The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-06-15
Our OF THE WILDERNESS.
BY HILDA.


just where Percy Redmond found him
self one pleasant, hazy day in October,
and there, from all present appear
ances, he was likely to remain for the
next week. He was one of a surveying
party sent out by some rich corporation
TO locate the route for proposed rail
road, and had been authorized TO meet
the balance of the company at the little
town where the opening of our story
makes his acquaintance.
But what was his dismay, on reach
ing the appointed place, to find letter
stating that Mr.. Latham, the civil en-
gineer, had met with a slight accident,
which would detain him in the city for
several days.
looks as though there might be
plenty Of game over in the woods; how
is it, Mr.. Wilkins ?" asked Percy of the
jolly-looking little landlord, who came
out on the porch, dragging csuple Of
big chairs behind him.
Although Mr.. Wilkins was quite
small in stature, he was by no means
SLENDER, and pulled like porpoise at
the least exertion.
PLENTY of game, Mr.. Redmond,
plenty of game" seating himself, his
Short, fat legs scarcely reaching the
floor, and, tanning vigorously with a
road-brimmed straw hat, Mr. Wilkins
prepared to entertain his guest, q treat
he seldom had the pleasure of enjoying
IN this out-of-theway place.
81 believe if | can procure q gun and
ammunition / will take tramp through
the woods tomorrow, said the young
man, "just for the sport.
That can be had easy enough, Mr..
Redmond, easy enough" answered
Wilkins, who had a habit of repeating
his words. "Our schoolmaster, Mr..
Naples, has a splendid gun that he
will lend you willingly, L know; quite
willingly"
"If the railroad should pass through
here, it Will make the land in this vicin-
ity quite valuable, suppose" said
Percy, lazily putting q cigar.
you are right, sir; there is no such
timber IN the State as this is here, not
mentionin' the rich soil. Do you see
that break in the tree trops over south,
sir?" and the hosts pudgy forefinger
was pointe in the direction indicates.
"That's Lutte Mattisons timber. He
owns about 800 acres over there, and,
if this railroad should happen to light
down here, you may just put him down
for a rich man, you may"
"He must lie worth something now"
said Redmond, IF Ire is the owner Of
80 much land"
"There's sort of mystery about
the man, and the man has acted very
queer. I'll just tell you about him, I"
and Wilkins produced black clay pipe
like himself, short and stubby; after a
deal of putting and blowing it was
lighted, and the blue smoke curling
round about his bushy head.
This Lutte Madison has lived in these
parts for nigh about ten years. For q
spell he lived here in town, but finally
he bought ten acres of ground over the
on the hill yonder, and has lived there
ever since. He could just make liv-
ing, and that was all, for himself and
the old woman. But here, sir, Is where
the mystery comes in. One day there
was a letter come TO the postotiice for
Mr.. LUTHER Madison, and the next day
that man came here, dressed in his very
best and took the stage for b.
well, he was gone about week
when he came back he never Gsped
what his business had been or how far
he had gone. No, sir, he never cheeped.
in few weeks he began to inquire the
price Of land around here, and the first
we know Lutte Madison had bought 300
acres of land, and paid the cash, mind,
paid spot cash. Now, where did he get
that money, stranger?"
Percy was very sure he could not
tell but he made guess: MAY be by
speculation"
on are wrong, sir; all wrong; be-
cause he had nothing to speculate with.
He is smart man, sir; an dedicated
man; but we never found out how he
come by that money. Thar were some
as talked about counterfeiting, but they
didn't talk very loud, for Lute's man
o muscle, he is.
"What did he want with so much
land, asked Percy, more for the sake
Of something to say than for any in
ferest he felt in the landlords story
1T was just before the railroad ex
element was stirring us up here, year
ago this spring; pr'aps he thought he
would make a speck. Well, that fal
he made another trip, and when he come
back, by George he brought with hin
one of the purtiest girls that evei
stepped in shoe-leather. She was al
logged out in the finest of clothes, and
she walked as though she owned the
universe. Not that she was so awful
big, but she had such proud way will
her. Madison brought the gal in here
, while he was 'tendin' 10 her trunk
and introduced her as his niece, Mis-
Westfeld And, sir, you would have
laughed to hear the remarks she made
She stood out here on the porch,
iookin' round to see what sort of plac
SHE had got into, when she up and aske,
my old woman where we attende'
church. Hammer Jane told her we ha,
meetin' over in the school-house abou
once in three months. Guess tn
young lady thought she had lit down il
q heather land, guess so, hal hap
Here wilkins paused long enough +