Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1902-07-04
"Why not p

why notT'
"Then drop me-that's all! I'm through
with that rubbish; you can't be my friend
and his'n, toov'
.'Whew" whistled Burton. trudging on
He sat down by the wayside. finally.
| His wits were askew. What. indeed, was
happening? Things seemed turned all
| topsy-turvy!
| He got up as he saw a light buggy APP
preaching, and recognized old Lawyer
| Russell. There was an interchange OF
greetings. The attorney stated he was
going first to the Phillips farm, then on
to Ames' place.
| sTll go with you. Anything valuable
here, Squire| asked Burton, as he plac-
ed his satchel behind the seat next to
the attorneys document bag.
Nothing but the papers in this pes
tiferous dispute between Ames and fhli-
lips" answered Russell
because I've got some extra hazbard-
GUS in MY satchelr' half-laughed Bur
ton.
Flows that?
"a dozen genuine double-headed Chi
nese giant fire-bombs. Brought 'em clear
from Manila to celebrate Fourth of July
with the Phillips kids. Looks. though,
suggested Burton. ruefully, "as If there
isn't going to be much celebrating around
these parts!'
81 fear not" gravely replied Russell
81 suppose you know the bone of conten-
ton between these two stubborn-headed
old fellows"
81 don't, but l want to know" assert
ed Burton.
"Well. you remember the eighty-acrt
, strin that lies between the two farms
, belongs to the Morris estate. Last veal
! Ned Morris leased it for ten years +
, Ames. Same time, unknowingly, Lidi
Morris leased it to Phillips. Both claim
ed it. Neither would give in. They'v'
fought like cats and dogs over their re
spective claims. / suggested they use
alternate years. No go. I've got tn
leases in my document bag there. and ~
:, come down to see if they won't Tx tn
matter up"
When they reached the Phillips farm
ioyous brood of children surrounds
e "JJncle Rolfe." He was kept busy dis
!: tributing newly minted dollars an
agreeing to help them shoot off thei
fireworks, and act the festive old boy ger
y orally.
:: Provided with the means of replenisf
e ment, the, children set off some of thel
:, stock in hand. Meantime, old Seth cam
n in from the fields. Burton sat on tn
yeranda, watching the stubborn-eye
y farmer while the lawyer explained thi
- he and Ames must compromise or go
y law.
Law be itv' cried Seth. III new
y give in"
" Bang!
lg An awful clatter rent the air. The sp'
lie where they had left the lawyers hor'
4, and buggy was maelstrom OF nre al
u detonation..
ess "My double-headed Chinese bombs
~ cried Burton.
Cd "My legal document bag?' quaver'
Gu Russell.
This had happened: The youthful Phi
d; lips brood had thrown some crackers IN
.r. the buggy, fire had communicated to Il
en- contents, there had been an explosio
he and Uncle Rolfe's cherished importatio
ty had gone up in smoke!
he
g "Hurrah for the Fourth of July!'
a Uncle Rolfe waved his hat with wi
"But it isn't the Fourth Of July-yet
on piped a tiny nephew.
nd "Hurrah for the third Of July. then
wv roared the whole-hearted visitor. "Glor
his Buggy blown to flinders, horse run ava
"a Lawyer Russell scared to death, but
I'm the same-hurrah!'
There was cause for jubilation. Un'
he Rolfe had come as the good angel of
rel occasion.
nd Now, four hours after the explosi'
Ike two shame-faced neighbors shook han
and made up" and meekly smiled up
ar happy Alma and George, cooling amo
the rose bushes.
ng The explosion had ended litigation
led for it had blown to flinders both of
leases that made the eighty acres be
tn, of contention.
"Two well-disposed, lifetime-frie
Tho cronies fighting over bit of land" !
lied Burton. 'You stubborn old mood
.ly. I'll soon settle that. Know what I'm
or ing to dor
All hands looked expectant. for uu
red Rolfe was always doing something gre
"I've deputized Russell to buy
it'll eighty acres for me. You, Seth, 81
old have half of it to till; you, 81, the OF
'wn half-for a year"
gh- "And thenr inquired both farmers
q voice.