; indeed, I had quite given
up any hope of ever being anything but a hard drinker.
Scarcely had I reconciled myself to that belief, than a
whim, a caprice, an impulse, or whatever you may call
it, took hold of me and said, ' No more liquor, J. Arthur
Boast; not another drop,' and from that day to this I
have not tasted the abominable stuff." Vance assured
him he was glad to hear of the reformation.
" I am in love; desperately so," said Boast.
"In love? " repeated Vance.
"Yes, I am in love with my cousin. Bertha Allen, and
she reciprocates my own tender affec¬
tion. On her account, if not for my
own, I am indeed glad the red liquor
: craze has been overcome, and that re-
II minds me of the object of my visit.
Bertha is such a stickler on formalities
and so sensitive that I have had hard
work to convince her our marriage
should take place so soon after her
taminiove. mother's death. Our arrangements
were made to be married the day after to-morrow. Her
step-father's death, of course, complicated matters a little,
and she thought we ought to postpone the affair. As
usual, however," continued Boast," "I have convinced her
that she is wrong and I am right, and have finally gained
her consent, on one condition, that you and Miss Bouise
will favor us with your presence and act as groomsman
and bridesmaid."
Vance was non-plussed at Boast's remarks, and for a
moment did not know what to say.
ooo
uÁ'A V ROCKS.
" It will be a very quiet afiair," continued Boast, "im¬
mediate relatives and all that—she has none, and neither
have I, save my father and mother. We are to be mar¬
ried at my father's. There's no one Bertha thinks so
much of as lyouise. They have been chums for many
years, and since you profess friendship for me, I feel sure
you'll not refuse my request."
\^ance promised to consider the matter and let him
know the next day, after consulting Louise.
" Very well," said Boast, " I will call to-morrow. It's
really too bad," he went on, " that a weak little woman
like Bertha should have had so much suffering during
the last few months. Actuated by sympathy as well as
love, I feel it my duty to set formalities aside, marry her,
and thus insure to myself the privilege of protecting and
caring for her as she deserves."
' 'Yes, ' ' said Vance, ' 'she has had a great deal to endure.
By the way, Mr. Boast, do you beUeve Steve Gibbons
guilty of Mr. Grim's murder?"
Boast relit his cigar before answering. " Mr. Gilder,"
said he, after deliberating, "I hope Mr. Gibbons is
innocent. I have tried to look calmly at his case,
shrouded in mystery as it is. I have tried to blunt my
ears to whisperings and prejudices and not jump with the
multitude toward a hasty conclusion. Of course, the cir¬
cumstantial evidence against Mr. Gibbons is rather dam¬
aging. ]Mr. Casey's disappearance and Gibbon's contin.
ued silence as to his whereabouts, makes it look still
worse. The probabilities are that nine out of ten of the
people of Gold Bluff believe him to be guilty. They
have built up a wall of circumstantial evidence that seems
to be impregnable, and unless the public pulse is permit-
G/?A V ROCKS.
223
ted to cool before his trial comes off, they very likely will
convict him, To me, mercy seems much more preferable
than a hasty judgment. Well, good-night, Mr. Gilder.
I am sorry to have been compelled to call on you at such
a late hour, but you know," said he, with a jocular laugh,
"it is an urgent case, and when you are as near to your
nuptials as I am, I'll forgive you if you should rout me
out of bed at all hours of the night."
"A strange man!" said Vance to himself when Boast
was gone, "he talks like a philosopher. His judgment
is .seasoned with mercy. How could I have misunder¬
stood him as I did? It's rather odd that he and Bertha
Allen are to be married. I know lyouise will be sur¬
prised. After all, it's best that he should marry Miss
Allen, and the very fact that he makes her his wife at
this time when she is left completely alone, really enno¬
bles the fellow to me."
The following day a favorable answer was given to
Boast, and the marriage took place the next evening. It
was indeed a quiet affair. Whether Colonel Boast and
his wife approved of their only son marrying his cousin
or not, Vance was unable to satisfactorily decide in his
own mind; but he and Bouise both acknowledged that
they felt freed from an indescribable restraint after taking
their departure.
Almost simultaneously with the announcement of J.
Arthur Boast's marriage was the discovery that Bertha
Allen was the heiress of all the vast possessions of the
murdered mine owner. Rufus Grim's attorney became
Arthur Boast's trusted adviser. Work in the great Pea¬
cock mine continued, and within a week J. Arthur Boast
was in control of affairs; indeed, he seemed a changed
CHA y ROCKS.
man. His responsibilities seemed to subdue without
irritating him. The people were quick to discover new
elements of strength in the controller of the Peacock, and
vied with each other in giving him encouragement.
Work on Gray Rocks had not been progressing so
smoothly. Old Colonel Bonifield, fired with the enthusi¬
asm of a Ponce de L,eon, believed the forty odd men
employed in cross-cutting the drift shaft from the 500 foot
level would remain with him, although his finances were
exhausted.
It was on Saturday night that he called his men about
him and explained his temporary embarrassments. He
paid them off in full, and assured them that three or four
more days' work with their united assistance, was all that
was necessary to reach the gold he had
been looking for so many weary years,
and expressed confidence, in his chival¬
rous way, that all his employes would
report the next Monday morning for
work, and stay with him until the drift
was finished. The following Monday
morning, however, found but a half dozen
men reporting for work, much to Colonel
Bonifield's surprise and disappointment.
The old Colonel went into the mine
with his faithful adherents, and encouraged them by his
undaunted energj'. What could have beèn accomplished
by forty men in the space of three days, would require
fifteen or twenty days with his half dozen assistants.
They lessened the size of the drift shaft, however, and
this would make quite a saving of time. Throughout
the week, the Colonel, with his handful of assistants,
GRA V ROCKS.
225
labored incessantly. When the next Monday morning
came around, he found that only three reported for duty.
This was indeed discouraging, but with a determination
that knew no brooking, he went on.
