CHAPTER XXXVI. PAUL SELLS THE MINE.

 After a fatiguing¹ trip Paul and his eccentric acquaintance reached Custer City. It was a rough journey, but Paul enjoyed it, and he was equally entertained and instructed by the comments of his traveling companion, who on his part formed a special liking² for Paul.

"Did you say you owned a hotel in Custer City, Mr. Scott?" asked Paul, when they were near the end of the journey.

"Jim Scott owns such a hotel," answered Mr. Scott, significantly.

"Beg pardon, I mean Jim. If the price isn't high, I will stop there."

"The price is high and the accommodations very or'nary," said Scott, frankly³, "but the price to you won't be anything. You'll be there as my company."

"Oh, but Jim, you won't make any money if you act so generously; but I thank you all the same."

"I don't want to make any money out of you, youngster."

[Pg 247]"I haven't done anything to deserve such kindness, Jim."

"Then we'll say you haven't. Look here, youngster, old Jim's been prospered⁴, and he's got no one to spend his money on. It won't hurt him to give you free board, and he's goin' to do it."

Paul grasped the rough hand of his new friend, and frankly accepted the offer, which acceptance Jim appeared to regard as a personal favor.

He was installed in a tolerably comfortable room in the Black Hills Hotel—as comfortable, at any rate, as the hotel, which was a rough-looking structure, afforded, and soon made himself at home.

Of course, curiosity soon induced him to roam about the town. It was composed of extemporaneous⁵ structures, for the town was as yet in its infancy⁶, and built somewhat on the plan of Cheyenne, and other towns which he had seen along the union Pacific road. The town lots had been staked out sixty by one hundred and fifty feet in size, and the principal street, which had been named after General Crook⁷, was two hundred feet wide. Other streets were a hundred and fifty feet wide. The "city" was certainly of mushroom growth, not less than four hundred buildings having been erected⁸ in a single month.

To Paul everything seemed new, strange, and delightful⁹. It was a state of society to which he had not[Pg 248] been accustomed, and excited his curiosity and interest. He found that fashionable attire¹⁰ was not at all required in Custer City. Men went about dressed like day laborers¹¹ of the humblest sort, who at home had been accustomed to the comforts and refinements¹² of life. Everything was free and unconventional, and so everybody felt thoroughly¹³ independent.

Some of the leading citizens lived in Jim Scott's hotel, which was pretty well filled.

Occupying a room just opposite Paul's was a small, elderly man, with stiff, gray hair, a wizened¹⁴ face, and crafty¹⁵ eyes.

"Who is my opposite neighbor, Jim?" asked Paul, with some curiosity.

"Oh, that's old Fox—Simeon Fox."

Paul pricked¹⁶ up his ears. He remembered that Mr. Bradford's partner in the Blackstone mine bore the name of Fox. If this was the man, he didn't doubt from his looks that he was capable of outwitting and swindling his employer. He didn't think it politic¹⁷, however, just at present to show any particular interest in the man.

"What is his business?" inquired Paul, in an indifferent tone.

"He is part owner of one of our best mines."

"What is the name of the mine?"

"The Blackstone mine."

[Pg 249]"You say he is part owner; who is the partner?"

"Some rich man in Chicago. Ten to one old Simeon will fleece him."

"I suppose such a mine as that is worth considerable money."

"Oh, yes."

"About how much?"

"Why, youngster, you don't want to buy into it, do you?"

"Not in the present state of my finances," answered Paul, laughing.

"Oh, well, I'd give thirty thousand dollars myself for the Blackstone mine."

Thirty thousand dollars! That would make fifteen thousand dollars for a half interest, and Simeon Fox had tried to induce Mr. Bradford to sell his half for two thousand dollars! This was an obvious swindle.

"Would Mr. Fox sell out for that sum, do you think?" asked Paul.

"It's likely he wouldn't. He's making too much money out of it. But, youngster, you seem particularly interested in the mine."

"I am," answered Paul, quietly.

He had rapidly decided¹⁸ that it would be for his interest to reveal to Jim Scott his real business at Custer City.

"Well, that's strange! What can it be to you?"

[Pg 250]"Jim, can you keep a secret?"

"Can I? I reckon!"

"Then I will tell you one. I am sent out here by Mr. Bradford, of Chicago, Simeon Fox's partner."

Scott whistled, and looked at Paul in evident amazement¹⁹.

"He must have great confidence in you, youngster, to send out a boy of your age."

"I think he has," answered Paul, with pardonable pride. "Now, I want to know if you will help me?"

In answer Mr. Scott put his hard and horny hand into the boy's, and said:

"You can depend on Jim Scott every time."

"Then I'll tell you how the case stands. This Fox is continually sending on discouraging accounts about the mine to Mr. Bradford, and he lately offered him two thousand dollars for his half."

"The mean cuss! I beg your pardon, that ain't the word I meant to use, but maybe its the best."

"He thought Mr. Bradford would get discouraged, and sell out without taking any trouble to verify his statement."

"I see."

"But he suspected there was a conspiracy²⁰ to cheat him, and he sent me out with full power to act for him."

[Pg 251]"That's a good 'un! And old Fox doesn't know of your bein' here."

