The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1896-05-16
A VALUABLE CLAIM.
BY WILL L1sENBEE.


iate-colored ribbons Of earth which the
pillow was turning over. The two yol1es
of oxen that drew the pillow were show
ing no inclination to hurry through
life, which disposition was in perfect
harmonyswith Bucks own feelings on
the subject. He did not believe in phys
ical precipitation in connection with
common labor. To be in a hurry seemed
to him TO be a species of folly that was
totally ineScusable.
On reaching the end nearest the cabin
he brought the team to a halt, and, al
Towing 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 waterTnelons, it can't be beat this
side NV the Rockies"
A covered wagon drawn by pair of
shabby sorrel mules, came to q halt in
the road close by, and u bushy-bearded
man got ont.
MY names Billings-Zeke Billings"
he said, as he came up to the spot where
Buck was seated. I'm looking for
claim to buy. Can you direct me to
where l can find q good one which
could purchase at a reasonable igure?"
"Ye 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 ?"
we'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?'
cit can be bought"
How much land is In your claim?
a full quarter section?"
-'Ye've sed it,"
SIS 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."
NO offense, I assure you" replied
Billings. what advantages does your
claim possess besides that Eentioned?"
"'Tain't more an four miles ter wa
ter
''Why, do you call four miles from
water close?''
''Ye would if ye'd hauled it 20 miles
fer one season"
"Dut wouldn't live in such coun-
try as tF&t. A man wouldn't get any
thing but water=hauling done"
"Thar warn't anything else ter do
thar
f"Didn't you raise any crops?'
Mary crop"
what made you stay in such q couu-
t-y?"
Couldn't git away"
"NNhat made you so there?"
''Tcr git claim"
"Why, what on earth could you want
with claim in a place like that?"
~ mans got ter meek livin'."
make . living? How did You expect
to make living in desert where noth-
ing would grow?"
sell my claim"
"IIow did you happen to find buy
er?r
ut auus rained oncet year; then
we hustled ter sell out fore the ground
dried. That was our bizy time"
'''What do you suppose man would
think of you for selling him such a
CLAMP"
"Ineyer stayed ter see"
81 suppose not. What did the man
that bought your claim do when he :
found out what kind of place he had
got into?"
Lived thar till the next rain
"What then?"
"He sold out ter another Teller. The {
west is great edicator. A Teller can !
stay hyar long an be u tenderfoot. Yell
say so fore ye're hyar a year. Now, Q
this yere claim Nv mine" {
''To lie sure--we were talking about I
your claim. 1 can see that the land is
very good, and 1 suppose water could 7
be got hy sinking a well. Like the lay
IF this piece of land, and If your price 9
Is reasonable, L might strike bargain
with you"
"Ye'yc sed it," u
"What would you call fair price for s
your chim?"
about er thousan' dollars" a
"a thousand dollars! Why, man, I u
AN get as good claim as can be found
n the county for $500. Remember you s
an give no deed, but only quit your f
,laim." "a
II likewise knows all that; but this Il
ere ain'tno common claim. Say S50o?'
"No. Two fifty is the most 1 can O
yive.p g
"fkEen the claims yourn." c
every well. 1 will come back in il
cw days and have the papers fixed t.
p."
ss'Tbat SeenS fair-lilSe. hut / nuts it &c