Canyon City News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, September 30, 1904 Page: 1 of 4
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Cany on
City
News
THIS NKWS I
Office For i
ADVERTISE
It In
THE NEWS
JOB WOKK
VOL VIII.
CANYON CITY RANDALL CO. TEXAS FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 30 1904.
NO. 29.
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
BV JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright. l'J)- by F. U. Toombs
CHATTER XVII.
A TC.il'IOli TO THE CZAR.
lAl'TAIN OliSMil' l' paced up
I urn" down the deck feverishly
while the American raven-
ously a to Iiis meal. Harvey
when lio liii finished asked for f. fl-
gar. "Ton arc- maddening!" snkl Orskoff
as he. handed the Ainerienii n cigar.
"One can see that you are not in love
nit as I am."
"Sit down" said H;:rvey. They took
chairs on d ek.
"(Jelling excited is not point; to help
lis any." said Harvey pulling at his
cigar. "I am as eager as you to rescue
the girls. Tin; diil'crcnee is tliat you.
without any plans want to rush off
and probably involve us in greater
trouble while I wish to plan out a
line of action Now. that boat went
somewhere on I h' Rokhnran coast
where we do no) know. The thin;; is
to gi t what Infui 'inatiou we cull out uf
the robbers."
"Tla y would lie to us."
"I don't think the chief Palpak.
would lie. Kxccpt for my presence
"Sn;i"' fit' f'lminfiM'iYii sHii'lf-tily.
Ilie olher robbers would have killed
him. and he must - I some grnti
tilde."
"I'.iil lliese fellows are shrewd. We
could do nullum; Willi tln ui unless wn
granlctl 1 1 1 1 -1 1 1 Iheir freedom"
"And thai of course you would not
do "
"No' I n in an ollicer of Hie czar!"
"What do von intend to do with me?"
"It is my duly lo return to Tillis
wilh von and give you over to the au-
thorities "
"Just so. Vou are one of these ma-
chine made soldiers so common in
ltusshi light for the czar and die for
yourself. Is that if? No; that. Isn't
quili" right -light and .die for the c.ar
and to the devil with yourself; that's
more like it. Let's look over the prem-
ises. Take my own case in a business
sense. I don't know where my wind-
mills are. They were taken to Astra-
khan by that fool of a Herman. Well
supposing I was at liberty to to after
tlietn the first thing I would do would
lie to outline a plan of getting as quick-
ly as possible from where I am at this
moment to the spot where I considered
It most likely I would liml I hem."
"I don't see- the connection."
"No of course not. lint tell men-hat
Is your duty In the mutter of
these robbers?"
"I have already stated that. I must
take them to Tillis and charge thorn
with robbery. Several times the nfii-
cers in charge of the money to pay tin?
soldiers have been robbed. We sus-
poeled that it was done by .some of
the mountain robbers and mistrusted
the Itokhaians. Hut we could never
catch any."
"That's because yon an? a machine
soldier. The third section of your po-
lice does not work that way."
"What way?"
"Without thinking1 rardm mo. you
Insist it is your duty to go at once to
Tillis?"
"Certainly unless -wo ran Intercept
that vessel belonging to the nmoer."
"Suppose we do not intercept it Sup-
pose the rascals nuike a port in Bo-
khara?" "Then I must return to Tiflis am ask
permission to enter the territory of the
ameer in search of Kourn."
Harvey looked at liim anil whistled.
"My friend you accused me a short
time ago of not loving as you do. Vet
you sit calmly hero and say you wou'd
j;o to Tillis to nsk permission to rescue
the fc'irl V"" claim to love.''
The Genuine
"Niggerhead" Maitland Lump CoaS
And when we say we will give you the Genuine Maitland Coal
WE MEAN IT and will not substitute some other grade of coal.
Don't be fooled in taking something that is claimed to be just as
good but come and get the Genuine Maitland and Victor Coal.
We also carry
also the genuine Piedmont Smithing Coal.
We pay the highestCASH Prices for Hides. Good
tar COME AND SEE US
"I am a soldier of the czar!"
"Verily you are and well have yon
learned your lesson. 1 am a soldier of
commerce and love it but I would
consider neither trade nor honor nor
citizenship against the chance of sav-
ing the girl 1 love. To the deuce with n
patriotism that destroys love. Orskoff
do your duty! If you feel that it is
your duty to take m; and the robbers
to Tillis do fo and forever bid fare-
well to Koura Riartolkis."
