Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-05

hunters was what was needed 70 Civ
Young Woodbury. robust health. s.
The lad had his way and his outfit wa
added to that of he hunters.
During that winter they were un
usually successful, for game wa
abundant. Every night the hunter
increased their stock Of furs. Abou
the first Of February they began Il
think Of returning home. Some In
dians from the headwaters Of the Ken
nebec river were hired to take the fur
down to Lowell. The early spring
made it necessary to travel as fast a
possible over the crusts from midnigh
until about 10 o'clock, when the mus
call a halt until the snow again frozt
and made another crust strong enough
to bear the Indians and their loaded
sleds until they came to more settled
portion of the stage, where they could
follow the beaten thorough-fares,
| At Lexington, hamlet amidst the
mountains, they rested day in 1
small country tavern. While here g
stranger calling himself Jim Jones
asked permission to join the party, a.
he was making straight for Lowell. '
Moze did not like the looks of the
man, but with his usual good nature
he gave reluctant consent and the
party proceeded on their way.
II may be as we'll to state that John
left the party at this point to travel
faster than the others could with their
packs of furs to arrange for some sort
of conveyance to take the whole
amount to Portland, the nearest and
best as soon as all reached Lowell. 1t
| was rather more than a couple of days
journey on foot from Lexington to
Lowell. During that time both Moze
and Wesley felt that Jim Jones was
suspicious character.
He tried hard to appear remarkably
good natured and full Of sor:: of
rough fun, was willing to lend hand
over the rough places and all that but
his evil eye rested so often on the well
laden sleds that the owners could not
feel at ease in his company. They
heartily wished he had not come with
them. aua ..a. .r,g.a To
They found a rude log tavern in
the hills and took their meal there.
Jones went a little distance up the
mountain side to see some sttler while
they were resting 'aar .a.as '"
This was such a good opportunity
to get rid of him that they started as
soon as he had gone out Of sight. To
their dismay he cut across the hills
and Joined them long before their MD
day halt. .eai. ....
There vas no help for it now. They
paid no attention to him except when
he thrust himself upon them. and
then they would not quarrel or drink
with him. He was disappointed and
showed it.
Lowell was reached without any
particular trouble, and Jim Jones at
once disappeared, and all hoped they
had seen the last of him. .
John had brought the money to pay
the Indians, and he had also secured
ample pung room to pack the furs for
further carriage. This the three set
about doing as rapidly as possible.
When they had finished they found
that the top of the pung did not cover
the whole lot of furs. This would
make little difference as they found a
piece of sail canvas and fastened it
securely over the furs next to the
drivers elevated seat. Then they had
the pung locked into one of the Walk
er's tavern stables, where they were as
sured it would be perfectly safe. The
hunters had done q good winters
work and they were beginning to
think of the handsome sum of money
which they would get in exchange for
the furs.s ..
They were very tired now that the
long tramp was so nearly over and
turned in early M
Moze was to start before daylight
on the direct road TO Portland. sixty |
miles distant, and if it did not melt too |
much in the middle Of the day he |
would sleep in the city the next
night.
John and Wesley were to follow
The same road across the pine plains
Tor six or eight miles that lay be-
;ween Lowell and Sweden, the next
town.
Moze and John were astir early and
everything was ready for the depart
ire of the team before the first streak
If day lighted up the eastern hills.
The morning was clear and frosty,
he sky cloudless. AS Moze mounted
he high seat and took the reins in bis
lands he said: ,cl, 3, a,r,.-,.
~ ou can tell Nancy that shall be
lome by Saturday, feeling an unutter-
BILE longing to go home to my wife
nd children at once.
well, now, shan't I 60 an you
tay, asked John, gulping down big
ump in his throat. He had neither
wife nor children and he felt awfully
elfish now. sOnlv ] never Get as much