The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-06-23
UNION: THURSDAY, JUNE Is, 1904.

In corner. The latter shifted com
fortably and replied "No.''
At the same instant steps were heard
IN the corridor. the door opened, and
Mr.. Morrison appeared on the sill.
Then Thorpe showed the stuff of which
he was made
us this the desk for buying govern
nent lands?" he asked hurriedly.
Eyes. replied the clerk.
II have some descriptions l wish to
buy in
Very WELL" replied the clerk. what
township?''
Thorpe detailed the figures, which he
knew by heart. The clerk took from a
cabinet the three books containing
them and spread them out on the coun-
ter. At this moment the bland voice of
Mr.. Morrison made itself heard at
Thorpe's elbow.
Good morning, Mr.. Smithers.' it
said with the deliberation of the con-
sciously great man. II have few de-
scriptions l would like to buy in the
northern peninsula
Good morning, Mr.. Morrison. Archie,
there. will attend to you Archie, see
what Mr.. Morrison wishes"
The lumberman and the other clerks
consulted in low voice, after which
the official turned to tumble among
the records. Not finding what he want
ed, he approached Smithers A whis-
pered consultation ensued between
these two. Then Smithers called:
Take q seat, Mr.. Morrison. This
gentleman is looking over these town
ships and will have finished in a few
moments"
Morrison's eye suddenly became un-
easy.
Il am somewhat busy this morning.
be objected. with a shade of command
in his voice
IF this gentleman'- suggested the
clerk delicately.
Il am sorry" put in Thorpe, with
brevity. "Nly time, too. is valuable
Morrison looked at him sharply.
| MY deal is big one," he snapped.
Il can probably arrange with this gen.
tleman to let him have his farm"
81 claim precedence" replied Thorpe
calmly.
"We]l," said Morrison. swift as light,
'In tell you, Smithers. III leave my
list of descriptions and a check with
you. Give me receipt and mark my
lands off after you've finished with
this gentleman"
Now, government and state lands are
the property of the man who pays for
them. Although the clerks receipt
might not give Morrison a valid claim,
nevertheless it would afford basis for
lawsuit. Thorpe saw the trap and
interposed.
Hold on" he interrupted. II claim
precedence. You can give no receipt
for any land in these townships until
| after my business is transacted I
have reason to believe that this gentle
man and myself are both after the
same descriptions"
| "Whatv' shouted Morrison, assuming
surprise.
"You will have to wait your turn,
| MI. Morrison said the clerk, virtuous
before so many witnesses.
The business man was in white
rage of excitement.
II insist on my application being fled
at oncev' he cried, waving his check.
y have the money right here to pay
for every acre of it, and if I know the
law the first man to pay takes the
! land"
He slapped the check down on the
rail and hit it number of times with
the fat of his hand. Thorpe turned
and faced him with steely look in his
level eyes.
| "Mr. Morrison" he said, you are
quite right. The first man who pays
| gets the land, but have won the first
chance to pay. You will kindly step
one side until finish my business with
Mr.. Smithers here
II suppose you have the amount ac-
tually with you," said the clerk quite
respectfully, because if you have not
Mr.. Morrison's claim will take prece-
| deEce."
81 would hardly have any business
in land Office if did not know that"
replied Thorpe, and began his dicta-
ton of the description as calmly as
though his inside pocket contained the
required amount in bank bills.
! Thorpe's hopes had sunk to zero
After all, looking at the matter dis
| passionately, why should he expect
Carpenter to trust him, a stranger,
with so large a sum? It had been
madness. Only the blind confidence Of
the fighting man led him farther into
the struggle.
Thorpe's descriptions were contained
in the battered little notebook he had
carried with him in the woods For
each piece of land first there came the
township described by latitude and
east and west range. After this ge-
neric description followed another fig
ure representing the section of that
| particular district So Alt VS.