Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-17
THE SQUA1TER.

our chairs closer to the fire, which was
blazing pleasantly on the hearth.
DR.. Hapley had dropped in to spend
the evening.
''My," said he, ''but this is a terror
1t reminds me of night I experienced
out west a 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:
cit 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, the
land having been left in charge of a To-
cal agent during the interim. After
reaching the section and looking over
the ground I had intended to go out
among the neighbors to secure my rent
ers for the season.
."There was a little four room house
on the place, painted and in fairly good
condition, 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, it being deemed un-
wise to leave anything of value exposed
to the cupidity of movers, who might
chance to pass that way.
"It was nearing sundown when I
came in sight of the place. Twas much
surprised to see a stream of smoke curl
ing from the chimney, and as l drove
nearer other evidences of EabitatiOn
were manifested. A wagon stood in the
space between the house and the sheds,
while from one of the latter the heads
of two horses protruded inquiringly, as
if to ask on what errand I had come
into their lonely neighborhood Near
the wagon stood a sod cutter, and near
that was a wheat drill, all little the
worse for exposure, but still apparently
in good condition.
Gas I drew closer my attention was
attracted by the appearance of man
who had come from the other side of
the house and now stood, arms akimbo,
watching me- He wore no hat, and his
long hair was somewhat unkempt, al
though an effort seemed to have been
made at tidiness His face was clean
and had evidently been washed in the
little tin basin which stood on bench
at the corner of 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, clinging
to shirt of a faded and now indis-
tinguishable color.
HE made a striking picture indeed,
standing there in the midst of his lone
ly surroundings, and with the setting
sun for background
Gas I approached the house he came
forward to meet me.
"'How dye do, stranger said he.
Are you the owner Of this place? I
heard you was a-coming.
"My surprise was turned to amaze
ment by his cool, matter of fact manner.
"Well, yes, am, and what are you
doing here?' I put the question as po-
litely as 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 to stay,
and so she comes to me and asked me if
she couldn It get into this house here if
no one would take her. had the Tan
ner farm up here then and was doing
pretty we'll, so I inquired among the
neighbors, and we agreed that she
should come in here, only we nowed
there was grain stored, and we made
her promise not to take any. So 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, I lost my farm. Tanner wanted to
move on to it himself, and I had to get
out. So I come down and told Mrs.
Brown-that was the woman's name
how I was fixed, and that since [ had
helped her in her bad luck she would
utlfC W luO Ill lnlllC, anu 1Ol AOi w
move out and go over to the next coun-
ty for this winter, and would move in
here. She seed as how that was square,
one good turn deserving another, and
she moved out, and I moved in, and SO,
you see, that's how come to be here.
"'But I have treated you white,
stranger, and if you will look around
you will see that I have taken good care
! of things for you. amt touched any
of your grain, and I have fixed up the
place quite bit, propping up place
here and mailing on board there and
fixing what needed fixing whenever
saw it. But your horses look tired.
Won't you put them up and stop here
for the night? I will fix 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 can give you good place tc
sleep in the house.
"It was novel proceeding, this be-
ing asked by squatter on my own farm
to be his guest at my own ireside, as il
were, but as 7 had intended remaining
in the neighborhood for the night, ano
as there was something about the MAI
that I rather liked accepted his invi
tation.
''The man, Martin Conyus he sait
was his name, was patching it, as h
expressed it, but he was able to sprea'
before us really tempting meal of wei
cooked and hearty food and did not seen
to lack experience in cookery, whateve
may have been his abilities in other dl
rections
''The grain was stored i'll two rooms
and of the other two one was fitted II
as a dining room, kitchen and livini
room. There was q rag carpet On tn
floor and few books and other evl
dences of civilization on the table. Th
other was used as bedroom. 1t wa
furnished with a comfortable bed,
chair OF two, faded carpet and one
two old rugs. There were also dresse
and looking glass, although coul
not but wonder what purpose the latte
could serve, unless it was to furnish, L