Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-02-22

n eRNWeu EN- nSlp. He looked a
EN- a long spell m then sOt down m
cried like baby. callate the old
times is all comm back piecemeal." +
Have you mentioned David to him
YETI" 49,
mo, dassent," answered old Cy
shaking his head, Il dassent, not yit.
He acted so Gurus AFTER that cryin'
spell, sorter dazed all day, dunno as
it's best. II he's goin' ter stay here N
I with him, we'd best not NEEDLE too
much with his memory. He might 60
clean daft. He's all right s fur as
things here go; but thar's gap 'twixt
now an the, old days, an we best not
try to bridge it. II he once sot eyes
on Angie or David, it nd all come
back, n mebbe drive him crazy 8 a
loon."
And Martin, trying to imagine how
it would affect him to thus live in al
most utter solitude for score of
years, realized that old Cy was right,
and that this poor hermit's reason vas
almost gone. 1t was more than pitt
full. and yet it was q, fact. And then he
fell to thinking OF his own duty, and
how he must break the news to Angie
and how she would receive it. He had
dreaded this expedition for many .rea:
sons, and yet it had to be taken. In
one way he could return with, good
news-her father was alive and con-
tent, ii childish-that was some conso-
lation. Old Cy's cheerful companion
ship might work wonders, and so Mar
tin tried to find hope.
AS for the business part of his mis-.
sion; it. seemed trifle. Am1isconld
end doubtless would sign any necessary
legal papers-Martin had them all in
mind-a brief will in Angles favor,
DR.. Sol as conservator and admins
traitor, with power of attorney, all duly
witnessed, and for the rest and any
action upon these Angie herself must
decide.
Il am going to let you manage this
matter, as I told you before" he said
to old Cy, after explaining this part
of his mission. "You have been with
him week now; he trusts you like a
child. and in your own way you can
get him to sign the documents / want,
I think now" he added, rising, 'Ill
play boy with you two for week and
build an ell on the cabin for JEAN"
How that week of playing boy"
was passed-how Martin stalked and
killed the deer he needed, and dozens
OF cartridges and ducks besides, how
the cabins addition was erected and
other improvements made, and how
much Martin enjoyed this Good Sa-
marian labor-need not be specified.
AMI also seemed to grow fond of his
cheerful voice, and obeyed him like
the child he was.
There was also some pleasure min
gled in, for the hermit, stimulated by
the excitement of more company.
seemed to grow more sane and like T.
mature man in thought, and told
stories Of his long journeys through the
wilderness and meetings with bear and
wildcat; how he had at various times
Ventured down to a settlement, and
how curious people had been: and, in
short, he related bits of his history
without connection.
There was some sport to diversity
the work and care, for he led Martin
and old Cy far into the wilderness
where he had traps set, showed them
spring holes in the lake that seemed
alive with trout, and when evening
came, he was as pleased as a child and
as ready to produce his jews'-harp.
He rapidly lost much of his misan-
thropic and surly demeanor under the
influence of companionship, acted and
talked as if he had known those about
him for many years, and grew fond
of them.
It all added an unexpected pleasure
to Martins labors, and when Levi re-
turned with the coveted paper and ca.
noe well loaded with stores, the. hut
was doubled in size, it's walls enclosed
in a foot-thick casing of fir boughs and
moss combined, a roof of poles was
erected over the door, the roofs of both
cabins doubly th"tched, two more
hunks we'll filled tn dry moss and
leaves were made ready, and all posi-
BILE security against long, cold winter
provided.
The legal documents were, as~Mar-
tin expected, obtained with ease,
money was given old Cy to pa% Jean
for six months service, and with it
ample directions for the hermit's care.
Everything that Martin could think of
he had attended to, and none too soon,
for November had come, the wild geese
were moving southwark, the hardwood
trees were bare Of leaves, and: ice
formed in secluded coves around the
lake each night. + 200-mile canoe
journey still separated him from civili-
cation, and it was high time that he
departed.
II shall miss you going out" he OBJ
served to old Cy, when ready to start,
but it's 60 now, or get frozen in. You
and Amzi are well provided for, how
ever, and I'll be back in the spring."
"rll miss We the most" replied old
Cy, wistfully, IAN I can't thank We fer
all ye've done fer me. All kin say Is
take good keer O. yerself, an fetch
Angle back with We when We come"
And all the long days, ever pushing
on, up stream, down stream, across
lake and carry, and each night beside
campfire, that hope was a consola-
ton to Martin.