Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23
Drawings by p. v. e. Ivory

Drawings by p. v. E. Ivory
DALSER and spent the following winter also
II in our cabin" said Uncle Tom Andy Bill.
and we had another fine lot of furs. which
took to Cincinnati just the road
good. We received only hundred and twenty
dollars for them; but that great sum in those
days. 1t looked small to us, however. because we
treasure. We had settled fact: The five
chests could not possibly contain less than five
thousand dollars and that would make rich;
We had discussed the treasure so often. and had
talked about it so much between ourselves. that
we felt it was already ours and that with little
patience should possess it We had
toned the treasure even to the folks at home. l
confess that did tell Nab about it: but the secret
safe with her as it was with me, and she
very proud to feel that she the only
Balser and that knew about it. Of course, Balser
didn't know that had told Nab
Il can't explain why we felt of getting
the treasure but this know. that doubted
even for one moment, that the gold would one day
be ours.
ION the road to Cincinnati we were received as
heroes at the inns and taverns and were pointed
out to strangers the boys that had broken up
the Wolf gang two years before. We could have
stopped at any tavern along the road without pay
ing for meals and lodgings: but we loved
to camp out. We took our time going and returning
and slept under the wagon every pleasant night.
THE first evening out of Cincinnati our way
home, we camped on the banks of small
river,-I think it was Whitewater Camping
nous schooner wagon schooner wagon bed
built high at each end like the old fashioned ships
in which Columbus crossed the and would hold
nearly much could store in small ship.
When reached Whitewater found the
old man trying to corral his An is a very
stupid brute. and when fact penetrates to
his brain, it takes complete possession of him If
he realizes that his master has lost control of him.
he is the most stubborn. aggravating four-footed
creature that breathes. The old mans oxen had
broken loose. and he in trouble. After we had
unhtched and had fed horses hurried
neighbours assistance and every OK was
knee-ha1tered and reduced to submission
Much obeeged said the old man. My Indian
away this nOOn and m lame you These
fool oxen seem to know that can't manage them
alone I'd had powerful hard time if you boys
hadn't come to my help Thank We heap. Like
not ye1l be here in the morning. and mebbe l
kin git We to help me yoke up. The oxen pow
for two months, and they're feelin their oats. Be-
sides. as said, they know I'm alone. Reckon they
won't be so frisky by the time they git to Fort
Ch Il: %bsre ;e Fort ch;c.ao, .s..d p.,s.~
Its way up on the lakes. answered the old
man. L can't tell We where it is zactly. except
that it's in Illinois and on the lake. l low it'll
take me two months to git thar with this load,
Lord only knows when Ill git thar! I'm hauin'
this load O goods fer the Astor Fur Company: so
it's all right if git thar by winter. have the
goods thar in time fer the trappers.
We invited the old man to eat supper with us,
and he was delighted with our fare. He had nothing
to eat but boiled beans and salt pork and he said
he tired of it that he dreaded the approach
of meal time. His appetite nothing like mine,
or he would have welcomed meal time though he
had nothing but beans
Next morning helped neghbor yoke up,
and when we were about to leave him, he said
~ thank We, boys, fer hepin' l hain't got
piece o money to my name or Id pay We.
I'VE wouldn't think of taking a cent said Bal.
ser; but if you have no money how will you man.