Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-12-21
The Claim Jumpers
n CHRISTINA
ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON
Copyright, 1905, BY Addison Howard Gibson

Siopc WHICH itu INTO low, Winding
valley. A scant growth of scraggy
/ elms and ghostly sycamores skirted
the small, crooked stream, while dense
i thickets of plum and persimmon We're
scattered here and there The latter
just now We're prodigaI in their pro
duction of lunches of golden purple
fruit. quick glance about decided
Faith to camp here for the night. She
| was just refining the team from the
rutty road into a sheltered glade when
there was a sharp jolt, accompanied
by sound of breaking wood, as one
of the wheels suddenly dropped into a
deep. rain washed gully.
An involuntary cry of dismay es-
capped her when she leaned out and dis
covered that the wheel was broken.
"Oh, Faith, what ever will we do
now?' cried Clint as he saw what
had happened. And Bessie, thoroughly
frightened, began crying bitterly.
Never mind, little one; it'll be all
right, said Faith encouragingIy. 1--WE
can get the wheel mended somewhere. .
But despite her cheerful words she real.
lied that it might require many miles
of weary travel to have the damage to
the wagon repaired. Even if there
should be a shop within two or three
miles, which was not at all likely in
such an isolated spot, how was she to
transport the heavy broken wheel even
single mile? Although she could see
no way as yet to overcome the difficult
ty, she was determined not to give up.
There was always some way out of
every dilemma, and her ever hopeful
heart told her she would surely find
one in this instance.
She climbed out of the wagon and,
assisted by Clint, began to unhitch the
team, while Bessie, dragging the buff
falo robe after her, stood under a per
simmon tree gazing at the cause of
their present trouble with tear wet
eyes. The storm was increasing rapid.
", and the icy wind blew the fakes
through the long, dead grass with a
sharp. Kissing sound
AS Faith, shiVering with cold and
apprehension, led the animals away
from the wagon the sound of approach
ing hoofs came through the snow laden
air, and the next instant two men
mounted on sturdy ponies reined in
near the wrecked vehicle They looked
to be about thirty, were full bearded
and clad in the rough garb usually
worn by plainsmen of the west Broad
brimmed hats covered their heads, and
each had a brace of heavy revolvers
stuck in his wide leather belt In one
unaccustomed to this style of dress the
appearance OF these armed men might
have induced a feeling of terror, but ii
was not so with Faith. Such types OF
western life were familiar to her, she
having spent the past four years on
the frontier of Nebraska.
Good evenin', miss, said Ike Bar
clay, dismounting from bis pony. Had
a breakdown, I see. Bad job!'' he con
tinued after examining the wagon crit
ically.
Yes, SIR returned the young lady.
turning the mule she was holding SO
that she could face the men. rs there
any place near where can get the
wheel mendedg'
"Waal, thar's ole Berger's blacksmith
shop, over at Miley's store, but it's
nigh three miles from hyer. Whar's
yer men folks?' he inquired, glancing
around
1--WE have no men folks with u.s. re-
piled Faith.
"Wotl Yer don't mean ter say yer
trayelin' alone with only them two
kids?" broke in Jim Hancock
Yes responded she simply. eve
have come from Nebraska and are on
the way to our uncle's, whose home is
in the southwestern part of this state"
sWaal, I'll be- But the speaker
suddenly grew red in the face and did
not proceed to tell what he would 'sbe
Yer see" Ike began, s.it seems plumb
cur'us-lilSe ter see a woman travelin'
alone sich weather. Then after an
almost imperceptible pause as though
for explanation, he continued: But it's
lucky we fellers happened along; it is,
by ginger! Now, miss, If you're willin'
ter trust Jim hyer an me, we'H take
that wheel over ter ole Berger's an git
him ter mend it up fer YER
IF you'd only be so kind" returned
Faith hastily. for. Notwithstanding the
relief she experienced, the situation
was not free from embarrassment, I'D
be very much obliged
Not er tail replied Ike, with an at
tempt at polite speech.
The combined strength Of the two
served to get the wagon propped up
IL short time and the offending mem
Der removed.
= reckon we can carry it betwixt
us, said Jim. "Bnt. gee whiz, amt
this wind cuttinps
"Reg'lar ole nor wester. reioined his
companion "A bad night fer them
kids an the woman ter be out an
Christmas eve, at that It's sufferin'
wicked It's, fer sure!
Why blame Us. wot we ehawin
49,