Two days later, his three assistants advised him that
their families were in want of the necessities of life, and
while they still had unbounded faith in Gray Rocks, yet
thej^ owed a duty to their families first and before all else,
and could not remain with him any longer.
After this, the engineer and fireman took turns in help¬
ing the Colonel. One man remaining in the engine room
performed the work of both. After a couple of days of
monotonous drilling and blasting, the Colonel one even¬
ing told lyouise of his great discouragement.
'' My deah daughter," said the Colonel, '' they have all
dese'ted me; I am left alone to finish the work in the
mine as best I can. It's pow'ful humiliatin' to be dese'ted
just when I am reachin" fo' the last round in the laddeh. "
Rouise had slipped her arms around his neck while he
was speaking.
"My dear father," she said, "why not go to Mr.
Gilder; he has been so true to you, and I am sure, now
that you are so near finishing your work, he will give
you what assistance is needed."
The old man stroked his daughter's hair affectionately.
" Yes, suh, yo' are right; he would help me if he could.
No one seems to undehstand me, Louise, my deah child,
exceptm' yo'self and Mr. Gilder. I may as well tell yo'
that I called on Mr. Gilder sev'al days ago fo' a little mo'
money, and he told me the $6,000 which he had given us
was practically every dollar he had in the world. It made
my old heart bleed to see the pained expression on the
15
226
GRA y ROCKS.
noble j'oung fellow's face—pained because he couldn't
help me mo'. I explained to him that it made no
diffence; that my men—the rascals who have so shame¬
fully dese'ted me—had confidence in Gray Rocks, and
that they would stand by me fo' a few days longeh."
The Colonel walked back and forth in an agitated way,
and held his head between his hands. ' ' My God, it will
drive me crazy," he exclaimed, "if the work is not
finished." Rouise was startled at his manner. She
noticed that he appeared older than ever before, and con¬
demned herself for not giving him more encouragement
and help.
" Father, how can I help j'ou?" she asked, imploringly.
" There is no way, my precious little child; come here
to me. " He seated himself and she nestled on his lap.
" To-morrow morning, father," said she, "now listen,
for I am going to have my way—to-morrow morning I
am going with you down to the 500 foot level and -help
you with the work. I'm not afraid, and I'm verj-
strong, too."
"Why, what would Mr. Gilder say if he knew my
little girl was down in a mine workin'?" said the Colonel,
half amused at her earnestness, while he pressed her close
and closer to him.
' ' Mr. Gilder?" repeated Louise, looking dreamily into
the bed of red coals in the open grate, "we won't tell him.
How heroic it was of him to give you every dollar he had
in the world ! Tell me, father, do you think any one else
would have done so.much?"
"No, suh," replied the Colonel, "there's betteh
blood con'sin' through his veins than any man I eveh
saw. To be sure, he's a nawth'n man—that is, he was
GHA V ROCKS.
227
bawn in the nawth; but even the old state of Virginia
neveh produced a manlier man."
True to her promise, the next morning found Touise
with her father in the drift shaft, 500 feet under ground.
They had carried with them a well-filled lunch basket,
and worked with a determination born of despair. Holes
were drilled deep in the solid rock and filled with giant
powder, then after lighting the fuse, they would retreat
until the blast resounded in hollow mockery through the
caverns of the earth. No sooner would the smoke clear
away than they would drill again.
While Touise was drilling and putting forth all her
strength in work that would have tried the courage of the
hardiest miner, her father would take turns with her, and
again he would measure the distance from the shaft to
see how much farther they had to drift.
It was late in the evening, and they had been working
on some time in silence, when the Colonel, after making a
last measurement, shouted out in the stillness, "We'll
finish it to-night! Bring the powdeh, while I drill!" and
presently another blast resounded like a death knell to
hope, tearing away great sections of the adamantine rock.
On, on they worked—drilling and blasting.
Louise had become well-nigh exhausted, and rested for
a moment, when the Colonel shouted : ' ' Drill on ! Drill
on ! There's no time to lose !"
' ' But, father, ' ' cried Louise, ' ' the powder is all gone.
Shall we not send the engineer for more? There's hardly
enough for more than another blast."
"No!" yelled the Colonel, almost like a maniac in
vehemence, " I have no money fo' mo' powdeh. Let us
122S
GJ?A V ROCKS.
use what we have. Scrape the cans and put it all in one
great blast. I will drill."
Ironise was frightened. She feared her father was
losing his mind. It might be, after all, that instead of
Where is the powdeh?
benefitting him by her constant encouragement and belief
in Gray Rocks, she had but added to his vain hallucina¬
tion, and the shock of another failure might dethrone his
reason. While she was thinking, she industriously
applied herself to gathering from the different cans that
GR A Y ROCKS.
229
had contained the giant pon der all that was left into one.
Yes, there was enough for one more blast, but not enough
for two.
"Where is the powdeh?" cried the Colonel. She looked
at her father, whose face was almost as white as the dis¬
heveled hair of his uncovered head. He had thrown
aside his hat and coat, and was wrought up to the highest
pitch of excitement.
' ' A moment, father, ' ' said Louise, laying her hand on
his arm.
"Let me alone, I have no time to wait," he said.
"But listen, father, won't you? Listen to me just a
moment. "
"Well, what is it?" said he, impatiently, wiping the
perspiration from his brow.
' ' For thirteen years, father, you've been striving and
striving to find gold in Gray Rocks; what if you are no
nearer now than you were thirteen years ago ? Will you
be so terriby disappointed, father ? Come, tell me you
will not." She had her arms about his neck and was
looking pleadingly up into his face. He pushed her from
him.
" Yo' talk as if yo' doubted," said he. " I'm thirteen
years nearer success to-night than the day I commenced.
