The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-05-09
A VALUABLE CLAIM.
By WILL LIsENBEE.

huge prairie-breaking pillow. watching.
with evident satisfaction, the choco-
iate-colored ribbons of earth which the
pillow was turning over. The two yokes
Of oxen that drew the pillow were show
ing no inclination to hurry through |
life, which disposition was in perfect |
harmony with Bucks own feelings on
the subject He did not believe in phys |
ical precipitation in connection with
common labor. To be in hurry seemed
TO him TO be a species of folly that was
totally inexcusable.
On reachin0the end nearest the cabin
he brought the team to halt, and. al
lowing the cattle to Craze on the lux
uriant grass, seated himself on the
beam Of the pillow and lighted his pipe.
There amt much better land than
this in these parts" he unused, IAN as
fer watermelons, it can't be beat this
side NV the Rockies"
A covered wagon, drawn by pair Of
shabby sorrel mules, came to halt in
the road close by, and bushy-bearded
man got out.
"My names Billings-Zeke Billings"
he said, as he came up to the spot where
Buck was seated. SIN looking for
claim to buy. Can you direct me to
where I can find good one which /
could purchase at a reasonable figure"
aye couldn't "a struck it better if
ye'd "a searched fer week." replied
Buck, removing his pipe from his mouth
and blowing a cloud Of smoke from his
bearded lips.
That's fortunate" responded the
stranger. "Then may infer that you
can give me the desired information 2"
"Ye've sed it."
"Thank you. Is the land in question
near here?"
"'Bout six inches from where ye're
standing"
"Ah, see. Your own claim is for
sale?"
1T can be bought"
"How much land is in your claim
A full quarter section?"
"Ye've sed it."
as the land good?"
think I'd be a-plowin' pore land?
What do We take me fer? Must think
I'm powerful fond NV work."
mo offense, l assure you," replied
Billings. what advantages does your
claim possess besides that mentioned?' p
"'Tain't more an four miles ter wa
ter"
"why, do you call four miles from
! water close?"
aye would If ye'd hauled it 2e miles
fer one season."
"But wouldn't live In such coun'
try as that. A man wouldn't get any.
thing but matchmaking DONE"
THAR warn't anything else ter dc
thor"
Didn't you raise any crops?"
"Nary CROP"
: "What made you stay in such courr
typ"
Couldn't git away"
"what made you go thereT"
"Ter git q claim"
: "Why, what on earth could you want
with claim in place like that?"
"a mans got ter meek livin'."
make living? How did you cxpec
to make a living in desert where moth
ing would grown"
"Sell my claim"
"How did you happen to find buy
err"
ut allus rained oncet year; thel
we hustled ter sell out fore the grount
dried. That was our bizy time"
"What do you suppose man woul'
r think of you for selling him such
a claim?"
i 81 never stayed ter see."
: ST suppose not. What did the ma
a that bought your claim do when b
a found out what kind of a place he ha
q got into?"
j. "Lived thar till the next RAIN"
o "What then?"
n west is q great edicator. A Teller can
i stay hyar long an be tenderfoot. Ye'
a say so fore ye're hyar year. Nov
II this yere claim Nv mine"
n ITO be sure-we were talking abou
N your claim. / can see that the land
" very good, and suppose water coul
k be got by sinking o well. like the la
{. of this piece of land, and if your prit
Is is reasonable, might strike bargai
is with you."
~ "Ye've sed it."
ID "What would you call fair price fc
in your claim?"
n "'Bout er thousan' dollars"
"a "a thousand dollars! Why, man,
il can get as good claim as can be four
d in the county for $500. Remember yo
in can give no deed, but only quit yov
In claim"
lv 81 likewise knows all that; but til
ID yere amt no common claim. Say $500
b. mo. Two fifty is the most CO
IN give"
60 "Then the claims yourn."
m "Very well. will come back in
ee few days and have the papers fix
:, ! nm"