The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-08-15

NiNNNNN ~ NdNfNs WniNN Ntalleh nD-
tween the brakes Of the lower end OF
the valley Of thc Crooked creek In
J Meade county, Kansas
Major G. r. Fullirgton stood flick.
ing the dust from his long top boots
and gazing renectively at the great
nerd. q reckon this is about tho last
big drive we chall have. Tony" he
said to his ranch manager.
"I hape not, sir replied Tony III
could't have az least l6 sectbms
fion which to get fresh air | thing
I'd choke. sir
Me too. Tony. but the Rock Island
road has made survey through here
within five miles Of the ranch. and the
fener they call the diversified farmer
is breaking UP the SOD Of the short
Grass country and raisin' crops. IT'S
the eattemen TO the TAN timber, and
the farmer to the front Tony"
Soon after their cdnversation the
rude breakfast was over, camp was
broken and the long drive to the rail.
road was resumed. Whislling and sing
ing and shouting to the cattle. the
cowboys rode with the herd, glad that
the green plains stlll stretched scarce.
Is broken as far as the eye could
reach. Suddenly straight ahead OF
the herd there appeared a village, ap
parently five or six miles distant one
would have sworn that it was a city
built in the clear atmosphere above a
beautiful lake. Il was an etereal
looking habitation, which stood boldly
outlined against the cloudless sky,
and swayed ceaslessly in the bright
sunlight
To Nose, the colored cook. who had
recently come to Major Fullinsnn
from his fathers southern plantation,
ir seemed to be a section OF fairyland.
Nose gazed at the apparltion for some
time. and the cowboys, noting his evi-
cent uneasiness. began to talk in low
tones and cast mysterious glances in
the direction Of the mess wagon driv-
en- by the negro Finally Nose could
stand It no longer, and driving close
as he could get 20 Major Fullington's
wagon, be asked "Massa Fulllngton,
what am dat town we all are comm
to-"
"That town, Nose? Why. that's a
81 COX town, that's all"
"a spool1 town, Massa Fullingten?
You all don mean to tell me dat dat
am not a real town, sure 'nough town."
That's just what | mean, Nose. ="
replied the Major unconcernedly.
Nose rode along for time in silence
looking occasionally at the mirage out
Of the corner Of his eyes Finally he
asked: How cum dat an snook
town, Massa Fullington?"
"Why, you see It was this way.
Nose. Ages and ages ago all this
country was inhabited by strange
ard unknown race Of people All over
western Kansas they built beautiful
cities and they were very rich and
prosperous. Hundreds Of years ago
no man knows when, there came a del
uee. It rained for tays and earth
quake followed earthquake and torna
dc chased tornado when it was ali
over there was not a living hing in
all this great country The people thus
destroyed loved their country so well
that ever since their death their spirits
returned and rebuilt their towns and
cities in the air and hold high iinks
until driven back 10 the spirit land
Good Lord, exclaimed Nose Am
du what dey am doing right now 10
cat spook town."
you're on. Nose"
what am 1t dat drives dem away
Mrssa Fullingtonf'
They cause their cities and towns
SO suddenly disappear as soon as hu
nan folks come near them"
"Massa Fulllngton. YOU am iolgin
me Dat certainly am a real town
"Now look hero. Nose That town
IS cn yonder hill. is # not2 Well you
know berry wen that we can't see owe.
the Lii and therefore the town mus
be on top Of g. Now we are going "a
drive the cattle right over that hil'
and you keep your eyes on that spoop
town and see IL it don't fade away be
fore we get there
Several of the cowboys had cnteroa
into the spiri, he finn AND began
telling Nose OF the wonderful sDooas
there were on the plains country
"Whou we get within sixty miles Of
town" declared one of ttem I'VE viii
shcw you a spook railroad train com
ing after you iu the air. Nose sniger
ed. but said nothing His eyes warl
ryeted on the spook town. whicl
seemed to him TO have already begun
70 fade.
DO you see, Nose" asked Major
| Fulhugton, "the spools are cleaning
house"
The colored mans jaw dropped. hi'
Cesh went creepy and goose pimply al
over. he could feel his hair raising and
he grew cold az ice With chatterinl
teeth be asked. Am we all goin' q