It's vehy humiliatin' to me to think that yo', Louise,
should doubt yo'r old father's judgment. Have yo' for¬
gotten that my blood cou'ses in yo'r veins ? Are yo', too,
tumin' against me at the vehy last? "
"Oh, father," cried Louise, as she clung to him and
buried her head on his breast, sobbing wildly, "don't
speak to me so harshly ! It will kill me! Have I not,"
said she, between her sobs, ' ' stood by you and believed
230
GR A y ROCKS.
with you, though all others, unless it was Mr. Gilder,
turned against you ? I believe now that you are right,
father, but it may be deeper down, and I was only trying
to make the disappointment less hard in case disappoint¬
ment should again be the result of our efforts."
"There, there, little girl," said the Colonel, stroking
her head affectionately, " I do forgive yo', and yo'must
forgive yo'r old, excitable father. Let us put in the
powdeh ; let us make the last blast, and let its resoundin'
peals tell the whole world that we've done our best ! "
"Yes, father; that we have indeed done our utmost;
and after this blast we will go home and still have faith
in Gray Rocks, though the whole world disbelieves."
"We have plenty of powdeh here," said the old
Colonel, picking up the can, " to tear ten tons of rock
into shreds."
The fuse was lighted and they retired for protection
until the powder should ignite. Presently there was a
deafening roar, as if the mountains were being split
asunder. The Colonel grasped his daughter's hand with
such a vise-like grip that it almost made her cry out with
pain
" The last blast! " shouted the old Colonel, when the
reverberations had ceased, ' ' the smoke will soon clear
away, and then we shall see, yes, suh, we shall see! "
CHAPTER XXVI.
A STARTLING EDITORIAL-
ANCE knew nothing of Colonel Boni-
field's discouraging labors in the mine.
Indeed, he had been so busy with other
matters that he had not found time to
call on the Bonifield's for over a week
—a very unusual occurrence.
A few days prior to Eouise's experi-
/ ence in her father's mine, Vance had
been routed up by some one knocking
on his window in the middle of the night. It proved to
be none other than the missing Hank Casey, accompanied
by Marcus Donald of Waterville. A consultation that
lasted several hours followed. An understanding was
finally reached, and it was agreed that Hank Casey
should remain concealed during the daytime in Vance's
room, and await developments.
' ' I may be laying myself liable to the law, " said Vance,
laughingly, ' ' in concealing a man for whom a warrant
has been issued, but, nevertheless, I believe what you tell
me, and on our mutual friend, Marcus Donald's advice, I
shall act my part unfiinchingly.-"
"Of course," said Marcus Donald, "it's none of my
affairs in one sense of the word, but when Mr. Casey
came to Waterville, having walked all the way from Gold
Bluff by a circuitous route, in order to avoid meeting any
23i
232
ORA y ROCKS.
one, and told me that Mr. Gibbons was about to be un¬
justly arrested for murder, I at once became interested,
especially with Mr. Casey's knowledge of the affair."
' ' Ye see, pardner, " said Hank Casey, addressing Vance,
" I 'lowed things was goin' to be pipin' hot in these 'ere
diggin's, fer I heered a rumour that Steve an' I was both
to be arrested. I knowed 't'wan't no use fer both of us
to lay 'round here till our hands an' feet were tied, so, sez
I to Steve Gibbons, sez I, 'Steve, you make your perch
here in Gold Bluff, an' don't you run nary an inch, and
I'll scoot out an' try an' scare up some help an' turn the
tables on these 'ere chaps. Of course, nuther of us
liked Rufus Grim any too well ; that is, we had no
hankerin' love for him ; but I low we're not quite low
enough down to commence murderin' people, even if the)'
did cheat us out of a rich mine like the Peacock. This
game ain't out yet," he went on, "the higher courts m^
reverse the decision of the court below, and in that event
Steve an' I will yet have justice, though it s been dangna-
tion slow 'bout comin'."
"I am greatly astonished," said Vance, "at 3'our
revelation. It is entirely contrary to my theory of the
case. I am beginning to feel, however, that my judgment
amounts to but very little in this western country, tliough
I must say I have received great encouragement from your
words, Mr. Donald, in regard to Waterville property. I
will throw a bomb into the enemy's camp by writing an
editorial for the Prospector that will touch a tender place,
if Mr. Casey is correct in his statement."
It so happened that on the very day that Louise and
her father were working in the mine, the Prospector was
issued, and contained the following editorial :
GRA Y ROCKS.
233
THE RUEUS GRIM MURDER.
The history of Rufus Grim's demise, though still shrouded in
mystery, will doubtless, when the facts are known, startle the
people of Gold Bluff even more than the murder itself. It is true
that Steve Gibbons is accused and languishes in the county jail,
and that a warrant is out for the arrest of his old associate, Hank
Casey. In the excitement of the hour, our people may have in¬
terpreted circumstantial evidence as proof of guilt. As a matter
of fact, not one jot or tittle of damaging evidence, in the Pros-
judgment, can be produced against these men
The idea of suicide has been effectually set aside by the find¬
ings at the coroner's inquest. No one doubts that it was a cold¬
blooded, cowardly murder. We believe the.murderer is in Gold
Bluff to-day, and like the wolf of old, is clad in sheep's raiment.
Our people should understand the difference between circum¬
stantial and real evidence. It is probably true that both Steve
Gibbons and Hank Casey were on anything but friendly terms
with Rufus Grim, but they were not his only enemies ; indeed,
there is one in Gold Bluff who was secretly, if not openly, a much
greater enemy to the rich mine owner than either of the suspected
parties.
It is time that prejudice gave way to reason, and that others,
who profited much more by Rufus Grim's removal, should not
only be suspected, but subjected to the crucial test of a thorough
investigation.
This article set the people of Gold BJuff agog. The
entire camp, from center to circumference, seemed startled
by the boldness of Vance Gilder's double-leaded editorial.
When J. Arthur Boast read the article, he was dazed by
its audacity. He sent for his attorney, and throughout
the afternoon a consultation that lasted far into the night
was held.