"Hut what can I do? The girls are
by this time perhaps on Itokharan soil.
It is against the orders of the czar for
a Russia n soldier to step foot in that
country."
"Tillis is several days' journey from
here; Itokhara but a short distance.
Somewhere. In the clutches of the Ho-
kharans are the girls you and I love.
Your duty calls you to desert them ill
their need; mine calls upon me to dif
for them if necessary. Rather than let
yon take me back lo Tillis I'll light you
to the death."
Orskoff stared. Harvey turned and
rrsumcd his walk. lie took several
turns and closely watched Orskoff. The
Russian was deeply thinking his brow
knitted in perplexity.
"Stop!" he commanded suddenly ns
Harvey reached him again. "You sell
windmills. To no one save those who
employ you do you owe allegiance.
You come and go as you see lit. You
are shrewd and brave and take your
wares to all countries and run risks of
death to promote the commercial inter-
ests of the company. You have spoken
of your love. ruder the whiplash of
your tongue I am torn in halves with
the bitterest conflict of my life. I havo
led my company in battle and huva
faced the enemy without a tremor but
that is nothing compared to the hell
that is surging in my breast now. In
uie in this breast there is a conflict
that overshadows anytLIng in tuy ex-
perience." "I don't understand" said Harvey.
"You would understand If you were
a Russian ollicer and at the same tune
a man in love. Remember 1 am per-
forming my duty when I place you un-
der arrest and take you back to Tillis.
You are a condemned prisoner who has
escaped. With your innocence or guilt
I have nothing to do. It is my duty to
take those robbers to Tillis. and It in
not in v duty to permit one of them to
talk. Yet as against this duly the
girl I love Is in the bands of the lio-
kharans. You. the man who is most
wauled in Tiflis and these robbers are
the only men on earth who can heln
me. l'or.onee the girls ure ou liokhuran
noil. I am helpless."
"Helpless?"
"I cannot stir regiments to cross the
border. The order must come from St.
Petersburg l'.y the time we get that
order the girls will lie married to the
princes."
' "That Is what I have been striving to
show you -the uselossuoss of your
COAL?
WE ARE EXCLUSIVE AGENTS FOR
AND
a large stock of Grain and Field Seeds of all kinds
By W. C. KENYON Manager.
duty in this case. I claim your duty is
to go niter the girls."
"Impossible! There is a ferret corps
for such work. I am not a soldier once
off Russian soil unless sent there."
"Who asked you lo be a soldier? Come
witli me. Let ns rescue the girls. Alma
has really committed a crime. I sup-
pose. in r we must risk the danger of
Tillis I'll take care of that part when
we get the girls "
"You would try to escape would
even try to kill me to escape "
"Nonsense. If you will assist in res-
cuing the gills mill let Alma .lurnieff
scape. I will go back to Tillis with you
and take my medicine."
"You would risk death and disgrace
for tin; girl you love?"
"Yes. I'd risk hell for tlx; girl I
love "
"That is love! That is love! it is as
I feel myself I.el me think! What a
problem for a man to solve!"
He abruptly left Harvey who rat
down preferring lo let Orskoff work
out the problem himself Orskoff paced
gravely up and down never once look-
ing at Harvey.
"Have you a plan?" he asked sud-
denly slopping before Harvey.
"(jive me your answer to the prob-
lem you have set out to solve. ami I
will give you the plan I have thought
of"
Again that monotonous pacing up
and down the deck. It seemed to Irons
as though the Russian was growing
older looking each moment Again tie-
feverish eyes and working lips. It
came to an end at last. With a sigh
as if exhausted Orskoff dropped into
the chair by the side of Irons.
"Well. I have fought the fight." lie
said wearily.
"And won?" asked Harvey.
"No; !od knows it is no victory! I
have lost. My patriotism goes down
before my love f am a Russian. I
know the Russian cruelties to those
who defy the czar. I know the pitiless
rule that breaks the hearts and destroys
the lives of those who even permit a
culprit to escape. Knowing this- know-
ing the punishment' the disgrace the
horror of treachery-I have resolved to
become-a traitor!"
"A traitor! What nonsense!"
"Yes a traitor to the czar! You and
I will soon be under the same con-
demnation. We will go together to the
very throne of Itokhara if necessary
and rescue those we love or die in the
attempt. It is settled. I will not turn
buck!"
CIIArTKU XVIII.
A CONTRACT WITH A KOIinm Cltir.F.
