Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-11-08


and when spring comes, I'll take We
out with mebbe five hundred dollars
worth of furs n gum ez a beginnin'.
'Thar's also mother side to consider.
Chip wants schoolin n she's got to
study night n day fer the next eight
months, If you go back with EN-, an
go gallivantin' round with her, ez
you're sure to, 1t won't be no help to
her. I've given you two all the
chances fer weavin the threads o.
fectshun l could this summer. an now
let's you n l turn to and make some
money. I've asked your uncle n aunt.
They're willin', n now, what do ye
say"
Few country boys with a love for
trappin, such as Ray had, ever had a
more aluring prospect spread before
them. He knew Old Cy was right in
all his conclusions, and almost With
out hesitation he agreed to the plan.
1t was far-sighted wisdom on Old
Cy's part, however, in not giving. Ray
time to reflect, else the magnet of
Chips eyes on the one hand, and eight
-
would have proved too strong, and
trans ting and gum-gathering, with
$500 as reward, would have failed
As it was, he came near weakening
at the last moment when the canoes
were packed and Angie and Chip came
to take their seats in them.
He and his crude, rude, yet win
y - no
brief preliminary parting the evening
previous. A good many sweet and silly
nothings had been exchanged, also
promises, and now the boys heart was
very sore.
Chip was more stoical. Her life at
Tins Place and contact with Old
Tomah had taught her reserve, and
yet when she turned for the last posi-
Bile look at Old Cy and Ray, waving
good-by at the landing, mist of tears
hid them.
Old Cy's face was also study. To
him these parting clouds were as the
white ones hiding the SUM- yet he felt
their chill. His own life shadow was
frightening. He had now but brief
renewal Of youth in the lives of these
two, and then forgetfulness, as he
knew full well, and yet he pitied them.
More than that, he had set his hand
to guiding the bark of their young
lives into the safe harbor of a home,
and all feelings of his own subserved
to that.
Come, come, my boy" he said to
Ray as the two turned away, and he
noted the lads sad face, she's gone
row, an ye'd best forget her fer
spell We won't, know, n she won't;
but ye'd best make believe We do. This
amt no spot fer lovesick spells.
We've got work to do, n money to
arm; we've got the chance O yer life
now, an me to help ye to it, so brace
up n look cheerful.
Think O. what we got to do to git
ready fer winter n six foot o snow.
Think O. the traps we're goin' to set,
an the fun O. tendin 'em. Why, girls
amt in it minnit with ketchin' mink,
marten, otter, an now n then a lynx
or bobcat Then when We so back
with a new suit N money in yer
pocket, yen feel prouder'n peacock,
n Chip a-smilin' at We sweeter'n new
maple syrup
Verify Old Cy had the wisdom of
age and the cheerfulness of morning
sunshine.
All that day these wilderness-ma-
roonod friends worked hard. An am
pie stock of birch wood must be cut
and split, a shed OF poles to cover it
must be erected alongside of the cabin,
the hermits log hut was to be diyest-
ed Of its fittings, which were TO be re-
moved to the new cabin which all were
now to occupy.
Realizing how vital to their exist
ence the canoes were, Old Cy had also
planned a shelter Of small logs for
them on one side of the log cabin, that
could be locked Here the canoes not
| i'll use must be stored 81 once to guard
against a night call from the malig-
nant half-breed. His canoe had been
taken along by Martins party, to be
left at Tins Place, for even Hersey
would have scorned to appropriate it.
There were dozens of other needs to
! prepare for during the next two
months, all of which were important.
An ample supply of deer meat must be
secured, to be picked and smoked.
All the partridges they could shoot
would be needed. and later, when
south-bound ducks halted at the lake,
few Of these would add to their
| larder.
In this connection, also, another
need occurred to Old Cy. Trout could
be caught all winter in the lake, but
live bait must be had, and so Stat
car to be sunk in some swift-running
stream, which would hold them, must
/ be constructed, also a scoop of mos
4 quito net to catch them. These min
nows were to be found now by the
million in every brook, and forethousht
was Old Cys watchword-
! All these duties and details he dis
cussed hat first day with Ray, while