Work on the Peacock was shut down the following
234
GJíA V HOCKS.
morning at Boast's request, and the men assembled at the
company's office. Boast, addressing the miners, said :
"You, doubtless, have read the editorial in yesterday s
Prospector, written by a stranger and interloper in our
midst, Mr. Vance Gilder, who foully accuses me of mur¬
dering Rufus Grim. I am now going down to the office
of the Prospector, and shall demand an amende honorable.
So many of you as see fit may accompany me. ' '
"Ay, a}'!" the crowd shouted, "we are ready!"
Indeed, the citizens of Gold Bluflf almost to a man, sided
with Boast, and said Vance was showing a cowardly
venom at J. Arthur Boast's unexpected success and good
fortune, that was neither dignified nor
just. Boast led the way to the Pros¬
pector office, and was followed by a
throng of determined miners and angry
citizens, who were in a frame of mind
that boded no good for Vance Gilder.
Rouise Bonifield had just come over
to the Prospector office with a message
from her father, and met Arthur Boast
The people excited. office door. Rouise tripped
lightly into the office and saluted Vance with a cheery
smile and good morning, while Boast paused in the door¬
way.
' ' Good morning, Mr. Gilder, ' ' said he, savagely.
" Good morning," replied Vance.
"Who wrote this editorial?" asked Boast, striking
vigorously a copy of the Prospector which he held in his
hand. ' ' I tell you, " continued Boast, ' ' I never murdered
Rufus Grim, and any man that says I did is a liar, a base
scoundrel, and a contemptible whelp !"
GRA Y ROCKS.
235
" That's right ! Ay, ay !" exclaimed the mob that was
standing behind'Boast, ready at a moment's notice to loot
the printing office.
Vance was cool and collected. He noticed that Boast
spoke in his old-time thin, piping voice, and his eyes were
restless and glittered like a fiend's. The element of man¬
hood and of the philosopher had wholly disappeared.
Louise stepped quickly forward before Vance could
make a reply, and laying her hand on Boast's arm, said :
' ' Arthur, you know I have always been your friend. I
am sure Mr. Gilder has never accused you of murdering
Mr. Grim. What do you mean ?"
' ' But he has accused me, " retorted Boast. ' ' Read this !"
Vance stepped hurriedly from behind the case, and
drawing Louise gently back, stood - face to face with
Arthur Boast. He was calm and determined. "Where,"
said he, ' ' where have I accused you of murdering Rufus
Grim ? Point out the sentence in the article where your
name even appears ?'
" Well, you haven't used my name, but you might as
well have done so."
" No," said Vance, as his eyes gleamed with fiercest
indignation and anger, " I have not accused you, Arthur
Boast, but you, by this act, with your mob of hirelings
behind you, have accused yourself. Now you must, and
by the eternals, shall answer to the law. A guilty con¬
science," he continued, "needs no accuser, and it is your
accusing conscience that has prompted you to come here
and publicly charge yourself with the crime. Neither
you, nor your host of admirers on full pay, can intimidate
me. If you can pass through the test of a thorough in¬
vestigation, and can be proved innocent, then I will have
•-'.")(> GR A y ROCKi,.
no more to say, but until you do this, I shall publicly
accuse you and denounce you as the murderer of Rufus
Grim !"
\'ance towered up like a giant before the writhing and
shriveling form of J. Arthur Boast.
' • A guilty conscience needs no accuser. "
' ' Well, I don't know that you have accused me in this
editorial," whined Boast, "and I don't know as I need
to take any steps of revenge tmtil you dare to use my
name in your paper. I guess I'll wait and see what my
CJÍA y ROCKS.
237
lawyer advises. Fall back, boys, I have nothing further
to say at this interview."
" But I have," said Vance, in thundering tones, " and
before long I shall have much to say."
"Well, you won't say it through the columns of the
Gold Bluff Prospector. It is my property ; I have the
bill of sale in my pocket. ' '
' ' Yes, " said Vance, ' ' yours is the weapon of a coward;
the unholy use of the power of money, but your plan of
securing possession of the Prospector has no terrors for me.
The copy of the Prospector that you hold in your hand
contains the last editorial I ever expect to write for the
paper. It may please you to know that my last dollar is
gone ; I am penniless, and without interference from you
the Prospector has been issued for the last time under my
management. I have been typo, managing editor, devil,
form setter, city editor, publisher and everything else,
trying hard to make an honest living. I am now through.
You and your host of satellites will oblige me by leaving
the premises. Come to-morrow morning and take pos¬
session. You'll not find me in the way."
Boast turned, and facing.his mob of backers said, with
the forced laugh of a whipped man :
' ' I thought I would squelch him, boys ; he had to cave
in, you bet." His voice was shrill and squeaky, and his
braggadocio air, as he led his admirers away, hid but
poorly his nervousness and agitation.
Vance and Touise were alone. Bouise had stood by
during the interview, startled and alarmed. She mar¬
velled at Vance's strength ; at his grandeur ; at his noble¬
ness ; and when she heard him say that now he was
penniless, she remembered the sacrifices he had made to
G RA ] ' ROCKS.
help her father. He turned toward her and their eye.s
met. It came to her like an inspiration, that her respect
and admiration for him in times past had been but a pre¬
lude to the pulsing love she now felt for him. She reached
out both her hands toward him ; he took them, and a
moment later she was sobbing on his breast*. No word
had been spoken, but volumes had been interchanged in
that one look.
The doorway was darkened. They quickly looked up,
Louise through her tears, and Vance with a beaming
countenance. Colonel Bonifield was surveying the situa¬
tion with a look of genuine surprise on his face.
" Yo' almost pa'lyze me, suh," said the Colonel, " in¬
deed yo' do. Why, Mr. Gilder, I sent my little girl oveh
here to tell yo' that I had a matteh of vehy great impo'-
tance to talk oveh with yo', but she was gone so long,
suh, that I became impatient and came oveh myself."
