Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-12

on Rob-the best thing out.'
"Wot is it?''
jim whispered few words into
OF merriment
"We'll do it, by jimson.' he ex-
claimed. ''It won't hurt thet leetle
woman, and it will pay Rob back for
some o his own everlastin jokes on
us
Entering the store, they spoke TO
NIiley then strobe back to the stove
to greet their fellow claim. holder.
jest got back, Rob-" they asked,
as they shook his hand warmly.
''Yes; just got in on the four o'clock
train, and walked over from the station.
What's the news?" he asked.
"News?' repeated Jim, assuming n
long and reflective visage. "Wa-al,
nothin' much, 'ceptin ole Killers sold
out an left An lemme see; yes,
thar's Sukehouse, he got throwed by
his broncho an broke his collar bone.
Us galloots have been doin' wot we
could to patch him up. An then,
thar's some new settlers comm in
lately-an' wantin' timber claims, an
iumpin' 'em, too, when they get Il
chance. But how did yer find the
folks back yonder in Illinoy?"
"All we'll and happy" replied Rob
Wood 'But what's this you say
about claim -jumpers?'
"Oh, yes! Ireckon yer heerd bout
yer claim, an thet's hurried yer back, >"
remarked Ike.
my claim! What do you mean?"
and Rob Woods blue eyes dilated
widely.
81 thought maybe yer'd heerd bout
it fore now,' sad Jim, very inno-
Gently. "Wa-al, yer see yer claim
has been kinder jumped-a family
moved into yer shanty. They have,
by ginger!'
"Do you mean to say that some low
down sneak has dared to jump my
claim while I've been gomez" he cried,
a sudden flame of anger mounting to
his handsome face.
Looks powerfully thet way" re-
turned jim. ''Seed kivered wagon
thar, an smoke pourin' ont O. yer
chimney as we rid over hyer."
With quick stride Rob Wood
walked out of the store, got his horse
from the stable, where it had been
kept during his absence. and was soon
galloping away through the snowy
dusk of the early evening.
When he was beyond earshot of
Miley's store the two conspirators
went off into roars of laughter, after
which they let the old store-keeper
into their joke.
'Its good one on Wood" said
Miley, joining heartily i'll the laughter,
'an' calls for cigars at Rob's expense,
don't it, said jim.
exactly" agreed Ike
Good enoughn' said Miley, as he
handed out the box of his choicest
cigars.
"Wonder if Rob won't git mad at
u.s." said Ike.
ono; feller tibet can give as good
jokes as Rob can can take one on him
self, answered Jim.
Meantime, Rob Wood, his brain full
of wrath at the nnprincipled persons
who had Jumped his claim" was
nearing his cabin. He was too angry
TO heed the snow and the cutting
northwest wind One purpose ruled
him-to order the claim jumpers off
his land at once.
He rode into the persimmon thicket,
where he left his horse out of the
storm. Then he strobe rapidly toward
the cabin.
'If they go out quietly there will be
no trouble, but if they refuse to 60"
He did not finish the sentence, but
his eyes flashed threateningly.
Little Bessie was alone at the cabin,
Faith and Clint having gone to the
dugout stable to make the mules COM
Portable for the night.
The little girl was holding the door
partly open, while she looked wonder
ingly upward at the vast descent of
the SNOW The glow of the fireplace
fell upon her and made her look like
snow bound fairy She gave start as
Rob Wood suddenly appeared before
her in the snow-covered path.
"Wheres your pa, little girl?' asked
Rob, as he pushed past her.
He's gone" answered Bessie, look
ing shyly at this abrupt visitor.
"Gone! Where to?" he asked.
"Gone to Heaben,' said the little
girl, simply.
"Humph" muttered Rob, to him
self. 81 didn't know claim jumpers
went there"
Then he glanced hastily around the
room. There was his table bearing
the remnants of supper, while in an
opposite corner few boxes and some
bedding were stacked away.
"Well," he said, dryly, cts very
plain they have come to stay"
Besides, remembering how Faith
always treated her company, closed
the door, and brought chair up to
the fireplace.
"Won't you have seat an warm?"
she asked, looking into the young
mans handsome face.
"No, little one," he answered
quickly, hut the severe expression on
his face changed to one of tenderness
as he gazed down into the pretty, in
nocent eyes of tine tiny hostess. He
liked children, and, bauishing for the
time being the thought that some of
her folks were doing him great I'M
kindness in thus appropriating his
claim, he gave her paper of mixed
candies, which he had bought at
Miley's. He had just received Bes-
sizes thanks when the door opened
and Faith entered the cabin.
The eyes of Faith Haskins and Rob
Wood met III one long, searching
glance. She turned pale and leaned
back against the door. Rob was him
self Mt first too agitated to speak.
Recovering himself, however, he ap-
preached the girl.
uEoith' Faith HaSkinSw he cria1