The National tribune., 1895-12-05

hand and fringe of mighty timber, tha
| hung over the little river, on the other. The
crowd enjoyed the prospect, for murmuI
of admiration ran along the top of the fence
only hushed by the stentoriaD voice of the
| Sheriff
Gentlemen" said the Sheriff, am now
TO offer you n quarter section of land, Its
peer" (he dwelt on the word peer with
unetion, "its peer isn't found on the Hun
dred-'n-Two, and / may say, in the whole
length and breadth of the State. 1t has
been appraised at $50 an acre. 1t must
bring that, or no sale. How much am l bid
per acre? How much! How much, | say y
| Twenty dolarsl" shouted Hart.
| "Twenty dollars; twenty, twenty, twen-
| ty!" ratified the Sheriff, and then he looked
at Dunlop.
& say, Hart" cried the drover, who was
sitting ON the top of the fence by the lawyer
and the stranger, "I'll be kerhummuxed il
you shall hev this quarter section fer that
price. Twenty-Five dollars, Mr.. Sheriff.
Twenty-Five dollars; twenty-five, going
at twenty-fve!" He paused, leaned over
and looked keenly at Hart.
That worthy person seemed distressed
and exceedingly anxious. Did Dunlop
know anything? What did he mean? Pm
SAFE" he said to himself. "Pll risk it.
Thirty dollars lie cried out, as if the bid
settled the matter He looked furtiyely at
the dTOyer So did the Sheriff The excite
ment on the top of the fence was intense.
Thirty dollars I'm bid Thirty dollars.
Thirty dollars. Why, gents, jest look Mt
that ere soil Open yer eyes ON that ere
corn Hev to climb onto the wagon to
reach the earsl And I'm only bid $50
Thirty dollars!" He paused and mopped
his face. "Going at $50; once, twice
Why, gentlemen, do you want me to give it
awaylD
Wall, I reckon not" reprnd Dunlop,
winking ut the Sheriff As a rule, men on
the Hunnerd-'n-Two don't give such land
away, whatever they do down in your settle
ment The place jest suits me. Eve alters
he'd an hankerin atter it. Mr.. Sheriff, I'll
give $40; yes, drat my skin, I'll give S45,
spot cash"
At this bid man down on the ground
gave q hurrah and the voice of the Sheriff
was suddenly overwhelmed by a mighty
cheer from every throat present. Even the
old Squire, standing in the road with the
women, joined in the cry, and threw up his
hat like a boy.
Going at SIS; going, going, and-gonei I
to John Dunlop at $l5 per acre. At which
announcement there were renewed cheers.
Make out the papers, Mr.. Sheriff. the
moneys ready" shouted Dunlop, at the top
of his voice
But an idea had struck Squire Ulm's wife.
Walking up to the stranger, who was stand
ing by the side of the Sheriff, she boldly
lifted his hat from his head and looked
squareIy in his eyes.
"Bill Bayley, as sure as my names Ulm,"
she said, turning to the crowd which pressed
around them. The Squire grasped his hand
and shook it warmly. The whole crowd
wanted to shake his hands at once.
"Yes, frienGs," said the banker, it's Will
liam Bayley. And this sale never would
have happened had that man done as he
promised" pointing to Hart, who had
mounted his horse and now started off at
full gallop, followed by derisive and angry
yell.
The excitement was wonderful Some of
the stalwart men seized the banker and bore
him to the porch, setting him down before
the old couple, who were startled at the
noisy and tumultuous procession.
Here's your boy, come home again"
cried old lady Ulm. "He's the man as has
bought everything" The banker sprang
forward and canght his mother, who had, at
LUc WOIuS, IdiUt Ell utdu away.
Yes, father" said he, I've came to take
you home"
The old nan held out both hands towards
his son, unable 10 articuate a word. The
breach between father and son was forever
healed. Joy never kills, it is said. A few
only passed ere Aunt Marthy
was in her sons arms, who was doing his
utmost to talk to both parents at once.
For once Western crowd was perfectly
satisfied. They watched the scene with
sympathetic eyes, and at every opportunity
coDgra ulated the old couple and one
another. When order was somewhat re-
stored the returned prodigal made them a
short speech. He told them how the good
Lord had prospered him; told them of
Jeannette, his wife, whom they all knew
told them that it was in his thought to take
his parents East, where he hoped to care for
them the remainder of their days. He
wound up by saying that his friend Dunlop
had made a large provision of oysters, which
were in his wagon, and he hoped that not
one would leave until they had tested their
quality.
The women set to work at once. The
cink of opening cans resounded merrIly
through the house. Happy faces were
When the table was spread
Peleg and Marthy sat at its head while their
son sat between them. Squire Ulm asked
blessing, and then all set to. 1t is said that
such Thanksgiving dinner was never set
before nor since i'll the whole length of the
Hundred-and-Two as was given at Peleg
Bayley's Vendue.