"Oh, papa," said Louise, "Mr. Gilder and Arthur
have had a terrible quarrel !"
"A quarrel, suh ; why, how is that?"
"I am always ready to talk with you. Colonel," said
Vance, in a confused way, and unconsciously retaining
one of Louise's hands.
"Well, now, if my little girl," said the Colonel " God
bless her I will go oveh home and see about preparin'
dinneh and lay an extra plate fo' yo', we'll have our talk
and come oveh a little lateh."
While no word had been spoken between Vance and
Louise, yet he believed that his great love had been under-
.stood and rewarded. He lifted hqr hand to his lips as she
started to go, with that chivalrous respect so becoming in
the knights of old. When she was gone, Vance turned
GJÍA V ROCKS.
239
and thought he saw a smile chasing rapidly over the
Colonel's face.
"Wait a moment, Colonel," said Vance, ' ' I have some
choice cigars that were sent me from New York. Here,
try this one. ' '
' ' Thank yo', " said the Colonel, ' ' I neveh felt mo' like
smokin' in my life than I do this mawnin'." As they lit
their cigars, they walked out in front of the printing office.
The morning sun mellowed the crisp and invigorating
mountain air. Vance narrated his interview with Boast.
The Colonel's face clouded with a troubled expression.
Presently he said :
' ' Mr. Gilder, we have at last finished our work on
Gray Rocks."
" I am very glad," was Vance's reply.
" Yo' fo'ced me, suh, at one time," said the Colonel,
' ' to make a promise. When I pledge my word of honor,
suh, as I did to yo', it is sacred. Heretofore yo' most
naturally, Mr. Gilder, have asked me what I advised. I
now come to yo' and ask, what do yo' advise ?"
" Colonel Bonifield," said Vance, " I am glad you ask
me what I advise. You know. Colonel, when you first
came to New York city, you thought that if you could
only get to the 300 footl evel you would cross-cut into a
mine of untold wealth."
"Yes, suh," replied the Colonel, "that is so, and yo'
freely gave me the money to push the work. ' '
"Yes," said Vance, and unconsciously with the toe
of his boot he dug in the sand as if he was seeking
the 300 foot level, "at the 300 foot level your efforts
were not rewarded. Then you started for the 400 foot
level."
240
GRA y ROCÁTS.
"Yes, suh," said the Colonel, "and again you gave
me the money."
"Yes, yes, ' ' said Vance, as the toe of his boot dug still
deeper in the sand, ' ' but again you failed. Then I gave
you the last dollar of ready money I had in the world to
sink the shaft on down to the 500 foot level."
"Vehy true," said the Colonel, "and would have
given me mo' if yo' had had it."
" Most assuredly," said Vance, as his boot struck the
rock that lay beneath the sand. " Yes," said he, plant¬
ing his heel, firmly on the rock, ' ' you
have at last reached the 500 foot level.
Heretofore, I have listened to your advice,
and now I hope you will be guided by
mine. I have been away from New York
over two years. I have not left Gold
Bluff for more than a year. I have re¬
mained close to Gray Rocks, alternately
hoping and doubting that you would be
successful. Colonel Bonifield, I have no
regrets. You have been earnest and sincere, though
sadly mistaken, in regard to this mining venture."
" Well, well, suh," said the Colonel, as he waited for
Vance to go on.
' ' I have something to say to you. Colonel—I love your
daughter with my whole heart, and more devotedly, it
seems to me, than ever hian loved woman before. I have
a beautiful home in New York city, with ample means to
care for her and you. My advice is that you and your
lovely daughter, with those dependent upon you, come
with me and we will leave these western wilds, so associ-
The Colonel talks.
GIÍA V ROCJCS.
241
ated with disappointmeut, and go to my city home. Thi.s
morning, for the first time, I have had reason to believe
that your daughter reciprocated the great love I bear her.
You are now an old man. Colonel, and while I have not
a doubt in the world that if you would sink your shaft to
the 600 foot level, say, or, perhaps to the 700 foot level,
you would strike the vein of gold you have been looking
for so many years ; yet, what is the Use, Colonel Boni-
field, what is the use ? My love for your daughter is very
great, and I believe it is unselfish. A home of plenty
awaits us. Hardships and disappointment alone have
been the reward of our earnest efforts. "Why not go away
from it all ? Yes, let us go and forget the trials, hard¬
ships, and hopes deferred of a frontiersman's life, and let
me help you spend the remaining years of your life in
quiet, peace, and dbntentment. "
•'Yo' do me honor, suh," replied the Colonel, as he
brush€d a mist from his eyes, ' ' bawn in the nawth, yet
yo' possess the true chivalry of a southern gentleman.
Yes, suh, yo' do, indeed. It is true we sunk the shaft
to the 300 foot level, and finally, to the 500 foot level,
and you, suh, have fu'nished the money fo' this great
work. I thought my men would stay with me and help
cross-cut into the vein, but I found, when I spoke to them
about the matteh, that they only had confidence in Gray
Rocks so long as there was money in my purse to pay
their wages every Saturday night. When they dese'ted
me, suh, I worked away alone, and finally that little girl,
Rouise, went down with me yeste'day early in the
mawnin', and w&didn't get home until after nine o'clock
last night."
242
CRA V ROCRS.
" What !" said Vance, " lyouise been working down in
the mine?"
"Yes, suh, the hardest day's work I eveh put in on
Gray Rocks was yeste'day."
"Why did you not let me know?" asked Vance, " I
would have come and helped you most cheerfully, rather
than have let her do the work of a man, and 500 feet
under ground at that."
"Well, hold on, Mr. Gilder, let me tell yo'. We had
a goodly portion of giant powder yeste'day mawnin', and
yo've no idea how much assistance lyouise gave me. I
took the measu'ments a dozen times, suh, durin' the day,
and it seemed to me that by workin' a little late, we
might finally blast through into the vein."
