Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-07-16
THE SQUATTER.

Tho rain was beating furiously against
the windows, and the wind raging bois-
terously without. Instinctively we drew
our chairs closer to the fire. which was
blazing pleasantly on the hearth.
DR.. Hapley had dropped III TO spend
the evening
NY" said he, "but this is terror
1t reminds me Of night experienced
out west few years ago. An interest
ing romance was begun that night, with
a sequel too Did ever tell you about
it,"
assured him that he had not, and he
continued:
1T was in the late fall in southern
Nebraska, where / had gone to oversee
the putting in Of the winter wheat for
the next years crop l had not been to
the farm since the previous season, tho
land having been left in charge of To-
cal agent during the interim. After
reaching the section and looking over
the ground | had intended to 20 out
among the neighbors Ia secure my rent
ers for the season.
"There was little four room house
on the place, painted and in fairly good
condition. n good we'll and number of
sheds which served for stable, granary
and other necessary purposes AS there
was no resident tenant quantity OF
grain had been stored in the house,
which was then locked, while the sheds
!.
were left empty, 1t being deemed un-
wise TO leave anything Of value exposed
TO the cupidity Of movers, who might
chance To pass that way.
at was nearing sundown when
came in sight Of the place. Twas much
surprised 30 see q stream Of smoke curl
ing from the chimney, and as l drove
nearer other evidences Of habitation
We're manifested. a wagon stood III the
space between the house and the sheds,
while from one Of the latter the heads
Of two horses protruded inquiringly, rs
il 10 ask on what errand | had come
into their lonely neighb1rhood. Near
the wagon stood a sod cutter, and near
that was a wheat drill, all little tho
worse for exposure, but still apparently
in good condition.
LAS / drew closer my attention was
attracted by the appearance OF n man
who had come from the other sido of
the house aud now stood, arms akimbo.
watching me. He wore no hat. and his
long hair was somewhat unkempt, nj
though an effort seemed 10 have been
made at tidineSs. His face was clean
and had evidently been washed in the
little tin basin which stood on bench
nj tho corner uf the house. His feet were
bare. he wore no coat or vest, and his
trousers hung by some invisible means
of support around his waist, clnging
10 shirt Of faded and now indis.
tinguishablc color.
"He made a striking picture indeed,
standing thcro in the midst Of his lone
" Surroundings, and with the setting
sun for "A background.
"As approached the house he came
forward 10 meet me
"'How dye do, stranger said he.
Are you the owner Of this place!
heard yuu Was a-coming.
my surprise was turned 10 amaze
ment by his cool, matter Of fact manner.
"'Well, yes, l am, and what are you
doing herc?' put the question as po-
htely ~ circumstances and my feelings
permitted
"'Well. it's this way, he began.
You see, after you was here last year,
along in the fall, when it was getting
cold weather, there was "a woman come
along with four or five little children.
and she didn't have no place 10 stay,
and so she comes TO me and asked me II
She couldn't get into this house here II
no one would take her. had the Tan
ncr farm up here then and was doing
pretty well, SO l inquired among the
neighb1rS. and we agreed that she
should come in here, only we knowod
there was grain stored, and we made
her promise not to take any. 50 we
Knocked open the door and cleaned the
place up for her as best we could and
moved her in. Then. two or three weeks
ago. | lost my farm. Tanner wanted TO
move On TO it himself. and l had Ia get
out. so / come down and told Mrs
Brown-that was the woman name
hny WAS fixed. and that since | had
holpcd her in her bad lack she would
have to help me in mine, and for her u
move out and 20 over TO the next coun-
ty for this winter, and would move III
here. She seed rs how that was square,
one good turn deserving another, and
she moved out, and l moved Ill, and so,
you see, that's how | come 10 be here.
But / haze treated you white,
stranger, and if you will look around
Won will see that have taken good caro-
Of things for you. | amt touched ahy
Of Your grain, and / have fixed up the
place quite bit, propping up a place
here and mailing on board there ana
fixing what needed fixing whenever
SAW il. But your horses look tired.
Won't you put them up and stop here
for the might? | will fix Il place for them
around by the stable I've got my own
on the inside. and there's only two
stalls, but they will do just AS well out
side, and l car give you good place to
sleep in tho house.
1T was novel proceeding, this be-
ing asked by a squatter on my own farin
10 be his guest at my own fireside, as II
were, but as 7 had intended remaining
in the neigl .borhood for the night, ano
rs there was something about the mar
that rather liked l accepted his invi-
| tation.
"The man, Martin Conyus he said
was his name, was 'batching 1t, as no
expressed it, but he was able to spread
before us really tempting meal OF well
cooked and hearty food and did not seem
to lack experience in cookery, whatever
NAV have been his abilities i'll other di-
| rections.
1.-THE grain was stored in two rooms,
| and Of the other two one was fitted up
as dining room, kitchen and living
room. There was rag carpet on the
| floor and o few books and other evil
dences Of civilization on the table. The
other was used rs bedroom. 1t was
furnished with comfortable bed, q
chair OF two, faded carpet and one OF
two old rugs There We're also dresser
and looking glass, although 1 could
not but wonder what purpose the latter
could serve, unless it was to furnish, In
his reflection, companion for him IN
his dreary winter days.
"a thunderstorm had been gathering,
| and nv the time supper was finished II