The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-07-27

sach { ling, md I know, too, that
be always eaxrisd this vim with hin
in : long Tin box; therefore advised
Mr.. Sloan 10 make one thorough trial
before hs resigns al hope Of Obtaining
his rights. Now We shall commence
this search Tomorrow, and continne Il
systematically until We are satisfied
that thero II no tin box hidden upon
these thousands Of acres Of land. But
of course We will not be able to do this
alone. We shall require the assistance
Of eome ton or more reliable men who
know the country, and are willing to
work. We will pay good wages-three
dollars Q dAy-and we ought to have
good workmen for that money"
.Yes, !" added Mr.. Sloan, ssand I will
i've hundred dollars to the man who
finds the will, to be paid at once. Now
can you get us enough searchersp"
s'1ndeed cam" replied Mr.. Currie,
cat those terms; for without your liber-
al reward the pay is far better than we
can earn about here. When do you
want the mena''
SIN the morning early" answered
Mr.. Allen, sit the weather permits our
working. I thought before tea, how
ever, that storm was threatening.
Even as he spoke there came, as if in
answer to his words, the light patter of
rain-drops upon the low roof and the
voice of the rising wind moaning
fhrouoh tho forost trooa
"Thetstorm has come, !" said Mrs. Cur
RE, shut it may not be severe nor last
until morning. john" she continued,
turning to her husband, s'would it not
be well no notify some, of the men at
once, and then if it is pleasant to-mor-
row they can be on handp"
~ think it would" he replied; and
as they arose from the table he took his
great coat from the wall and put it on.
"Charley," said he 81 think that you
and might see the Johnsons, the
Macks, Mr.. Pitkin and Fred and Dave
Kingsbury tonight, and in the morning
you can take horse and go after Tom
Cole and some of those who live further
up the river.
"An right sir!" said Charley, spring.
ing to his feet. "I'll 60 to the Macks
and Mr.. Pitkin's across the; Ranistook,
and you see the Others"
And so it was arranged that Mr.. Cur
rie should notify those of his friends who
lived upon the same side of the stream
with himself, while Charley went to the
other side and engaged those there.
Both father and son knew the woods
perfectly, and felt no fear of losing their
way even though the night was dark and
the roads treacherous.
It was about half past seven when they
started, and the rain was still falling.
As the door closed behind them they
turned the one toward the east and the
open country, the other toward the
north and the river, and with a CHEEKY
''Good-bye" separated and disappeared
each upon his journey alone.
Charley walked for half an honr along
3 narrow path winding among the for
est trees toward the old bridge that
crossed the Ranistock. 1t was very
dark, but the boy had travelled the road
SO often that he knew its every turn.
The rain drops falling thick and fast
upon the leaves all about filed the woods
with whisperings and strange voices,
but he gave them no heed; the rising
wind moaned more dismally through the
branches, and creakings and groanings
came from overhead, but still he plOd-
ded on. 1t was about mile to the riv-
er, and when at length he reached the
little bridge that crossed it he paused
moment to rest. As he did 80 he MOTTO
ed that the storm was increasing and
that the sky was heavily overcast with
black, lowering clouds. He therefore
pushed forward at once, and in less than
half an hour more stood at Thomas
Mack's door.
Making known his errand and receiv-
ing an agreement from Mr. Mack to be
at his fathers early in the morning if
the weather permitted, he then pushed
toward Mr.. Pitkin's.
His house lay nearly a mile further
up the river, and the road had grown
deep and heavy with mud, and Charley
himself was soaking wet when, after a
weary hours tramp, Don, Mr.. Pitkin's
great hound, dashed down the pathway
to meet him, barking fiercely. The boy
spoke in low tone, and the old dog,
recognizing friend, ceased to threaten
and trotted toward him with whines of
welcome. The house was dark, for it
was late now, and some moments passed
ere the messenger could arouse those
within, SO loud was the roar of the wind,
30 fierce the dash of the rain. At last,
however, a light appeared, and shortly
after Mr.. Pitkin opened the door, hold
ing candle in one hand and gun in
the other, to demand who was there.
At the sight of Charley, dripping wet,
the master of the house stood his gun in
the corner and invited the boy in to dry
himself before the kitchen fire; but he
refused because of the lateness of the
hour, and, delivering his message, he
babe Mr.. Pitkin "good night" patted
Don, and dashed away down the path
to the road, and so on toward home.
The storm was at its worst now. The
wind roared with terrific fury and the
rain fell in q continuous food. The
great trees along the roadside writhed
and twisted in the gale, groaning dis
mally, and often some mighty branch,
overpowered by its unseen enemy, would
be broken with riflelike crack from
its parent stem and flung crashing upon
the earth below. The din was contiu-
uous.
Charlie was naturally brave, but he
knew the danger that threatened any
one abroad in the woods in such storm,
and he therefore increased his speed,
and wished himself safely at home.
He had passed three-quarters of the
distance to the bridge and was nearing
the stream, when q new sound, rush. |
ing and roaring mightier than that of