Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-11-06
CHAPTER X.-CoNr1NUEp.
"F4re 2" cried Rossiter.

''F4re?" cried Rossiter.
.Firel yes, siree," said Parmelee.
.'Well, let out yell for Dick Whit
4lesey, and he came boundin' to the
doom, scarf as a rabbit. 'Water!' I
shouted to him. Bring that bucket!'
We always keep bucket handy, you
know, in case anythin' should hap
pen inside. He was pretty quick,
s'pose, but it seemed just all eternity
to me. However, when he did come
we weren't many seconds gittin'
round to the other side, and there
was as pretty little blaze as you'd
care to see just beginnin' to eat into
the boards of the kiln. If we'd been
five minutes later, you wouldn't be
standin7 where you are now"
"By Jove," exclaimed Rossiter,
that's a mighty serious matter!
You think"
'Thinlsi" broke in Parmelee; "you
don't have to think long to spot the
pair O hands that tried that trick
It's that develish ape I thrashed the
other night, though there's nothin' to
prove it. Very considerate, call it,
of those Waterbury people to fix up
that stockade, or whatever it is, for
hoboes over there, and bring all the
offscourings in creation into this part
of the country
''Is that what they've done?" asked
Rossiter.
YES" said Parmelee. "They lug
a tramp if he's found in town, but
outside the corporation they've got
this place, where all the Migrants I'M
der Gods heaven can sleep and feed.
We're reapin' the benefit of their
little scheme
Il don't, believe this fellowll try
1t on again here" said Becraft, as he
and Rossiter turned to go.
Guess you're right" answered
Parmelee. ''Of course, he saw that
we nipped his fine little flame in the
bud, and knows we're pretty sure to
De on the lookout. If you should go
over to Waterbury tomorrow, like
as not you'd find him there with some
of his handsome pals as innocent as
you please"
AS Rossiter and .Becraft sailed
forth. on their excursion to Blue
Creek on the following morning,
Sunday, they encountered Jack Par
melee and Mr.. Merton in earnest talk
at the gateway.
Coin for a tramp?" Parmelee
asked as thee two passed
EYES," answered Rossiter, cover to
Blue Creek
Its quite place." said Parmelee.
IN tell you what you might do"
he continued, "if you care to walk as
= far"
whats that?"
swell, if you follow .he creek down
for three-quarters o. p Ml:,e, mebbe,
you'll come to little b-each that
leads up through side gully. Strike
into that for score of rods, cross
the Blue Creek road, which makes a
big dip just there, and after you've
gone, oh, say twice as far again, take
Decline through the woods and
you'll hit our loggin'-road that'n
fetch you out at the meadow below
the orchard
':Much obliged" said Rossiter.
"And say" added Parmelee, "you
might. just have your eyes open and
watch out for any traces of that
hairy hobo"
"We'n do it'll" and the two swung
off in the direction of the gulf.
1t was one of those vital Septem-
S Der mornings. The artist Frost had
begun work upon his autumn picture,
giving little touches here and there
which later he would amplify until
The whole countryside from horizon
to horizon: would show the result of
his glowing skill.
You're not sorry you came hop
2ickin, -are your" demanded sBecraft,
- the two stopped for moment as