Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-21

house off Fort street. where he had
"outfitted" three months before. There
he reclaimed his valise. shaved. clothed
himself in linen and chcviot ONE more
and sauntercd slowly to the land Office
to await its opening.
At Q o'clock neither of tho partners
had appeared. Thorpe entered the Of.
fee and approached the desk.
us there Il telegram here for Harry
Thorpe" he inquired.
The clerk TO whom he addressed him.
self merely motonod with his head 10
ward young fellow behind the railing
in Il corner. The latter shifted com
fortaby and replied No"
AT the Same instant steps wore hear
Mr. Morrison appeared on tho sill. Then
Thope showed the stuff which he was
made.
is this the dosl. for buying government
lands?" he asked hurriedly.
Yes" replied the clerk.
Il have some descriptions ! wish to
buy in
VERY we'll" replied the clerk. What
townships
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 tho counter. At
this moment tho bland voice Of Mr. Nor
rison made itself heard at Thopes elbow.
Good morning, Mr.. Smithers." it said
with the deliboratIon OF the consciously
great man. Il have a few descriptions
would like to buy in the northern pcnn-
sula."
Good morning Mr.. Morrison. archie.
u -
what Mr.. Morrison wishes
The lumbcrman and the other clerks
consulted in a low voice, after which tho
Official turned to tumble among tn. re-
cords. Not finding what he wanted he
approached Smithers. A whispered con-
sultation ensued between these two. Then
Snitkers said /:
..:. MORRISON. This
..elti"r.aa II !po..ing over these town.
alps and Will have flushed in few
EumcntS"
Morrison's eye suddenly became un.
| oasy.
IL am somewhat busy this morning"
! n, objected with shade Of command
II his vote
Jerk dclicatrly.
II am sorry" put in Thorpe with
brcvity. My time. too, is valuable
Morrison BOXED at him sharply.
My deal is a big one" he snapped.
II can probably arrange with this gen
tlcman to Let him have his farm"
Il claim precedence" replied Thorpe
calmly.
well" said Morrison. swift as light,
"Ill tell ycu, Smithcrs. III leave my
| list of descriptions and a check with
You. Civ. rae 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
/ tho,n. Although the clerks receipt
nt.ht not give Morrison valid claim
/ nevertheless it would AFFORD basi. for
lawsuit. Thorpe saw the trap and
| interposcd.
"IIold on" h- interrupted. Il claim
precedence You can give no receipt
j for any lend in these townships until
/ after my business il transacted.
have reason to believe that this gentle
man and myself arc both after the
/ same descriptions.
What" shouted Morrison, assumin:
surprise.
You will have 70 wait your turn
Mr. Morrison" sid tho clerk, yirtuou
before So many Witnesses.
The business man was in a whi'
rage Of excitement.
Il insist on ny Application being fl't
Mt oncew lie cried. waving his chcct
Il have the money RIGHT here to T'>
fer every acre Of Il. and if know tA'
law the frs; man to pay takes tA'
land"
lie slapped the check down on the
rail and hit it a number Of times viii
nd faced him with stecly look in bis
evcl eyes.
Mr. Morrison" lie said you arc
.uite right. The first man who pays
,;els the land, but have won the first
chance To pay. lou will kindly str
one side until finish my business with
Mr.. Smithcrs here
Il suppose YOU have the amount ac
tually with you" said the clerk quite
respectfully, because II you have not
Mr.. Morrisons claim Will take precc
dence."
Il would hardly have any business
in a land Office if did not know that,
replied Thorpe, and began his dicta
ton Of the description as calmly rs
though his inside pocket contained the
required amount in bank bills.
Thorpcs hopes had sunk to zero
After all looking at the matter dis
passionatey, why should he expect
| Carpenter to trust him, stranger
with so large sum? 1t had beer
madness. Only the blind confidence OF
the fighting man led him farther into
the struggle.
Thorpes descriptions were contained
in the battered little notebook he hat
carried with him in the woods. Fol
each piece of land first there came the
township described by latitude ant
east and west range. After this sc
neric description followed another fg
ure representing the section OF tina
particular district. So 40-l7 vs.
meant SECTION 3 of the township or
range 40 north, II west. If Thorpe
wished to purchase the whole section
that description would suffice. On thu
other hand if he wished to buy onl.
one forty he described its position il
the quarter section, Thus SW-NN
u. o.,