Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

FIRST NATIONAL B. Burns. They found John Truscott standing behind a small table covered with a sheaf of notes and penciled diagrams. Without preamble he began: “Dry Gulch’s source of gold is, | am convinced, a gravel-bed of curiously limited breadth and indeterminate length. The breadth fronts on Dr. Yard’s claim—an abnormally rich field from which, perhaps ages.ago, a swiftly running stream carried and deposited the gold along the river- course. “These river-bed deposits are almost ex- hausted, as you are aware. The next logi- cal point of attack is the length of the eravel-bed, which apparently extends west- ward from the river. Traces of gold on the western bank at this frontage are clear- ly defined. Of course this gravel-bed un- derlies strata of hard, volcanic rock at least fifty feet deep. Hydraulic mining, operat- ing on the face of the cliff, therefore is not feasible. It will be necessary to tunnel under this volcanic rock, on an approxi- mate level with the river-bed. Drift min- ing, combined with sluicing, is demanded. “T am willing to undertake the opening of a drift, and further development and operation. My affiliation with the Western Mining Development Company — whose representative I am here—places at my dis- position the required machinery, skilled la- bor, and all facilities. “In addition to my stipulated retaining- fee, Mr. Betts has deposited with me cer- tain funds to be applied to such operations, subject to your approval. When these funds were all utilized in the preparatory work, the Western Mining Development Company would carry on the operations under the following agreement: “Their legal title to a half interest in the mining claim and any profits derived therefrom; togethtr with your pledge to defray half the current expenses. Such ex- penses might be heavy, and would have to be met promptly. On the other hand, the investment would seem decidedly promis- ing, In my advisory capacity, I unhesita- tingly urge it. ‘“‘T would appreciate having your deci-. sion as soon as possible. I leave to-mor- row. Thank you.” With an abrupt, stiff 487 BANK OF FARO, bow, John Truscott gathered up his papers and left the room. “What do yuh say we chew it over right away?” volunteered Betts. “ Though I think we could do it more comfortably at the professor’s,’ he added. Whereupon they adjourned, making a hurried exit past the bar, The business was transacted in short order—as invariably was true when the professor actually set his brain to working. “John Truscott,’ said he, from the depths of his easy-chair, ‘‘ evidently is a man of knowledge and discernment. Mr. Betts investigated his qualifications, and | found him an authority. His price is high —some of ye might call his conditions downright robbery—but brains and ef- ficiency always do come high. “Moreover, our peculiar problem can and should be. solved by the diversion his operations bring. Remember, it is not a question of his producing results frem the mining. Our present claims still are fruit- ful enough. If we give him as much as one-half the money we ordinarily hand to the B. Burns, and save the other half, our fortunes are made. “Men o’ Dry Gulch, I am in strong fa- vor of informing John Truscott on the morrow that we accept his proposal. Those likewise in favor of it will say ‘aye.’ ” ‘““Sure!”’ responded the Dry Gulchers, without a dissenting voice. “Then it is agreed,” the professor con- firmed. ‘ We shall recompense Mr. Beits for his outlay of money ’—he coughed dif- fidently—‘ as soon as we are able. For the present we shall take a rising vote of thanks to Mr. Betts for his very good officés. Gen- tlemen, let us salute the savior of Dry Gulch!” The willing Dry Gulchers bounded to their feet and gave three cheers, with a tiger for good measure, for Tiny Tim. “Tt was nothin’ at all—nothin’ at all,” Tiny Tim protested in confusion. “ "Twas Dry Gulch’s money, anyway, not mine. ’Cept fer a few reasonable incidentals in the way of refreshments and sich, I was careful not to spend a penny of it.” “ Ah, shut up! Yuh’ve done a big thing fer Dry Gulch, mebbe, an’ are too mule- Conmiclooolks.conn