The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-14

had long been known as idle aud
shiftless. and for some time suspected
Of being even worse.
Cattle had mysterlously disappeared.
and no amount Of search would reveal
their whereabouts. Grove-owners oc-
easlonaliy found orange trees stripped
OF their fruit Even nurserymen de.
clared that choice stock disappeared
from their grounds
No proof could be found against
Croners save that he was idle and dis.
solute. He had entered a good home.
stead claim three years before. but
had done little TO improve it, A rough
cabin In the centre Of a clearing Of
several acres. a few struggling orange
trees and a dozen or so ragged ban.
anas represented the whole OF his
three years work.
But the country had filed up rapidly
during the last few years, and the
homestead was already becoming val
liable There were many who would
be only too glad to Jump" II. Crof-
fer's title could not be perfected for
two years yet and should he remain
away, as be had been ordered. the land
would revert TO the Government and
be open 70 the public.
Yesterday Mr. Window would not
have cared. The man. he thought. d.
served nothing: bot now Il seemed 70
him that the pitiful little figure Oh the
sent hy hls side ought TO have some
interest IN bis fathers homestead. And
perhaps they had been a little hard on
Crohers. There was no proof
DO you know my pawg asked the
boy. who was beginning 10 feel his
companions silence rather prolonged
"I-well-ycs. DO recollect him. now
ye mention his name. Ye see he had
particular duty over 10 Marion Coun-
" last week Lookln' after some cat
tie business. ! blieye. reckon be
lowed we 'uns would take care Of ye
TN be got back"
The boys face heightened visibly.
when mought be- get back, and what
am I 70 doT' be asked.
well. reckon he's lots TO look
after, and mebbe itll be a month p
mebbe several-before he gets round.
I can give ye plenty Of work drlvih'
mules until he comes"
But he and were to be pardners
and make an orange grove. low
must look after the place while he's
gone
Yen be scared way out there alone.
ye're such a little fellow. Better stay
with me-
The boy drew himself Up slightly.
The poorhouse folks lowed Bob
Crofers never got scared he said,
slowly. Il were made to stay alone
In the eotton-neld nights and watch
the crop
-If ye can do 1t. yen save your
daddy's ranch. mebbe." Then. N
answer to the boys questioning look.
Mr. Window told him about the home.
stead laws and .he residence aud I'm.
provemenf necessary 10 perfect the Il.
tie. Likely your paw'1 be back after
it blows over-after he's done his bust.
ness. / mean ne concluded.
Il Tow | must 20 tomorrow. sure
was Bob's only answer
Accordingly. the next morning after
breakfast Mr.. Window sent one OF bis
boys to guide the Croners boy TO his
fathers deserted homestead. A drove
OF half-wild ruzor-backed hogs were
found disp0sing Of the few vegetables
left IN the garden patch. while several
COWS were making free with the ten.
der twigs OF the orange trees.
After driving these beyond the bfok.
en- fence. the boys made an examina.
ton Of the place An ordinary OBJ
server would have been dlsmaved.
but to Bob fresh from the hardshlns
and blows OF the poorh0use. il was full
Of delightful promise. The stunfed
orange trees assumed beautiful uro.
portions: the bananas were examined
wonderingly; even the broken fenr.
and poor cabin felt the touch Of hle
caressing. loving fingers They were
al his He was one OF the .panl.
ners" Even the glory Of his cap.ai,
grandfather began to fade in the su.
perior glory to be.
Young Window returned bone. ana
Bob vas LEFT 20 himself. ALTHOUGH
three miles from The nearest neiehfor
no thought Of fear entered his head
Tie was too full OF his new possessions
A few sweet potatoes and other pro.
visions found In the cabin would lat
For several days. and when they were
gone. be had Eve dollars IN money &c
Can back upon His father had sent
t for him 70 buy clothes with. b..
such expenditure seemed wasieful
and he had hidden the mouev away "a
bis pesson Instead