The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1903-04-30
The Ways Of Ltv.
BY FRANK II. SWEET


a stray chicken wandered aim
about Il small clearing Now he
ped to peck at bright pebble,
aopped forward to examine
of tussock grass. Then a grass
attracted his attention. And a.
time he was getting farther
from home. AT last he paused {,
bank of dark creek and looked
curiCusly. 1t was new world to
Near by long, black object lay
embedded in the sand After
ing it a few moments he hoped
er. Then came quick flash Al
swapping of teeth; the chicken
drama was over, and the allisa
tail slid back into the sand, an
half closed eyes resumed their
Of sleepy Inconsistencies.
Overhead magnolias and live csi
mingled their branches, while ,e.
and there rose the stately trunA
royal palms. Beyond the creek, =
stretching away for a inbred m
to the south and west, y ere the Ever
glades. In the distance cleaned u,
blue waters of Lake Okeechobee. T.
the east was wilderness, to
north almost twenty miles Of almn"
impenetrable jungle. And in the mi
the little clearing, lonely and VII
and ugly. For, except where the L..
cabin stood near the center, the tic =
had been merely girdled, and ROY
rose white and ghostly their eray
skeleton arms creaking and groanil
with every passing breeze. Amo!i
them were long ridges of sweet pc a
to vines, and, nearer the cabin, teE
clnmDs of gUmbo and banana stalls
Tie cabin had but two Windows
small openings, which were close
of these q young girl was prepariN
compile. In the stove behind her wa
the inevitable kettle of hominy. 4
she worked, the girl occasional
broke into snatches of negro melod
or oldfashioned hymns, her fresh
young voice floating out into the fol
est and bringing quick responses fror
the moclling birds and warblers.
Two men were working their wa
through the thick masses Of paine
to. Suddenly they paused to lister
What a voice." one Of them e1
claimed "a backwoods nightingale.
ut must be old Dobsons daughter,
said the other Il was here five year
ago, and she was then the wildes
and happiest little thing | ever saw
beautiful child with a wonderfl
voice"
Again the clear notes foated out
them. AS they died away the frs
speaker drew long breath.
What an acquisition she would b
to my chorus" he said.
IJis companion laughed.
There you go again. Never fin
voice but you must be covetous-
the penalty of being a theater mai
ager, l suppose"
A few moments later they emerge
from the palmetto AS they crosse
window and appeared in the doorwa
For an instant she merely locke
curious. then glow of recognize
:, came to her face. Before they ha
) time to speak she sprang down II
| steps with outstretched hands.
"Mr. Lowry, for all the worl'!" 81
: cried, her eyes sparkling with plea
ure Hits mighty pleasant to 81
: YOU roun' again. Paw'll suttingly
glad
"And l shall be glad to see him
said Mr.. Lowery, heartily. I'VE ha'
) had some rare hunts together. B
how you have grown. You were on
a little girl when l left" Then, nc
ding toward his companion, ne sal
GIVE brought my friend, Mr.. Dani
son. down to try alligator hunting.
tell him your father is probably t
: best gator guide in south Florida. y
The girls face clouded.
Paws in right pore shape" S
i y, said. HE was lost in the Everglad'
iS an got the shakes pow'ful bad
"A low he can't do no more guidin
ell right smart
of The men looked at each other
t. perplexity, seeing which, the g
ut fastened to add:
Sc "Cleb can guide you all bette
IL ANYBODY 'cept paw. He amt