The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-25

They're laying out a railroad"
"a railroad? You dom sayl How'll
it Gomez"
'Why, right this way"
Lancaster caught the other by the
boot strap. "Shore?" he asked.
Sure" repeated Lounsbury. Sure
as death and taxes. It's bound to run
somewhere between the coulee and
Medicine mountain, and it'll stop-at
least for few years-at the Missouri
With those sloughs in the way at the
south end of the gap, it can't reach the
river without coming over your land
First thing you know. you'll have
stores and saloons around your house
There's going to be a town on the
bend. sir
The elder man scanned the younger's
face Lounsbury was smiling half
teasingly. yet undoubtedly he was in
earnest.
wy, Lawd" breathed the section
boss. realizing the whole import of the
news. A railroad would mean i'm
measurable good fortune to the trio of
settlers who like young prairie chick
ems that fear to leave the side of their
mother, had chosen quarter sections
near the guarding fort. And to him.
penniIess. with motherless girls, it
meant
The ferrying IS so good right here, -
went on the storekeeper. why. it's
10 to 1 shot the track II end on your
claim"
With one accord all looked across the
level quarter. where the new green
was creeping in after the late rains.
"A railroad. An town. The sec
ton boss pulled at his grizzled goatee.
They'll make this piece worth Il
heap"
They WILL" agreed Lounsbury. But
road or no road. seems to me you've
/ got about the cream of this side of the
river"
| you right" said Lancaster. But
the girls were silent, except that Dal
/ las gave a sigh deep and full OF hap
| piness.
Lounsbury glanced at her. "You
like the place. don't you," he asked
"even if He suddenly paused. Hel
palms were open and half turned up
ward. Across each lay Il crimson stripe
the mark of the plow handle.
For the second time she read his
meaning. Yes, / like the prairie,
she answered, eff I do have to plow.'
And she stepped from the furrow t
the unturned sod.
AS she stood there Lounsbury caugh
the clear outline of her firmly drawn
face Beside her Marylyn, slight anC
colorless, was for the moment eclipsed
The hat of the elder girl was brushed
back, displaying forehead upOI
which shnne the very spirit of thu
unshackled. Her hands, large, yet no
too large for the splendid figure o
which they were the instruments
were clasped upon her breast. Watch
ing her, it seemed to Lounsbury tina
she must have sprung as she wa
from the plains one day-grave, ful
grown and gallant
Her fathers voice broke in harshly
"Ah didn' want she should plow," b
protested. "Ah figgered t git som
one on tick, but seems like Dalla
She
1--WE like it here" she interrupted
because the air is cool and there
lots of grass" Then, after bending /
gather a purple flower, she steppe
back to the plow.
You're planning to stay, them" sal
Lounsbury.
STAY" burst forth the section boss
Don it look like it,"
Lounsbury made no reply, only smi
ed genially.
Maybe v reckon we-all amt safe?
continued Lancaster. "Waal, tn mes
I ers roun' Fort Sully's safe 'nough."
The storekeeper pointed across til
river to where a flag was flying at til
center of the post quadrangle. Your
1 in sight of that he said simply.
The other snorted. Then, sitting
I retort, he searched Lounsbury's fac
with his milky blue eyes. "Ah'd lib
t. asst wy Y didn' tell me bout Il
! track when All seen y las" he obser'
= ed suspiciously.
The storekeeper gave hearty laugl
And why didn't you say you ha
4 daughters? he demanded.
& Instantly a change came over Il
q elder man. He darkened angrily. n
q breath shortened as if he had bee
& running. Visible trembling seized hir
body and limbs.
Mystifed. Lounsbury turned to Da
8 las and saw that her eyes We're ia
3 tened upon her father imploringl
NO, no, dad" he heard her whispe
mo. no."
81 The storekeeper fastened to spea
8 Joking aside" he said, 1.-THE reason
q this: The railroad company wants Il
q right kind of people to settle on Il
q land along the survey. 1t doesn't wa
y men who'd file just to get price,
4 the story hasn't leaked much"
8 Lancaster was fumbling at b
q crutches. "Ah see; All see" he sa
s. sulkily Then. with an attempt at b
81 ing courteous: Come up t tn shac