"Yes, Colonel, 'where the vein might have been,' "
said Vance, with a merry twinkle in* his eye, while he
struck his heel in an absent way against the rock. The
Colonel paid no attention to the interruption.
"Finally, suh, we made our last drill, and filled it up
with every grain of powdeh we had left. My little Louise
had to dust every powdeh can in ordeh to have enough to
make the last blast. We retired, suh, as usual, afteh I
had lit the fuse, and yo' ought to have heard that last
blast go ofi" 1 My daughter, suh, God bless her, tried to
dull the disappointment that she felt sure was awaitin'
our effo'ts by gettin' me to promise not to be too much
disappointed; but I had confidence; yes, suh, right up to
the last. Well, suh, the smoke finally cleared away, and
my God! suh, my old eyes wept for joy!"
"What!" exclaimed Vance.
"Look at this piece of ore, Mr. Gilder; richer, yes,
suh, richer than anything ever discovered in the Peacock.
GRA y ROCKS
243
Yes, suh, my deah Gilder, we have made our last blast,
and Gray Rocks is worth two million dollars. The agent
of a rich minin' corporation of Butte City made me an
offer of that sum this mawnin' ' '
CHAPTER XXVII.
AT last!
EFFECT on the people of a mining
camp of one of those fabulously rich
"strikes" like Gray Recks mine
proved to be, may be imagined but
cannot be described in words. Shop¬
keeper, citizen and miner alike, go wild
with enthusiasm over so important
a discovery. Congratulations were
showered upon Colonel Bonifield and Vance from every
quarter. Everyone in Gold Bluff felt it his privilege to
call at Colonel Bonifield's home and pay his respects to
one who had lived so long in their midst, and who had so
persistently and so patiently maintained unbounded con¬
fidence in a proposition that was looked upon by others
as a money-losing venture.
Independent of the fortune left him by his father,
Vance was now a millionaire. In his prosperity he did
not forget his old friends. He called on the sheriff and
again offered himself as bondsman for Steve Gibbons.
The bond was accepted, and a half hour later, Gibbons
was released. Hank Casey surrendered himself, and was
also immediately bailed out of custody.
One evening the stage coach brought to Gold Bluff
Homer Winthrop and his young bride, nee Virgie Boni¬
field. It was a great surprise to the Bonifield household.
244
GRA y ROCKS.
245
"And this accounts," said Vance to Homer, after he
had congratulated him, " this accounts for Marcus Donald
hastening away from Gold Bluff. '
"Yes," said Homer, " I could not think of having the
ceremony take place without my old friend and associate,
Marcus Donald, being present. "We have traveled
together so long, in adversity as well as in prosperity, that
we are quite inseparable."
"He is a great character,'' replied Vance, "his dis¬
interested assistance and help I have recently seen demon¬
strated in a marked degree. ' '
' ' He is one of the ' salt of the earth, ' ' ' replied Win¬
throp, enthusiastically, "he is not only a sunny day
friend, but one in the hour of need—indeed, he is a man
among men. By the way," he continued, "I want to
congratulate you with all my heart on the great Gray
Rocks strike."
"Thank you," replied Vance, "the prosperity could
never have come at a more opportune time. My finances
was reduced to the last dollar when Colonel Bonifield
broke the news to me. ' '
' ' I received your letter, written some ten days ago, ' '
said Winthrop, "and have sold those twenty-five lots
your New York friends purchased."
"Thank God for that! " ejaculated Vance.
"Yes, I sold them for $800 apiece, or $20,000. As
they only paid $2,500 for them, I hardly think they can
complain at the profits. Oh, you have no idea what a
city Waterville has become. The great wàterpower has
been effectually harnessed, the streets are paved; electric
car lines, plaining mills, and scores of other manufactur¬
ing concerns are in full operation. Our population is now
246
GRA Y ROGAIS.
numbered by thousands, instead of hundreds, while busy
activity and prosperity are apparent on every hand."
"You quite astonish me, old fellow," replied Vance,
"indeed you do; but I needed no greater proof of Water-
ville's prosperity than your report of the sale of lots be¬
longing to my New York friends. Once, old fellow, I
gave you my promise to wait five years before passing
judgment on your enterprise. Hardly half that time has
elasped, yet it gives me pleasure to assure 3'ou that I am
already better satisfied with Waterville than I ever dared
hope for. ' '
" Thank you, ' said Homer, "your 'Two Honorable
Exceptions ' article in the New York Banner was indeed
prophetic. ' '
"Yes," said Vance, "while the prophecies of Col.
Alexander, B. Webster Legal, Gen. Ira House, and other
members of yonr Waterville Town Company, have been
more than realized."
" My associates," said Homer, " in the great work of
building up Waterville, have at last met with a compen¬
sation which I cannot but feel is a just one. Taking it
all and all, they are a grand lot of fellows, each one a
study within himself; nevertheless, collectively a phalanx
of strength."
"By the way," he continued, " it was my noble little
wife, Virgie, that started the boom last spring. She
learned in some mysterious way that a private school fund
had been created for her special benefit, and in order to
return the m«ney, purchased the first lots that we had
sold for months and months, and from that day the boom
started, until now—well, you'll have to see the place to
realize the wonderful changes and improvements."
GRA V ROCKS.
247
" Hers," said Vance, "is certainly a sweet and noble
character."
"Yes, indeed," replied Winthrop, laughingly, " I still
think she is the most practical member of the Boûifield
family."
" Indeed," said Vance, " I remember the allusion, and
I beg to assure you that my opinion remains unchanged
in regard to Louise. ' '
"I notice," said Winthrop, "that our old acquaint¬
ance, J. Arthur Boast, has had quite a rise in the world
—at the head of the Peacock mine, I understand."