"He has no idea that Mr. Bradford has sent a messenger."

"I shall be glad to see the old rascal²¹ taken in."

"Mr. Bradford gave five thousand dollars for his half of the mine."

"And it was a good bargain at that price. But he never ought to have taken Simeon Fox as a partner."

"What would you advise me to do, Jim?"

"You might take old Fox at his word, and buy his half for two thousand dollars."

"Then the swindle would be on our side."

"No, because he proposed the trade."

"Mr. Bradford is a rich man, and though he wants justice in the matter, he does not care to take any advantage."

"Then, Paul, I'll tell you what you'd better do."

"What, Jim?"

"Have you full authority to act for Mr. Bradford?"

"Yes, as I can show you."

"I'll take your word for it. Sell to me."

"Are you willing to buy?"

"Yes, if you'll give me a good bargain?"

"What would you consider a good bargain, Jim?"

"I'll pay you twelve thousand dollars for the share you have to sell, money down, or my draft on Chicago."

[Pg 252]"Will it be worth that to you?"

"It will be worth more or I wouldn't buy, but it isn't worth that to your principal, for he can't be here to look after old Fox with his tricks."

"He may try some of them on you, Jim."

"I'll risk it. He'll find I get up in the morning as early as he does. To be plain with you, Paul, I'll make him an offer, give or take, and either way I shall make money. If the whole mine is in my hands I can make it pay."

"Very well, Jim. I am ready to accept your offer."

"I didn't much think," said Scott, laughing, "when I came across you in Cheyenne, that I should buy a mine of you."

"You didn't think I carried one about with me?" said Paul, laughing.

"I sha'n't let Simeon know about our bargain just yet. I want you to have a talk with him, and see what the old rascal has to say."

1 fatiguing   

a.使人劳累的

参考例句：

• He was fatiguing himself with his writing, no doubt. 想必他是拼命写作，写得精疲力尽了。
• Machines are much less fatiguing to your hands, arms, and back. 使用机器时，手、膊和后背不会感到太累。

2 liking   

n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢

参考例句：

• The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
• I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

3 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

4 prospered   

成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The organization certainly prospered under his stewardship. 不可否认，这个组织在他的管理下兴旺了起来。
• Mr. Black prospered from his wise investments. 布莱克先生由于巧妙的投资赚了不少钱。

5 extemporaneous   

adj.即席的，一时的

参考例句：

• She made an extemporaneous speech on the ceremony.她在典礼上做了一次即兴演讲。
• Nixon carried away with it all,delivered his extemporaneous toast.尼克松对一切都很满意，颇有些情不自禁地发表了他的即席祝酒词。

6 infancy   

n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期

参考例句：

• He came to England in his infancy.他幼年时期来到英国。
• Their research is only in its infancy.他们的研究处于初级阶段。

7 crook   

v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处)

参考例句：

• He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.我骂他骗子，他要我向他认错。
• She was cradling a small parcel in the crook of her elbow.她用手臂挎着一个小包裹。

8 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

9 delightful   

adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的

参考例句：

• We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
• Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。

10 attire   

v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装

参考例句：

• He had no intention of changing his mode of attire.他无意改变着装方式。
• Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire.他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。

11 laborers   

n.体力劳动者，工人( laborer的名词复数 )；（熟练工人的）辅助工

参考例句：

• Laborers were trained to handle 50-ton compactors and giant cranes. 工人们接受操作五十吨压土机和巨型起重机的训练。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Wage-labour rests exclusively on competition between the laborers. 雇佣劳动完全是建立在工人的自相竞争之上的。 来自英汉非文学 - 共产党宣言

12 refinements   

n.（生活）风雅；精炼( refinement的名词复数 )；改良品；细微的改良；优雅或高贵的动作

参考例句：

• The new model has electric windows and other refinements. 新型号有电动窗和其他改良装置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is possible to add a few useful refinements to the basic system. 对基本系统进行一些有益的改良是可能的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

14 wizened   

adj.凋谢的；枯槁的

参考例句：

• That wizened and grotesque little old man is a notorious miser.那个干瘪难看的小老头是个臭名远扬的吝啬鬼。
• Mr solomon was a wizened little man with frizzy gray hair.所罗门先生是一个干瘪矮小的人，头发鬈曲灰白。

15 crafty   

adj.狡猾的，诡诈的

参考例句：

• He admired the old man for his crafty plan.他敬佩老者的神机妙算。
• He was an accomplished politician and a crafty autocrat.他是个有造诣的政治家，也是个狡黠的独裁者。

16 pricked   

刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry. 厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• He was pricked by his conscience. 他受到良心的谴责。

17 politic   

adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政

参考例句：

• He was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage.他很聪明，不会与这么重要的人争吵。
• The politic man tried not to offend people.那个精明的人尽量不得罪人。

18 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

19 amazement   

n.惊奇，惊讶

参考例句：

• All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
• He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。

20 conspiracy   

n.阴谋，密谋，共谋

参考例句：

• The men were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.这些人被裁决犯有阴谋杀人罪。
• He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.他声称这一切都是一场针对他的阴谋。

21 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。