The Portland daily press., 1892-12-13


ESaa\ NNeW rs an a m u n g
|SS&&SssS st ory and
IN &sNM8 piece of rollick-
( ANN %W@&a8SS ing music. The
"UAM NM AMl railroad and the
iRAH y Mn MN " sawmill have
w wrought
change in the backwoods. and the
squatter has raked up his few belong
ings and quietly disappeared, or, hay
ing struck a truce with human prog
ress, he has put aside his long rifle and
has yielded to a closer relationship with
the plow Like most of the features of
new nations rudeness he will after
awhile exist only as a tradition. The
lofty historian, in striving to catch the
spirit of great events or seeking to
paint in strong colors the strange con-
ditions of the past, will scarcely notice
the Arkansas squatter, with his coon
skin cap and his pretense of never yield
ing to surprise; but the squatters wild
music, more and more toned down per-
haps as the years pass, will whistle and
fiddle its way from the past to the
future.
long ago, while travelling as newspa-
per correspondent. / had been in the
Cherokee nation and had crossed the
Arkansas line when it occurred to me
that didn't know whittier | was going
In truth, l was lost; and, after wander
ing about in the woods for nearly a day,
came to small cabin surrounded by
a ''pole'' fence. The first survey re-
.vealed no sign of life, but closer look
discovered gaunt old fellow sitting on
the ground with his back against a tree
/ rode up to the fence, and, somewhat
puzzled as to what form of salutation
might be most acceptable to him, be-
gan to search my stock Of cordial greet
ings, when the old fellow looked up
and with drawl asked:
s'Ridin' or jest a-goin' somewhar?"
ssWell, had thought of going some
where, but am simply riding now"
mo, you amt! you air jest settin'
thar on a boss"
"You are right. acknowledged, and
then added: 'sHow can strike the Fort
Smith road?"
'With rock, reckon an mebbe it
you WIS bcT SIb ClOSu CioASAo JOu AAOUp
hit it with stickP'
ssHo7v can 1 find the Fort Smith road,
is what mean"
'Then why didn't you say SOP"
1 waited for him to give me direc
lions, but he said nothing. Indeed, he
appeared to be nodding.
Glow can find the road?'' asked.
ssBy lookin' fur 1t, I reckon
s'But where shall look?''
81 reckon on the ground would be thu
best place"
ooh, come now, you are perplexing.
"Yas, so is black bat"
.You seem to be alone" said, think
ing that the better plan would be to
propitiate him.
"Would be fit want fur one thing"
whats that?''
.sThar's dog round yonder behind
"Where are all your people?"
Scattered about in the woods"
.How many children have you?"
81 don't know egzackly, but wife she
lows to count 'em befo' long"
"Aret hey mostly boys or mostly
girls?"
Don't know as to that; but they air
putty badly mixed"
.sHow old is your oldest?"
about fifteen years older than the,
youngest" (
yaWell, how old is the youngest?''a
sWall, hewan't BON till after the red
COW fell off n the bluff" . 49,
gsss'yVhen did She fall Off"
son, bout six months befo' my young
EST chill was bornd.'' 1..'- ..s
reAh, you requite character"
7@ SOS q goat r. .
nMy dear sir, I am lost and should
like you to tell me where am"
Here you are
eyes, that's fact, and what want
| is to know how to get away from
| here"
ride away, or lead yo' boss and
| walk"
"Come, tell me ="
Don't wanter come; ruther set whar
lam
you'll force me to lose my patience
after awhile"
lose all you want to; they are safe
round here"
"Will you tell me or will you not,
how, by looking on the ground or in
any other way can find the Fort Smith
rossd?"
"Yes, by goin' to it."
"Ah, but how can go to it@9"
...By ridin' or walkin'." >ssa4
siI'm half inclined to get down there
and shake you.'0 49,: w
"Wush you would. Amt shuck none
sense 1 had the chills. Like to shake
with the. chills--does me such power
o. good to stretch
a didn't think that such human
! being as you are could be found living
on this earth" 5r
s..Wall, amt. liyin' none too peart at
present, but you jest wait till Hack.
l haws gifts ripe