AUVEY broke the spell of si-
lence: "1 thought you would see
daylight. Now that we agree.
let us go on ami plan. We must not
lose sight of the fact that wo are deal-
ing with unknown iianiitios. We have
no method of learning just where the
Victor Lump Coal
Wagon Yards and courteous treatment to ail.
WHEN IN TOWN -sm
girls are. Ye must use measures that
will assist us. What was your idea
when you spoke of becoming u traitor?"
"I become a traitor the mm I I
give you your liberty and accompany
you upon the proscribed ground of Ito-
khara." "You must go even furlher than that.
We must use the robbers."
"I'alpak! I must al least send him
and his brothers to Tillis."
"You will then throw aside tin' one
staff that can assist us over the dilH-
culty." "What use can Ihe robbers be to us?"
"Tills fellow I'alpak is chief of a dan
called Zannucks who hate the ameer
and all those who are faithful to him.
I overheard them talking in the rave.
It seeies the ameer levies such ex-
orbitant taxes that tin" Zannucks can-
not pay. He taxes everything-wives
children eat'le. That is the reason the
chief seeks )o rob Ihe ameer and his
people-to reimburse the Zannucks.
I'alpak would not hesitate to help us
if by helping us he could work injury
to the ameer firant the robbers their
freedom. Let them take their booty to
their people on condition that they as-
sist us in rescuing the girls."
"Set free robbers who huvi attacked
Russian paymasters!"
"Yijii said that you would pot turn
back. Now you are trying to turn two
ways-one toward Tiflis. the other to-
ward I'.nkhara. It will not do. If you
wish to accomplish anything in this
affair you must go the whole figure-
stake all and win or lose. That is the
way I do business."
"What is your plan?"
"Have Palpal; brought here and let
us talk with him in a straightforward
businesslike way. Any man will help
another if he .au also beaclit himself
by doing so.1'
"1 have it to you. Your head is full
of plans while mine is simply taken up
with thinking of pom Koura."
"I IhiiiK of Alma as much as you do
of Noma. I ' 1 1 1 simply thinking will
not res' ".ii: them. We must act and act
tpiH kly."
Orskoff sent for Nevi.sk.v. The lieu-
tenant was pacing the bridge eager lo
lie off. lie could not understand whv
the (aplaiu did not hurry to Tillis Willi
the prisoners instead of wasting tie
lime chatting in an apparently liiciidly
way with one of them.
"Lieuleiiant have th" chief robber
brought to me" said the captain.
As I'alpak was being led toward
them OrskolT said to Harvey; "Conduce
the negotiations. 1 will agice lo any-
thing you plan."
Orskoff ordered the Irons removed
from the robber. When the three were
alone. Harvey said to I'alpak:
"We have had you brought Iut" to
havo a businesslike talk. You appre-
ciate your situation I suppose."'
"I am a prisoner of the c.ar. He
will perhaps kill me."
".lust so. And ait of your trcuisuie.
COALJ
KENYON
tin." stealings of many months is on
board this boat."
"Yes to enrich a Russian officer. My
people can starve. The ameer's tax
must be paid or twenty of our best
young men and women must go to
Itokhara. It is wrone."
I
"of course it is wrong. We know
your people hate the nmeer and that
the ameer is cruel. It was a Strang"
chance that took me to Unit Island of
I l'ing Sluing "
"Vou saved my life for my brothers
were mad wit!: wine "
"Your f :.; ;a com so will show wheth-
er I dii well Let iin; explain bow I
came to the island "
'I hen followed a detailed rehearsal
of the story of Koura and Alma.
"Tiny are beanlifiil ;irls." said
Harvey us le concluded "One Is to
be the wife of tin? captain; the other
Is to be my wife."
"Why do you tell ine this? I am a
prisoner "
"I'.eeause we want your assistance
In rescuing 'those two nil Is from the
men of I'.okhara. They are your one.
inics. and yon have sulhcieiil reason
to hale tin-in "
"Rut I do not love the Russians
more."
"This is not a question of loving the
Russians I saved your life did I not?"
"I would do anything for you."
"Suppose you are set free and the
treason" is restored lo you. The only
return we ask is that you give us all
the assistance In your power to recover
the wo . oung women."
"Do you mean that the Riis.;ian will
permit me to depart in peace to inv
people and lake with me the treasure
that I stole?"
"Yes; to rescue the young girls we
will do that. I he ciipiain has promised
It."
