The evening times., 1897-02-09
BETTER THAN A
WARRANTY DEED

| When the Michigander bought 400 acres
OF land in Kentucky at bar gain, he under
| STOOD that 1t was wild land, and he didn't
learn TO the contrary until he visited the
| property. Then he found six families oi
| squatters, each in possession of about
twenty acres. Some one told him that old
BEL Thompson wasthe boss ofthe commUn
ity, and that whatever he said the others
would stick to. The Michigander, there
fore, visited the old mans shanty and
opened business by saying:
MIR. Thompson, own all this land about
here and want to arrange matters with
you"
''Own all the land, eh?' queried the Old
man, as he looked his visitor over.
Yes, there are six families OF you
On my land. Do you want to pay me
ground rent?'
Il skassly think we do, strangcr--I
skassly think so.''
Then would You like to buy?'
II can't say as we would-I can't say
so, Can't be no mistake about ii bein'
yo'r land, eh?''
"oh, no. / have the deeds here in my
pocket. If you don't want to rent or
buy, then, l SUPPOSE, you VIII vacate?''
Does that mean git off-moye
away?''
Yes"
Then wouldn't skassly say that we
viii vacate-I skassIy wouldn't Yo' kin
slow them deeds, kin yo'?''
Certainly. VIII you kindly tell me
what YOU will do in this case?"
"Yaas. think 1 will Thar's my deed
to this yere claim on the hooks up thar,
and yoll find all the others hev the same.
Yo' kin see it, reckon?"
II see rifle hanging up there replied
the Michigander.
Wall, that's my deed That's the deed
I've had fur the last twenty vars, and no
body nain't said il was not good one"
Then yoa purpose TO hang on?''
That's my idea, stranger. and when /
cnce git an idea into my head I'm apt to
be sou'
Then, to come into possession of my
own, must resort to the Iaw!' asked the
rightful owner.
Skassly that, stranger In the fust place
the Lawd made Tennessee for Tennessee
ans AMI not far Mchiganhers In the next
place, thar hain't no law around yere to
appeal to- In the third place, the other five
men are ambushcd along the trail, and IL
yo' contner to think yo' own this land /
don't think yo'll gil oIter the woods alive,'
You'd assassnate me for claiming my
own, would your demanded the fright
ened but irate Wolverine.
''Skassly fur claimin' yor own, stranger;
but fur claimin' ours. Did they tell yo' in
town how many owners of this land had
showed up in the last twenty y'ars?''
mo-
wall, I've got 'em notched on the stock
of that ar rifle Ten notchcs, reckon.
an that amt countin' two sheriffs an
constable. Stranger, dye want TO leave
yer address up in Michigan, SOS kin an.
swer any inquiries from yer wife?'
II don't think So"
Just as yo' feel about it, Hev yo'
changed yer mind aboutthe land?''
Il think l have. 1 own it; but l won't
take possession"
That's k'rect Might sell it so some one
ei se?"
Yes l II do that
And let him cum down to run us offand
make number 1eyen on that rifle stock
That's your best way, and now I'll send
Dov on ahead OF yo' To say to our felleTs
hat yo' ar In love with Michigan and
ion't keer durn fur Tennessee, and
-eckon Won git back nome all right. Day
o yo', sab, and If yo feel like smokin'
light yo'r pipe with =
81 have the deeds here i'm INV I
pocket" NJ. Quad.