Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-09-05
The Lost : i, ,,
Homestead,

~ FORGE thought at first he
would tell her as soon as he
. reached homo, but when he
came to the house he drove on
to the barn. He would put up the
team and do the chores first. The
team was embarrassed and fed, all the
chores were done, bat still he did not
go to the house. He got a hammer
and mcndcd the gate, he put another
round of rails on the pig pen. he
shuckcd corn for the morning feed.
and then he got the hammer again
and hammered awhile-a long while
at the barn dOo".
He turned TO the house at last, walk
ing slowly, as one very weary. He
went into the sitting room, already
dark with the shadow Of the coming
night. His wife was busy with prep
arationS for supper, and singing as
she worked. He fumDled around the
mantel until she called
"GGorgc, what are you lOOlin' fOr?"
ard started TO bring the lamp.
"NOthin'," he answered hurriedly.
ana went out through the kitchen
door and carried in an armful OF wood,
then took the bucket, already full OF
water, threw it out and filled it again.
Then lie dropped into chair by the
kitchen door and rested his chin in
his hands
"What's the matter. George? Are
you sicl:?" asked his wife.
"Nojhin'," was his reply. 'Mollie:"
he said directly.
She set down her pan and came over
and stood by his chair.
"What, GeOrge:'
This place amt ouru,' he answered
slowly
Not OUrn:'
..'No. When / went to prove up they
said my claim had never been put in,
and the land had been sold several
months. Guess the mans been waitin'
for me to get the crop nearly made
before he makes us git out
MOllie went back to her work with
out IA word She kept her face turned
from him as She busted herself with
the supper.
lie left the table first, and went and
sat down on the door step. She tried
for time to clear the table, but found
she was only carrying the dishes to
the kitchen then back to the table
again. She left them and went and
sat down beside her husband. Neither
spoke. The baby was asleep and the
house WAS very still. She slipped her
hand through his arm. At her touch
his head dropped a little lower, but ne
spoke no word.
The last light Of day had died on
the tops of the OZark's highest hills.
The moonlight came. From the for
est crest OF the mountain to the west
it crept down until it touched the door
step, and then fell upon the grove of
wild plum trees that grew along the
branch OF the valley field. Now it
lighted up the whole valley, and the
soft south wind of May brought the
perfume Of the growing corn. Still
they sat in silence.
1t had been five years since they
came III the JOY of their simple honey
moon to the little cabin George had
built in the wild forest. 1t was Gov
eminent land, and he thought he had
hOmesteaded it. Five years Of hard
est toll and care followed Now there
was an open field of eighty acres. 4
V ing orchard, barns and Il neat COM
Portable cottage. 1t was their home
and good home they had made it, too
How plain you can smell the corn"
Molltc said at last.
Such good corn" he said brokenly
"Hnd forty acres of it,"
George" she said quite calmly.
eve are young yet; we cleared this
farm and built this house; we can do
il again
He only shook his head. Her words
brought no comfort TO him. He was
thinking of the five years of ceaseless
labor. the best years of his young
manhood, which could never be re-
called.
George, simple minded, good heart
ed, had always been the best natured
and most harmless fellow in the world
During tie days that followed he be-
came morose and Grabbed. He seemed
to have lost all hope. He moped
about the house or wandered aimless-
ly over the fields One day he took
his rifle and told his wife he was
going to kill some squirrels.
Two miles up the river where the
lonely country road passed through a
heavy forest. George hid in a clumD
Of underbrush and waited. For hours
he waited. but no one passed At last
there came the sound of horses feet.
George stepped out into the road and
mot-oned for the rider to stop
Are you the man who bought
Wilson's place." he inquired in cas-
ual way.
Il am" replied the stranger
Instantly the rife went up and
pointed directly at his heart.
We'll, you're goin' 10 die. You want
minute to say your prayers in?'
George spoke cQoily, almost careless
ly, but there was 4 terrible earnest
ness in his eye
Yes said the stranger. Il am the
man that bought your place, and I'm
the man that stole your money five
years ago-wait, don't shoot until I'm
done. When l met you that day at
Springfield l was broke. When you
tod me your business. knew it would
he easy to fool you. l beat you out of
your money. l took it and went West
as far as l could. TOr five years I've
worked in the mines Worked like a
Cog. | saved up fifteen hundred dol
lars and came back here to buy q
| farm. real estate agent had bought
yours from the Government. i. being
!acant, you thinking you had home,
| steaded it. When l came out TO look
| at it two weeks ago l discovered il
was your place and 1 recognized you
/ went back to town and bought it
paid every cent l had George had
lowered his rife and StOod 1eaDjDo