" Do you agree?" put In OrskolT anx-
iously. "I am not a fool "
"Thai means you agree of course"
said Harvey "The ameer is the sliest
rascal in Asia but our united brains
ought to be able to outwit hint i'irst
wo must ligurc out. uln-re h iils
probably are now."
"Where was lie." aniper's boat When
you saw II?" asked I'alpak eagerly.
"I cannot say I drilled all ilav and
half Ihe nighi before reached ihe is-
land It went In ihe same direction I
diified "
"They were rning to Siloon."
"What is Siloon?"
"Tlie most important port on the Ro-
kharaii shore. It is not a amiin k vil-
lae nor do the people like the ameer.
They are f.ir the grcuur part exiles
from Khiva "
"Then they will not fight for the
ameer?"
' No nor against liim. They wish
only to be let alone."
"How long would it take the boat to
reach Siloon?"
'"''wo da vs. l'.y this time they are at
"H't Jin it JunJ. joh hriimiht hnrc tt have
a hiisiiitysltLt; (."
Siloon ami wo could not overtake them
ns the finest camels of ilie ameer would
be in waiting for them with a guard
of ids best soldiers."
"Is It not possible tint n caravan of
rich goods wlli take advantage of this
escort and go to Itokhara V"
"It would be so."
"There would be some delay getting
started."
"The nmeor's soldiers would bo
nfraid to linger."
"Then what can be done T'alpnk?
Yo put the matter into your hands."
"Excellent sirs you promise mo
rnueh. One of you saved my life; the
other u Russian ollicer releases me
and I can take the .treasure to my
starving people. I am grateiul. 1 will
do all 1 cm to nssist you In winning
back the young women. I rom Siloon
the road to Rokhara is winding. It -tuns
through what Is culled the Siloon
pass. We aie now in what is known as
tie; K ha ra bog h a z. A short sail from
here Is a sinill vlilags on the toast be-
longing to my people. I!y go!ivj there
u ml taking the trail over the mountain
we can ieai.li the Siloon pass at a
point wh'-re it. will be four days' Jour-
ney for the caravan. It wlli .take us
only three days."
"Uood:". said Harvey. "What then?"
"The Zaun neks have innnf causes to
hate the soldiers of the ameer. They
will have fine camels and Iioims. Then!
will also be many valuables going to
Rokhara. If thi-ic Is to be a wedding
of n prince there will 1)0 gn-nt feast-
ing and the amei-r will distribute gifts.
Some of tin so will bo iu the caravan.
.My P'-ople will roilow me lo the Siloon
pass "
"Ry lh' K harahoghaz do rou mean
tie- Scythian gnlt ?" asked Hauey.
"Yes It is what we call the yulf "
"Then our plan is clear. Oiskoff. you
u ml I will go wilh I'alpak tn his boat
to this village of his people and ac-
company Iiim warriors to ihe pass.
Send Nevlsky to Siloon with all speed.
If he Innls Ihe enra a n there let him
attack nod rescue the girls. If the
en ra van has gone let him wait there
tor our return. Wo must to hack to
SHomi if we leseui- the girls or there;
will in" no way of lealng the coast."
"I will explain tin; plan to Nevisky."
said Oiskoff
Nevisky listened with many inif:giv-
Invs A Russian n.'ri r to mlease pris-
oners In i his manlier mid to set foot
on torbidden soil! lint OrskolT was
ids superior otln-er. lie could do noth-
ing but obey.
The treasure was placed in I'alpak'fi
Railing M-s"-el. and the four robbers
with Harvey and OrskolT. the hitter
fully arieeil from the stoics of the
gunboat went on board. The gunboat
steamed away for Siloon. and the oth-
er boat with all sail set started for
I'alpak's little village.
To P.K ClNTINt i:tl
Feels Like Thirty Cents.
It make? an editor feel like thir-
ty cents to receive a bill for grocef-
ies on a billhead" printed iby some
cheap outfit in Massachusetts just
after having written a half column
on the abominable custom some
people have of patronizing Mont-
gomery Ward Sears-Roebuck. It
makes him feel like calling on the
shade of Walton to forgive him for
having been a fish called a sucker.
Tote fair and practice what you
preach- All newspapers are not
parasites and there is not a town
in the United States of any conse-
quence that does not owe more to
some enterprising newspaper thrn
his ever been paid. Almagon'a
(N. M.) Journal.
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Brandon, Walter R. Canyon City News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, September 30, 1904, newspaper, September 30, 1904; Canyon City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth322949/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .