Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-10-11

and vines that had planted, all grew
as plants never grew before on q new
place.
One bright Sunday in November. as
we were sitting at lunch, Maria was
remarking pensively on the many
blessings we were enjoying. and (she
is of q rather devout turn of mind)
was saying that we had good reason
for keeping Thanksgiving Day this
year if never before.
From where she sat she could look
out of that lovely window toward the
village and the church, and at this
point she called my attention to a
peculiar group in the street. They
had stopped in front of the adjoining
lot. a vacant lot owned by Mr.. Van
Grinder. and seemed hesitating for q
moment what to do.
There was very ordinary, raw
boned team of horses attached to q
heavy farm wagon, empty or nearly
| so. On the drivers seat was a good
natured looking Irishman. and beside
him was quite an old man, whom re-
member to have seen hanging about
the saloons; one of those blear-eyed
old reprobates who make us resigned
to (but incredulous oD the deadly
| effects of drink.
| Behind the wagon walked young
pettifogging lawyer Of the place. whom
1 just knew by sight, and with him
was man whose face could not see
distinctly, but whose figure was dimly
associated in my mind with something
unpleasant-I couldn't recall what.
The horses were turned up on the
sidewalk and their discouraged heads
hung over the rickety fence that sep
arated Mr.. Van Grinders lot from the
street. The old man climbed down
from the seat and seemed to be point
ing the way for them to move.
Strangely enough his unsteady finger
appeared to aim directly toward our
house.
| The stranger now turned so that l
had good view of his countenance,
when at once l knew him; it was
Ephraim Jorton. A cold chill ran
down my back as glanced again at
the empty wagon and saw that it was
not empty. 1t contained long pine
box that reached slightly above the
sides of the wagon, and my worst fears
were realized-almost; for 1 still had
reason to be thankful that it was Van
Grinders lot and not mine that they
seemed about to enter.
At q word from the lawyer the old
man and Jorton gave a pull at the top
rail of the fence, and over it came.
Then they took bee-line; yes, for
my house and for the very window
where we were now breathlessly
watching.
Maria was puzzled and interested; !
was in agony.
Though the ground was rough and
steep in places, the driver dashed his
old horses and persuaded them that
they were to move straight ahead and
follow the men before them.
1t now appeared why SO rough q
turnout had been used to convey
shudder to say it-a dead body to its
final restlng-place.
Diagonally across the corner of the
lot straight on they all came, remorse-
less as fate, till finally they reached an
other fence. This time it was newer
fence. 1t was my fence.
Jorton went to the wagon and re-
turned with hammer and chisel, with
which he proceeded carefully to take
down a length of the fence. l couldn't
help thinking that he handled it near
ly as if it were his own fence.
Stupidity wondering what they would
do next, stood like statue or fool,
till Maria asked me if was the latter,
cor why didn't 60 up and stop them?'
Mechanically put on my hat and
went out, though had an awful fore
boding that shouldn't be able to
stop them. asked Jorton what he
was about, to which he replied that
Lawyer Snively would explain.
That gentleman bowed. and drew
from his pocket a paper which he said
was copy of the deed OF this land.
from the Jorton family. He read the
clause reserving the burying-ground,
and concluding: Together with a
right of way to and from the said bury
ing-ground, for the purpose of burying
their dead, to them and their heirs for
ever"
"You can't blame Mr.. Jorton," said
he. "for he is descendant, and even
bears the identical name of that early
Ephraim Jorton, and it isn't his fault
that the mother of his deceased wife
happened to die at his house. not far
from here; she had to be buried some
where"
/ u