CHAPTER XXI
A MINING SETTLEMENT IN MONTANA
Campville was a small mining settlement in Montana.
All the buildings were of a temporary character—generally of one story. There was a long street, after the fashion of most western-pioneer settlements, but the houses on it were not many. The largest was a general store for the sale of such articles as miners need. It was kept by one Joe Loche. He came from Maine to Montana, mined for a while with indifferent success, and then opened a store. This was a business he knew something about, and he succeeded almost immediately. His store was a general rendezvous of miners in the intervals of work.
One morning, when four or five persons were in Loche's store, sitting around on kegs, a young man of about thirty entered. He had a long, thin face and roving eyes, and looked like one whom a prudent man would not care to meet on a dark night.
He entered the store and looked about him curiously. He was a stranger in the settlement, and his glances were returned with interest.
"Mornin' stranger!" said Loche, who always had an eye for a possible customer. "What can I do for you? What did you say your name was?"
"I didn't say."
This curt answer produced an unfavorable impression.
"I reckon you've got a name, ain't yer?" said Joe, coldly.