"Yes," replied Vance, while a sorrowful expression
swept over his face, ' ' I fear his rise preceeds a mighty
fall. Gibbons and Casey have been arrested for the
Grim murder, but have given bonds, and are waiting for
their attorney, B. Webster Legal, and to use one of Steve
Gibbons' expressions, ' Things are liable to be sizzlin' hot
for Boast before long. ' ' '
' ' Why, ' ' interrupted Winthrop, ' ' you cannot mean—"
"Yes," continued Vance, " I do mean that J. Arthur
Boast murdered Rufus Grim. I have the evidence. Hank
Casey saw the act. ' '
" Why, you astonish me! "
"Casey," continued Vance, "was at first afraid to
report the matter, nor did he until he went to Waterville.
You were away at the time, and he confided to Mr. Don¬
ald. His own and Steve Gibbons' long years of warfare
with Grim over the Peacock, he was afraid, would cause
people to suspect them of the crime. He divined rightly.
There is a great prejudice against both of them."
" I never was more surprised in my life! " said Win-
248
6^AV7 y ROCKS.
throp, ' ' and while I never liked the fellow, yet I had no
idea he would commit murder. ' '
The next day a warrant was issued for the arrest of J.
Arthur Boast, charging him with the murder of Rufus
Grim. A most diligent search was made, but the officer
was unable to find him. His wife was in tears and pros¬
trated with grief, declaring she had no idea of his where¬
abouts.
It was the morning before Thanksgiving that Vance
received a certain letter. It was from Arthur Boast, and
read as follows:
at Home.
Dear Sir:
Why I write to you above all others, is more than I can
tell. An impulse, actuated by some wandering spirit from the
regions of darkness and the damned, forces me to it. The things I
want to do, I am unable to accomplish. The acts I loathe and
abhor, I am made a cat's-paw of to perform by some unknown
impelling force.
It may be that some men can shape their own destiny—mine
has been shaped for me.
I have never seen the time I did not fear you, and cannot re¬
member the time I did not hate and despise you. I sought
your friendship for protection. When I needed your support, you
turned against me.
Rufus Grim was my evil genius in this life, and he is more
unbearable dead than living. Every night since I murdered him
—yes, it was I who did the deed—^he has visited me in my dreams
All night long he walks up and down my bed-room-^back and
forth—and curses me. Sometimes I pull the covers well over my
head, and try to sleep, but he pulls them off and rubs his cold,
clammy hands threateningly over my face. He has found out also
that I robbed the stage coach and bribed the sheriflF.
I am tired of it all. I have not slept for ten nights. My brain
GRA V ROCKS.
249
is on fire. You want vengeance, but I intend to cheat you—yes,
I will cheat you—and in this way I find my only consolation.
An hour ago my attorney came to my hiding-place, and told
me the higher courts had reversed the decision. When this is
known all Gold Bluff will turn against me. Even now I can hear
them hissing the words. Scoundrel! scoundrel! murderer! mur¬
derer! in tantalizing scorn.
My ambition has always been to be wealthy. Now I am so
poor that if I continued to live and was not hunted down and sent
to prison, I would not even have a crust of bread to eat.
Yes, Gibbons and Casey are now the owners of the Peacock
mine—the higher courts have so decided. With their money,
they'll join you in persecuting me—but I'll cheat them as well as
you. Your longing for revenge shall not be satisfied.
At the old prospect shaft on the Peacock, where I struck the
fatal blow that hurled Rufus Grim into eternity, you will find all
that remains of the persecuted, despised and hated
J. Arthur Boast.
To Vance Gilder.
A search was at once made, and his lifeless body found
near the old prospect shaft. A bullet wound in his tem¬
ple, • and the weapon still clutched in
his hand, told of the maniac's suicide.
The people of Gold Bluff were aston¬
ished at the rapidity with which
history was being made. The sheriff
was missing, and his absence gave color
to Boast's statement about the sheriff
being an accomplice in the stage rob¬
bery.
At the old shaft, Cascy and Gibbons, the multi-million¬
aires, and now the undisputed owners of the Peacock
mine, were entirely vindicated by Boast's letter, and not
250
GIÍA V ROCKS.
a shadow of suspicion rested against them; indeed, the
citizens of Gold Bluff suddenly remembered that Mr.
Henry Casey and Stephen Gibbons, Esq., were most ex¬
cellent gentlemen. It was astonishing to find how many
' ' friends ' ' flocked around them to tender their congratu¬
lations.
It was Thanksgiving night, and Vance, with the mem¬
bers of the Bonifield household, was seated before the
open grate, where a cheerful fire burned brightly. They
had been talking it all over, and the Colonel, in a sub¬
dued but satisfied way, thanked God that he had been
permitted to live long enough to see a
fulfillment of his life's dream. Both
Louise and Virgie were animated and
happy, and Homer Winthrop had been
dilating upon Waterville's wonderful
prosperity.
Presently the door opened, and Aunt
Sally came in. "Good evenin', Mr.
Gilder," said she, in her rich Southern caseyand
accent, " I 'low this is the happiest day of our lives."
"Yes, indeed," replied Vance, "we owe many apolo¬
gies to yonr brother for our seeming lack of confidence in
Gray Rocks."
She looked at him quickly over her spectacles, and re¬
plied, " Lack of confidence, Mr. Gilder? I'd like to know
who lacked confidence in my brother Benjamin's mine!
Fo' myself, I have believed from the first that Benjamin
would strike it if I could only keep him workin' away
long enough. ' '
Vance was non-plussed, and was about to reply, when
the Colonel interposed. " Yo' see, suh," said he, with a
GR A V ROCKS.
251
knowing twinkle in his eye, " I have often obse'ved to
yo' that my sisteh is a most ext'ao'dina'y person; yes,
suh, most ext'ao'dina'y indeed. She has been a powehful
support to me, suh, in my effo'ts."
