Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-12


eyes, sir, and in the best of order. A
good workman always takes good care of
! his tools. -
''Can t you make a sale of them for a
fair price? The boys need money. You
might help them IN that way without
| hurting their self-respect. -
The foreman absented himself for a
| few minutes. When he returned he
brought check for $500.
''shal we make this payable to you
sir?''
"Make it payable to Ned-Edward
| Austin. He is the head of the family
and we must look upon him as q man
| henceforth.
Ned did not look at all like man or
the head of family, but like q slight,
| careworn boy, when the young people
Joined their friend on the steps of the
treasury building.
In the Office where the entries were
made, the clerk was talking with q
lady, who appeared to be an old &C
Quaintanoe. She was a pretty woman
and stylishly dressed.
"Now do advise me- she was saying
in a coaxing tone. " Would you pre-
empt it or homestead it? Which is the
least trouble?''
elf you pre-empt it ir will cost you q
81 so an acre, and you'll have to live on
it six months. If you homestead it,
amount to S2I; SIS when you enter it
S more on final proof. But you III have
to live on it for five years. -
"Five years? You don't mean it,?
cried the lady, with little scream of
horror. "Would't once week or twice
a month do?'
"You might make it do,' said the
clerk with meaning smile; "but you ID
have to run risks
"Five yearsl Oh, that would never
do, - SAID the lady impatiently. "Whyl
What in the world does the government
suppos l want to take up its old lands
for? 1 want the money for it. -
$50 do most people, remarked the
clerk with another expressive smile.
"Now, pre-empting sounds more SEN
sible,'' continued the lady; "though
how in the world am going to bury my
self there for Six months l don't see.
Say, don't you suppose if I dress up
dummy and set it by the window, [ can
come down to the city every week or so,
TO go to the theater and do little shop
ping?'
"Woman's wit will probably find
way out of the dilemma, - observed the
clerk.
"And then at the end of the six months
I'd have to pay-let me see-S2O0. And
1 can get $50 an acre for the land as soon
as have the title. Thirty times 100
Why, it's nearly $4,000! That's not
bad speculation after all. -
The lady finished her calculation with
triumphant laugh.
"Let me see your forms or what
ever you call them. Oh, if you
please?" extending her hand for
the pamphlet Martin was exam
ming.
''But see what it says hsre,'' cried
Martin, pointing to the affidavit: 81
do solemnly swear-nor have 1 settled
upon and improved SAID land to sell the
same on speculation but in good
faith
"Oh, nonsense!" exclaimed the lady.
'But don't you have to take your
oath?" persisted the boy.
"What a little goose!'' laughed the
lady, recovering herself. "Why every
body does so. People are doing it every
day. Thousands of acres are entered
that way every year, and everybody
knows 1t. -
"But isn't swearing to something that
ism It true, periury?" insisted Martin,
stoutly.
That's enough, young man, - hastily
interposed the clerk. "It's all matter
of form. Everybody understands it,"
When the boys turn came, the clerk
eyed them with rank disfavor, for Mar
tin 3 blunt speeches had not aroused the
good will of the office.
HYou don t mean to say that you are
twenty-one years old, young MANI" he
demanded of Ned.
"No, sir, but 1 am the head of the
family
"Father and mother dead, eh?''
"The mother Is dead, interposed
Mr.. Roberts, in low voice.
''And the father?''
''Here is a physician 8 certificate
showing that the father is hopelessly ill.,
capHcitated. -
"Never had such o case before, - said
the clerk CURLY, shaking his head. awe
couldn t think of receiving such an ap-
plication.
owe shall have to give it up, boys"
said Mr.. Roberts, sadly.
Ned saw all his golden hopes fading,
and his heart sank within him, but he
made one last brave stand.
al want to see the United States land
register himself, - he said.
Tro BE CONTINUED