The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-22
UNsArIsFAcroRY.
pie P. Read, in New York Mercury !

UNSATISFACTORY.
 lopie P. Read, in New York Mercury.l
 Nearly every map who goes into the noiseless interior of Arkansaw comes away impressed with the people, and there have been many extravaganf stories told of the squatters, but many of them that seem to be congregations are true. Several days ago, Colonel Mableson, a weil-known civil engineer, returned to Liule Rock from trip into the interior of Perry county, whither he went on busi- ness connected with a projected railway. As nearly as can remember, this is the story of his squafter experience: It seemed impossible to 20 among those hills and into those deep silent ravines without becoming lost. They are like the houses in a Quaker city, nearly all alike. One day, after several hours of aimiess. not to say confused, strolling, I came upon small log house where the large trees where so dense that in many places they touched each other. l was alone, having Jeff all of the men at the camp, and the sight of an old fellow sitting on log near the house was not unwelcome, assure you.
 How do you do!' said l advan- cing.
 Not much, he replied, looking at me carelessly. have charge of a surveying party out here and while wandering around have lost my way"
 Whut sorter party v
 Surveying party"
 Never heard O one afore. Heard O shindigs an infares, but never heard O a surveyin' party
 You misunderstood me. It is not a dancing party of men, as you seem to suppose"
 "A party of men engaged in making out line for a new railroad.n
 They don't dance, then:'
 "No.s
 Ain't much Q party, mus allow Wouldn't be koteh at one O 'em," and UyzsSS spit.
 .I would like some information con- cerning the location of my camp. It is just to the lett of Mason's creek, about one mile from where it emp,ies into the river"
 "Whar the camp empties into the river?"
 "Oh, no. the creekr
 50 the camp don't empty inter the river"
 Certainly not"
 :. It's the creek that does the empty in .''
 Why, of oourse.''
 An yer wanier know whar the camp is.a
 :. That's it,
 Wall, it's on the creek, yer say -
 .'Yes, on the creek"
 About a mile from the place whar she empties?'
 Yes"
 Wall, 1 reckin it's thar
 looked at him long and earnestly, but could no more explain his inten- tions nor solve the curious problem of vanished in the air.
 But. sir" continued, Il want 10 know where the creek is.'
 Wy. ii runs long by the camp"
 "Oh, know that, bu, want 10 know how 10 ind the camp"
 ''Go ter the creek"
 :" But hang il, want 10 find the creek
 "Go ter the camp
 l looked at him again, long and ear nestly, but his face was as grave as the shadow of an owl. Now. look here. my triend.'
 Am lookin' thar"
 " am very anxious to get back to camp. Night is coming on and the men will be uneasy about me. don't see what good you will derive from playing with me. 1 have never harmed you in the least. and why do you perss, in con- fusing me: Now. if you please, tell me how can had my gay to the creek"
 Stranger" he replied with solemn air, yer seem ter know more 'bou, the camp than do. You've told me more bout it than ever woulder knowed ef yer haden'ter come long. Efyer wan,er get back thar. yer'd better travel; that's all know bout it, fur don't meddle with no mans business. Ef yer goes this way, yer mout come ter the creek, but then agin yer mouten :; an ef yer go that way, yer mout come ter it, an then agin yer moutent. I al'ers make it a pint never ter gin smart man advice, an 1t peers ter me that yer's got more sense than have. Good-day sir,r and he walked away, leaving me no wiser than when first began to talk to him.