The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1902-07-04
"Why not?,

"Then drop me-that's all! I'm through
with that rubbish; you can't be my friend
and his'n, too!'
"Whew!" whistled Burton, trudgng 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 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.
"I'll 20 with you. Anything valuable
here, Squirew 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 Phil
lips" answered Russell.
Because I've got some extra hazbard-
GUS in my satchelv' half-laughed Bur-
ton. 4
Allows thatY' WI
"a dozen genuine double-headed Chi
nese giant fire-bombs. Brought 'emjclear
from Manila to celebrate Fourth Of July
with the Phillips kids. Looks. though, =
suggested Burton. ruefully, "as II there
isn't going to be much celebrating around
these parts!'
II fear not" gravely replied Russell.
II suppose you know the bone of conten-
ton between these two stubborn-headed
old fellowsy'
II don't. but want to know" assert.
ed Burton. f~
'Well, you remember the eighty-acre
strip that lies between the two farms
belongs to the Morris estate. Last year
Ned Morris leased 1t for ten years to
Ames. Same time, unknowingly. Ida
Morris leased 1t to Phillips. Both claim
ed 1t. Neither would give in. They've
fought like cats and dogs over their re-
spective claims. suggested they use it
alternate years No go. I've got the
leases in my document bag there. and I've
come down to see if they won't fix the
matter up"
When they reached the Phillips farm
joyous brood Of children surrounded
"Uncle Rolfe." He was kept busy dis
tributing newly minted dollars and
agreeing to help them shoot off their
fireworks, and act the festive old boy gen.
orally.
Provided with the means Of replenish-
ment, the children set off some of their
stock In hand. Meantime, old Seth came
In from the fields. Burton sat on the
veranda, watching the stubborn-eyed
farmer while the lawyer explained that
he and Ames must compromise or go to
| law.
claw be itr' cried Seth. "I'll neve,
give In"
| Bang!
An awful clatter rent the air. The spo'
where they had left the lawyers horse
and buggy was a maelstrom Of fire ant
defamation.
"My double-headed Chinese bombs!'
cried Burton.
my legal document bagv Quaveret
Russell. 4
This had happened: The youthful Phil
lips brood had thrown some crackers into
the buggy, Are had communicated to tn,
contents, there had been an explosion
and Uncle Roles cherished importation,
had gone up in smoke!
"Hurrah for the Fourth Of Julyr
Uncle Rolfe waved his hat with will
"Bht 1t isn't the Fourth Of July-yet"
piped a tiny nephew.
"Hurrah for the third Of July. them
roared the whole-hearted visitor. "Glory
Buggy blown to flinders, horse run away
Lawyer Russell scared to DEATH, but al
the same-hurrah"
There was cause for jubilation. Uncle
Rolfe had come as the good angel of tn,
| occasion.
Now. four hours after the explosion
two shame-faced neighbors shook hands
and made up" and meekly smiled upoI
happy Alma and George. cooling amoni
the rose bushes. 4
The explosion had ended Mitigation,
for 1t had blown to flinders both of tn,
leases that made the eighty acres a BON
Of contention. ~
1.-TWO swell-disposed, lifetime-f rien,
cronies fighting over a bit Of land!" raj
lied Burton. "You stubborn old noodles
I'll soon settle that. Know what I'm GO
ing to dot"
All hands looked expectant, for uncl
Rolfe was always doing something grea,
I've depntized Russell to buy tn
eighty acres for me. You. Seth, sha
have half OF it to till; you, 81, the othe
half-for a year."
And then?' inquired both farmers il
IA voice.