The Monticellonian., 1904-10-20
At Squatter's
 CulCh
.Daws1s>-SN&Sl
Copyright, lea. by Daily Story Pub. Co,
By THOMAS B. MoNTFoRT

Copyright l99 by Daily Story Pub. Col
 I0E COUSINS was seated in iron cJ of his cabin up in Sequatchi' gulch. He was weary and discouraged for he had just added another 10 7 long series of day. of hard and futil' effort in his search for gold
 Presently another man came dowr the road, logged out in his Sunday a. tire. He was humming a light air. his head well up and satisfied expres- sion on his face Joe Cousins watched his man for a moment a scowl on his countenanee, then to himself he said:
 D him
 When the man came even with Joe he stopped and for an instant. stood silent cycling him closely. There was something of an air of triumph in his manner that was exasperating.
 We'll he said, presently how $ things"
 @oh, about so. Cousins replied, with forced caimness.
 Struck nothing yet?7
 "No."
 Toe bad. isn it"3
 @oh. don't know IL takes time to strike fortune. Things will come around all right l guess"
 Maybe SO I hope they will, any how; but you can't always tell. You missed your chance up there at Rug gles Point. If yoa had done as I did you would be on Easy street now"
 That's true. I guess: but I prefer to get money in some other way Id rather remain poor all my life than rob helpless old man.
 "Oh. it wasn't robbery. Joe. Moth ing like it. It was just merely a sharp stroke of business. It's done every day
 Perhaps it is; but that doesn't make it right. Joe replied sIt may be business in the eyes of some pep pie. but to ne il looks like dishon- esty''
 The other laughed.
 Well, look at it as you please" ne said. You have that right I'm afraid. though, you'll never get on in this world if you're always going te be so particular II don't pay. Such high notions of honor are commenda- ble no doubt. but they don't buy any thing. Well. I'm off for town. Any thing can dc for you down there 9"
 No"
 "I may see Miss Harmon Just barely possible you know If there is any word you want to send her I'll be glad 10 take it''
 Joe's face darkened again.
 Very much obliged, he said There is nothing you can do for me"
 The other hesitated for a momcnt. then. with an exasperating air of self assurance said:
 "I want to be square with you. Joe, so I'll tell you something I'm going to ask Miss Harmon to marry me"
 Joe stood up. flash of anger in his eyes. With an effort he controlled his feelings and calmly replied:
 "So far as l can see that IS none of my business If you want her. and she is willing to have you, marry her"
 "Of course. But knowing that you are in love with her. thought I ought to tell you. don't want to appear 70 take any advantage of you, you know.
 You are very eonsiderate Jim. very. But it is not necessary for you to bother about me. You have a pe-- feet right to marry Miss Harmon-:f you can get her"
 Thanks, l am glad you feel SO about it Of course know you can rot expect to win her-not in your financial condition you know That is one of the great disadvantages of being poor. isn't it?'
 The half-sneering, wholly patroniz- ing tone in which these words were uttered was highly trying 10 Joe Drawing himself up to his full height he said, warmly:
 Poor as 1 am. Jim Lewis. I would not exchange places with you for the world. Money is a good thing to have. but clear conscience is better Even for the sake of winning Miss Harmon I would not want 10 get a dollar dishonesty.
 "Nol Well. l hope you may find much happiness in your high ideas, Joe. For my part, I'll risk finding my happiness in plenty of money and the woman I love So long
 Jim Lewis resumed his walk dowr the road. His manner was that of 2 man thoroughly satisfied with him self and the world in general His bearing was that of victor.
 Joe Cousins returned to his seat. and. placing his elbows on his knees. dropped his face into his hands. He was very unhappy. He loved Jane Harmon and he believed he could W in her If he dared to try. But he was poor. and he was too proud 10 ask any woman to marry him and share his poverty. He had toiled faithfully for years and fortune had not smiled on him. So far as he could see. there was not the slightest indication ol any improvement in his financial prospects For this reason he re ruaiupd away from Mise FJar,rOp ~iv