This seemed to partially pacify Aunt Sally. Presently
she said, ' ' I 'spect, Mr. Gilder, yo' are thinkin' 'bout a
convehsation we had a few months ago in regard to
sinkin' the shaft. Of cou'se yo' didn't know how much
strategy I had to resort to that I might keep Benjamin
from getting disheartened. Of cou'se I won't allow
nobody to say any thin' against my brother, but I 'low he
is the coutrariest man livin', I do indeed, suh. Time
and again I have been fo'ced to pretend that I was oppos-
in' him, just to make him go on workin' and sinkin' that
shaft, but at last it is all over with, and I've much to be
thankful fo' that I was spared so that I could keep on
naggin' at Benjamin and spurrin' him up, until finally
his effo'ts were rewa'ded." Soon after, she embraced
Touise and Virgie tenderly, and retired.
When she was gone, the Colonel looked up from the
crackling fire, into which he had been gazing long and
earnestly, and said, "I presume, Mr. Gilder, my sisteh
is without question one of the greatest characters that
ever lived, I do indeed, suh. I'm discoverin', even to
this day, new traits of superio'ity and strength in her.
Indeed, suh, she is no o'dina'y woman. Though bawn
in the South, and possessin' in a high degree the very
great refinement peculiar to our Southern ladies, yet at
the same time her diplomacy in accomplishin' great re¬
sults equals the shrewdest Nawthe'n Yankee. Indeed,
suh, she is a most rema'kable character; yes, suh, most
rema'kable."
1252
G/^A Y JiOC/CS.
A little later Homer and Virgie retired, pleading weari¬
ness. " Do j^ou know," said Colonel Bonifield, looking
up from the fire again, "since our great discovery was
made, I seem to want to do all my sleeping in the
mawnin'? "
" Papa," said Louise, " is too busy thinking over and
over again his great good fortune to get sleepy; but my!
how late he does sleep in the morning! "
"He has justly earned," said Vance, "the rest he
claims. '
"Indeed he has," replied Louise, approaching her
father and pushing gently back his long white locks,
' ' 5^ou are my darling old papa, ' ' she continued in a caress¬
ing way, " and may sit up as late as you like, and sleep
until noon every day if it is your wish."
" I'll tell yo', Mr. Gilder," said the Colonel, rising and
standing before the fire, ' ' this little girl of mine is bound
to spoil me; yes, suh; she always did humor me eveh
since I can remembeh, and she is worse now than eveh
befo'. AVelh well, you'll have to excuse me until I have
another pipe of tobacco." His elegant suit of black of the
latest pattern added to his dignified appearance, and
made a strange contrast, Vance thought, with the miner's
garb he had worn for so many years. He pushed through
the portieres that opened into the library, and Louise and
Vanee were left alone, for the first time since the rich
discovery had been announced.
A doubt came into Vance's mind whether he was glad
of it or not. Heretofore this noble girl whom he had
loved so long and patiently had been in a measure de¬
pendent upon him—now she was an heiress. He fancied
he detected a restraint in her conversation that was em-
G7ÍA V ROCKS. 253
barrassing. His own un worthiness rose up before him,
and he was engulfed in the cowardice of a lover! What
if she should refuse him? Cross-cutting into a pinched-
out vein would be nothing in comparison with such a dis¬
appointment. Presently, at his request, she went to the
piano, and sang for him.
Such Under and sacred things of earth are sanctified in Heaven.
She sang with far more feeling than ever before. Her
heart was filled with a maiden's dearest happiness—a
deep, reciprocal, unspoken love of limitless depth. Yes,
with the unerring divination of a woman, she knew that
G/ÍA V JÍOCfíTS.
Vance's love was wholly hers. There was a love song
before her, and under its cover, she would declare her
own without restraint. She sang with the rapture of a
mountain thrush, in notes so rich, so innocent, so plain¬
tively low, so delightfully thrilling.
Vance listened with bated breath. There are pleasures
so keen as to be painful. " I am so inferior to her, ' he
thought, with unselfish humility, "but to live without
her is impossible." Finally she ceased playing and
turned toward him with the music of her soul radiant
upon her face. A momentary silence followed.
"Touise, " said Vance, and there was a tremulous
rhythm in his voice, notwithstanding he tried to crush it
into naturalness, " it may be news to you, but I can no
more help loving you than I can help breathing. ' ' He
walked back and forth before the open grate. ' ' Please
do not look away from me," he went on, " as if I were
so unworthy—I know that well enough. I would rather
love you without hope than have the unselfish devotion
of all the other women of the earth at my feet."
She had lifted her hands and covered her face. Her
happiness was very great. She fears he would see it,
3'et he must know it, else she would be miserable.
"What I have said," Vance went on, " may be noth¬
ing to 3'ou, but it is either life or death to me. To-mor¬
row I shall leave Gold Bluff for ever unless you wish me
to remain." Vance stood before the open grate still and
motionless, and when she looked up, she saw his face was
white as marble. She rose from the piano with tear-
stained cheeks, flushing pink as Ha France roses with
morning dew-drops upon them. She came forward a few
steps, and then paused. Her golden wealth of hair
G/^A V ROCKS.
255
reflected the forelight, and made a halo about her girlish
face and form. Her full red lips were parted with the
tender smile of youth, purity and love. She was think¬
ing, ' ' I am certain of his love; I am sure of mine for
him, and I will give myself entirely, yes, wholly into his
keeping." With one hand over her beating heart, she
held the other toward Vance. In a moment he was by
her side, and raising her hand, presSed it passionately to
his lips. In the deliciousness of love's dream, he led her
to a divan and seated himself beside her. His arms stole
about her, her head rested on her breast, and there a
devout lover's affection was sealed with love's first kiss.
A moment later the portieres parted, and in the door¬
way stood the Colonel. His long white hair fell back
from his temples, and there was a look of gladness upon
his countenance. He lifted up his face toward Heaven,
and in tones that were scarcely audible, said; "Such
tender and sacred things of earth are sanctified in
Heaven."
Yes, again the Shuttle of Fate wove into the web of
Destiny the better attributes of a manly man and the
ennobling love of a gentle woman.
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DL433-25M
Annex
81 3.4
E53g
452144
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