Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-01-30
IN ALLIGATOR COUNTRY

A stray chicken wandered aimlessly
about small clearing. Now he
stopped to peck at bright pebble, then
hoped forward to examine a bunch
of tussock grass. Then a grasshoppeI
attracted his attention. And all the
time he was getting farther away
from home. Atlast he paused on the
bank of dark creek and looked
about curiously. 1t was new world
to him. Near by long, black object
lay half embedded in the sand. After
watching few moments he hoped
nearer. Then came a quick flash and
swapping of teeth; the chickens short
drama was over. And the alligator's
Z tail slid back into the sand, and his
half-clOsed eyes resumed their air of
sleepy Inconsistencies.
Overhead magnolias and live oaks
mingled their branches, while here
and there rose the stately trunks of
royal palms. Great masses of azalea,
agave, and sensitive plants crept up
from the waters edge and spread out
over the banks. And everywhere
clambered the fox grape bignonia and
woodbine.
Beyond the creek, and stretching
away for hundred miles to the south
and west, were the Everglades. In
the distance cleaned the blue waters
of Lake Okeechobee. To the east
was wilderness, to the north twenty
miles Of almost impenetrable jungle.
And i'm the midst, the little clearing,
lonely and wild and ugly. For, ex-
cept where the log cabin stood
near the center, the trees had been
merely girdled, and now rose white
and ghostly, their gray, skeleton arms
creaking and grooming with every
passing breeze. Among them were
long ridges of sweet potato vines, and,
nearer the cabin, few clumps of
gumbO and banana stalks. A tall,
solitary oleander in full bloom stood
near the water-barrel, its fragrant
branches nearly hiding one end of
the cabin. A little to one side were
several neglected orange trees
The cabin had but two windows,
small openings which were closed with
boards when it rained. Near one of
these young girl was preparing
s'comptie." On the stove behind her
was the inevitable kettle of hominy.
AS she worked she occasionally broke
into Snatches Of negro melody, her
fresh young voice floating out into
the forest and bringing quick re-
ssponses from mocking-birds and
7warblerS.
1.-TWO men were working their way
through the thick masses of palmetto.
Suddenly they paused to listen.
"What a voice!" one of them ex-
claimed. ga backwoods nightingale.
'sIt must be old DobeSson's daugh-
ter" said the other. 81 was here five
years ago, and she was then the Wild
est and happiest little thing 1 ever
saw-all the time in the woods chas-
ing squirrels and initiating the mock
ing birds"
Again the voice floated to them.
AS it died away the first speaker
drew a long breath.
"What an acquisition she would be
to my rustic chOrus!" he said.
Ills SOIl pduiol lduS uSu.
There you go again! Never a fine
voice but you must be cOvetous. The
penalty of being theater manager, l
suppose. But really, DanielSon, you
must not wake the ambition of this
child of nature. She is like the birds,
and New York would stifie her,"
A few moments later they emerged
ha Inn Of IN Ac
the clearing the young girl left the
window and appeared in the doorway.
For a moment she merely looked
curious, then glow of recognition
,crept into her face. Before they had
time to speak she sprang down the
steps with outstretched hands.
'sMr. Lowery, fer all ther worl'!"
she cried, her eyes sparkling with
pleasure. '.Hit's mighty pleasan'
ter see yeh roun' agin. Paw'n SUIT
tingly be glad ter see yeh."
'And shall be glad to see him,
Liza" said Mr.. Lowery, heartily;
''we've had some rare hunts together.
But how you have grown! You were
only little girl when / left"
40 AlhCu 1C1 SOuCUOuy VCl WoAC
her bows an arrers an 60 huntin'
'cooters.'"
Mr.. Lowery smiled.
1--WE did have some fine scooter'
hunts" he said, then, nodding to-
ward his companion, added, ssTve
brought my friend, Mr.. Danielson,
down to try alligator hunting. Itell
him your father is probably the best
gator guide in South Florida"
The girls face clouded.
"Paw's in right pore shape" she
said slowly. ssHe war los in ther
Ey'glades an got tee shakes pow'ful
bad. low he cayn't do no mo-
guidin' fer er long time"
The men looked at each other in
perplexity. Seeing this, the girl
FASTENED to add
ssCleb kin guide you-uns better n
anybody 'cept paw. BE amt but IL