Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-06-04


is this one. I'D rather you'd get it.
You will have TO 90 10 W 10 the
| United States Land Office to enter your
application. II Is sixty-fve miles away,
but II you are quick you can make it by
tomorrow night"
Willis thanked his friend heartily, aud
began preparations for an early start,
while the surveyor took walk down
the tent-lined street TO look after Mosely.
In few minutes no returned much
excited.
lyon must start Immediately he
exclaimed. s'Mosely left about noon.
! No one knows where he has gone. but
am certain he is on his way to W..
Is your pony ireshl"
ayes, only rode six miles to-day"
"Good! You had better get started
right off. There's a settlers cabin fifteen
miles from here. and you can put up for
} a little rest. You will reach IL before
midnight"
Taking description of the claim
hastily pcnciled on piece Of paper and
mounting his pony, the young home
seeker cautered away through the dark
ness.
Only the faintess semblance of q road
showed itself, but he was used to the
prdries, and with the deep blue sky
above lighted by diamond points that
shine brighter through the rariiied air of
the prairies than nearer the sea, he
guided his way by Polaris and made
brisk time.
When he reached the cabin of which
the surveyor had told him, he saw light
streaming from the window, and looking
IN, there was girl porting over book
by the illumination furnished by a cheap
lamp. Hearing the knock, she came
quickly to the door,
"Uh," said she, startled as she saw n
stranger before her, 81 thought it was
|. brother Will, he went to town and has
not returned. / am waiting for him."
"Can stay here until morningl" was
Willis's question.
"Why, yes, if you can sleep on the
floor or in the chair; we have one ledger
already"
This was news, aud description was
eagerly asked for.
IAN old man." she said, "vcry tall
and stopped, with nose and chin that
seemed to be approaching each other"
This Tailed with the surveyors word
picture of Mosely, and Willis was salts
fed.
1t was already midnight aud after con-
filling part of his story to his hostess, the
traveller proceeded to make the most OF
the rooms resources as lodging place
The brother did not return and the girl
retired to rest in another part OF the
house, where her father and the other
ledger were sleeping.
1t was perhaps four o'clock when. as
Willis was peacefully snoring in the big
arm. chair, he was awakened to see his
new acquaintance standing beside him.
g He has gone" she whispered.
"Whoa Mosely9
eyes"
Without breakfast"
"He said he had lunch with him in
his wagon"
Willis was wide awake now to the
necessity of quick action. Thanking
the girl for her kindness and the lunch
she had prepared, he brought his pony
from the barn where it had made good
meal, and swinging into the saddle was
again on his way.
Sunrise came and the soft-toned blue
of the heavens, the deepening green OF
the prairie and the pink flush where they
met made a picture such as only the
plains of the West can furnish.
Soon. long distance ahead, jogging
along at tolerably fast rate, he discerned
the white mules and spring wagon of his
rival. The sun was an hour high before
he caught up with him, for Willis was too
hxSr- 20 10 pfo he
beginning of race.
''Hello" he shouted, "where are yol
going"
''Ter Wanda, air your"
eyes"
"Arter land like the rest of 'em, /
'spose2"
-''They all seem TO want land, that's q
fact" was the evasive reply and during
the remainder OF the ride Willis kept the
conversation chiefly on the subjAct of
crops, weather and the like.
At last, after a mile of companionship
he did not dare risk it longer and putting
the spurs to his pony he left Mosely and
his mules behind.
Forging on ahead he gained steadily
all the forenoon and long before the
horseman halted for noon day rest, five
miles from Wanda, the old teamster had
ceased to be within his range of vision.
After brief stop Willis went on and
in a short time was cantering down the
streets of the land office town. He drew
up ut the office and was reioiced to find
the surveyors words correct and the
land uncntered. lie took it as a home
stead, paid the fees, aud had less than
FIVE dollars rem aiming in his pocket.
Going to the single hotel the place af
forded the new landowner asked to be
shown room and ordered dinner sent
there. lie did not care to meet his rival
il possible to avoid it.
In half an hour ne saw the testy team
ster come rattling along the street slash
ing the mules with long snake whip,
and make fer the land Office. When |
after moment he came out there was
an expression on his face that BODIED no
GOOD 20 the person who had .outgener-
alle9 him Then he came TO the hotel.
Willis did not leave his room that
afternoon or evening. He was not ex-
ably afraid of Mosely, but thought it
bitter to slip out quietly in the morning
ahd return to Leoti.
But as he stepped out into the dingy
lall of the hotel at dawn who should De
the first man he met but the burly team
sterl
Say" was Mosely's first words. ''you
know that land was goin' to claim"
Willis was not supposed to know, as
his Questioner had told him nothing of