The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-06-19

foreman of the factory. You
wouldn't know the old place; it's
changed a good deal since you were
there. I'm just going up to the store
to get some things. and if you will
wait here. I'll hurry and give you a
ride back"
Thank you!" said Kent, grateful
W.
And the girl, touching the pony
with her whip drove on.
stShe at least is honest and sincere"
unused Kent, leaning on the bridge
rail and gazing into the water. .sShe
always was straightforward and out
spoken, and she's grown TO be a very
beautiful woman"
There was a school Of little fish just
under the edge OF the bridge, and he
amused himself by watching their
playful gambols. until the pony came
trotting back.
Then he clambered in beside the
girl, and, under the influence of her
CHEEKY manner, his face frightened,
and he talked freely about himself and
his adventures.
81 suppose Hill Farm is still owned
by my cousinP" he asked.
Yes, Nick Warner is still master,
and as mean as ever. He's getting
richer every day, what with Che farm,
and the factory, and the orchard. But
he gets no pleasure out OF his money,
and works every day like a slave.
He's cutting down all the woodland,
and this morning gave orders that the
big elm that %overhangs the eastern
corner of the house be felled.''
That's a pity!' said Kent. ..It
was my uncles favorite tree. My great
great grandfather, who was an officer
IN W~ashington's army. planted it. I
have heard the story often. One day
he entertained the Father Of his
Country and some officers in the old
mansion. They lode over from the
headquarters of the Continental army,
which was then at Danvers. General
Washington's riding whip was a small
elm branch. When he started to 90
back, my great great grandfather
noticed it aud presented the General
with his own riding whip. In re-
%membrance of the Father of his Cou n
try, he planted the elm branch and it
valued it, but my Cousin Warner is
not a man of poetic temperament,
and would very quickly sacrifice a
family relic, if it added to his rev.
enues.
These reflections led Kent into q
reminiscent vein, and he RECALLED his
fair listener with stories and quaint
anecdotes OF his ancestors, who had
been among the first settlers and had
been prominent men in the infant
colony.
.sff your uncle had only made an
other will before he died, as everv-
body believed he intended to do said
the girl, when he finished, 'syou
would have been master at Hill
Farm"
sYes." he answered, with a sigh of
regret. and relapsed into silence.
When the pony turned into the
well remembered carriage road which
led by the graveyard where lay the
bones Of his ancestors for many gen
e%rations, and finally mounted the lit
tie hill, on whose brow the tenant
house was built. Ella Osborne noticed
That there were y in her compan-
ions eyes and her hand touched his
with womanly sympathy.
Il am sorry. John" she said, "that
it makes you feel so bad
II am all right now" he answered.
bravely dashing away the tears; and
jumping from the wagon, walked
through the neglected grounds to the
great elm tree, at whose base two
sturdy woodmen were ind ustrlously
chopping.
He watched them awhile with misty
eyes. and was about turning away
when an exclamation from one of the
choppers caught his cal, and caused
him to approach nearer
II swan, Jim!' said the man to his
companion; "we've had our labor for
our pains. The old tree is only a shell,
and it is fit for nothing put stove
wood
.sThe boss will be as mad as a hor-
nett vouchsafed the other.
And they resumed their cutting.
Like my hopes!' murmured John
Kent, watching them. 1.-The old tree
is a delusion."
Presently it began to totter, and the
choppers had just time to jump to one
side when it fell with a great crash,
and twtgs and bits of bark flew in all
directions.
One of the mon climbed up its hol-
low trunk and began looping off the
limbs.
John Kent stepped forward intend
ing TO ask for a piece of the old tree as
a souvenir, when the mar among the
limbs dropped his ak and jumped ex-
citedly to the ground.
"Ho, Jim!" he cried. t'Here is a
4 Nv, hoo x,,1-.ol ;-Ao tlo <1rlr, hnrL~
there's gold in it, for old Sam. Kent
was considerable of a miser, and this
may be some of his store"
That is certainly a box that be-
1onged to my uncle" said Kent, APP
%proacbing. lam Mr.. Kent's nephew "
Tho man who had discovered the
box, pulled it from its hiding place,
and muttering something about Find
ings being keepings, passed. it over to
1 Kent.
With trembling hands the young
man wrenched off the rusty lid, and
the young men bent forward eagerly to
see what it contained.
Only a bundle of papers, yellow
with age. and tied together with a
faded piece Of blue ribbon.
sOnly papers!" they cried, in chorus,
and turned away in disgust.
John Kent, however, seized the
package, and brushing aside the mold
read this endorseMent'on the back of
the topmost paper:
Last WIN and Testament of Samuel Kent,
Yeoman." I
Found at last!" he cried, joyfully.
tsThank heaven
He dropped the empty box, and wav-
ing the papers triumphantly in the
air, ran toward Ella Osborne, who was
4 advancing to meet hie.