Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-01-04
CHAPTER XVII.
OLD CY WALKER

AC "<AS q MVSl uc1lSulO1 OlO cOulC8U6s
whose knowledge of woodcraft was
marvellous, whose method of exist
ence was the only right and proper
one, and whose companionship was to
be sought at all times.
He knew where all the best trout
pools were, how to line up and find
the bee trees, set snares and traps:
where nuts, berries, and wild grapes
could be found; and more than all
this, he was ready at all times to
share this lore with them. He was
to them q veritable Misunderstanding
outlined on background of forest,
field. and stream, and his shapeless
hat. patched raiment, kindly face, and
quaint speech were familiar to all.
With dog and gun always, and some
Of the village boys occasionally for
companions, he roamed the woods
and followed the streams about
Greenvale, or worked for Aunt Com
fort when needed. He lived in q
howell on her premises, was temperate,
honest, and a friend to everybody ex-
cept David Curtis. There was ample
reason for that exception. In the
long ago, old Cy, schoolmate, friend,
and companion of AMI Curtis, and
later working for him in the mill, had
aspired to own respectable dwell
ing. He bought small tract of land
on the village outskirts, contracted
with David Curtis for lumber, and
when the house was built, gave him
a mortgage to secure payment. That
was almost accomplished when AMI
so mysteriously vanished. But lack
Of employment and illness fell to Cy's
lot; he failed to pay as agreed; then
David foreclosed, and after that old
Cy became vagabond, as it were.
Martin had been one of his boy
admirers, and now since his return
had induced the old man to take him
fishing, and later to superintend the
building OF his dam and the clearing
of land for trout preserve. It was
while thus engaged that a new thought
came to Matchmaking less than to
buy the Mizzy falls and swamp above,
build low dam where the falls were,
and flood large area for trout and
pleasure purposes.
There was also another consider
alton.
Those falls, the keynote to any
manufacturing opportunities or future
growth Of Greenvale, were a valuable
power that might become more so,
and as purely business investment,
it seemed a wise one to Martin. For
a few days he thought about it, and
the more he thought, the more tempt
ing in many ways the investment
seemed.
"Cy," he said, when they were by
themselves, "how much Of the Mizzy
swamp does Dave Curtis own, and
what do you imagine he would ask
for the falls and the land above
them?"
Old Cy looked at him in astonish-
ment. II know every rod he owns
above 'em," he answered finally, "but
We couldn't buy one 'thout payin' ten
times what it's wuth, n then a deed
on t amt no good 'thout Amzi's
signin'."
"Oh, I expect that" answered Mar
tin. indinferently, land as far as
Amzi's signature-why, he'll never
come back. It must be twenty years
since he disappeared"
I'm not so sure o. that" responded
old Cy, resolutely: 1--WE allns held he
was still alive, n believe it yit. Ez
far Douo,o co&tins a ,,rsoo ~, <l,o Af,....
falls n his land, he's been fggering
with some out O. town already. I
heerd him.
'You heard hint"
Il did, fer sartin. I was up the
Mizzy one day last spring, huntin'
fer mink trap that had got dragged
of, n I heard some one comm
through the brush n laid low.
Twas Dave n city man, n Dave
was shown him round and tellin'
him how handy twas to float logs
down the Mizzy in spring freshets, n
about how much he owned. They sot
down on log n talked more n an
hour, n l beerd it all. The city. man
had a scheme to build a mill n grind
up wood n make paper, but they
didn't make decker, fer Dave sot
such an ungodly price. the man
wouldn't pay it."
"How much?"
Thirty thousand dollars!" ...
Martin gave low whistle. He had
heard Curtis was considered SHARP"
but this was such a fabulous sum for
the impossible Misery swamp and
water power that 1t took his breath
away. l,t,s = :s III ~
n i've kept watch fer that man
shown up ever since. = continued old
Cy, IAN If he ever does, I'll open his
eyes bout AMI m one or two other
matters. I've been roostin' round on
back fences now fer q good many
years, waitin' to git square with Davo
Curtis! Why, all his medder land n
houses m both mills n woodland
amt taxed fer but six thousand dol
lars, n askin' thirty fer the Mizzy
swamp n them tumble down rpills
amt no better = stealth : f==
Then Martin laughed, for old Cy's
ideas Of business we're 90 primitive %
his method Of Twins. & i: =* #3.
ITO e continusd.l