Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-05-30


love among the spruce trees, a sum-
mer idyl made tender by the dangers
interrupting IL, and hidden from all
eyes except Old Cy's, who was these
young friends favorite.
But these days Of mingled romance
and tragic happenings. OF shooting.
fishing, storytelling and wildwood life
were nearing their end, and one even
ing Martin announced that on the
morrow they would pack their belong
ings and, escorted by the officers,
leave the wilderness.
The next morning Old Cy took Ray
aside.
I want a good square talk with ye,
my boy be said, AN I'm goin' to do
We good turn II kin. Now to begin.
l s'pose ye know yer aunt's goin' TO
take Chip to Greenvale n gin her a
chance at the schoolin' she sartinly
needs. Now you're callatin' TO 20 long
n have heap o. fun this winter.
I'm goin' to stay here n keer for
AMI. This is the situation bout IS
It Is. Now you hev got yer dedication.
n the next move is to make yer way
In the world n arm suthin', an ez a
starter, l want ye to stay here this
winter with me n trap. The woods
round here is list bristlin' with spruce
gum that is worth a dollar-ffty a
pound, easy. We've got two months
now, fore snow gifts deep. We kin
live on the top shelf in the way O. fish
n game. Wen ketch a bar and
pickle his meat n smoke his hams,
and when spring comes, I'll take We
out with mebbe five hundred dollars
worth OF furs n gum Ell beginnin'.
Thar's also mother side to consider.
Chip wants schoolin. n she's Eot 70
study night n day fer the next eight
months. IL you go back with 'em. an
go gallivantin' round with her. ez
you're sure 10, il 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 I 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
trappiu. such as Ray had. ever had
more Elluriug prospect spread before
them. He knew Old Cy was right in
all his conclusions. and almost with
out hesitation he agreed 20 the plan.
II was far-sighted wisdom on old
Cy's part, however. in not giving RAY
time 90 reflect. else the magnet oil
Chips eyes on the one hand. and eight
months OF separation on the other.
would have proved too strong. and
trap-sotting and gum-gatherlng. with
$500 as reward, would have failed.
AS IL was. he came near weakening
az the last moment when the canoes
were packed and Angie and Chip came
20 take their seats in them.
He and his crude. rude. vet win
some little sweetheart had suffered a
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 az
Tins Place and contact with Old
Tomah had taught her reserve. and
yet when she turned for the last posi-
bio look az Old Cy and Ray. waving
good-by at the landing. a mist OF tears
hid them.
Old Cy's face was also a study. To
him these parting clouds were as the
white ones hiding the sun; yet he felt
their chill. His own life shadow was
lengthening. lie had now but a brief
renewal OF youth in the lives OF these
two. and then forgetfulness. as he
knew fun well. and yet he pitied them.
More than that. he had set his hand
10 guiding the bark OF their young
lives into the safe harbor OF a home.
and all feelings OF his own subserved
TO that 4
Come, come my boy" he said 10
Ray as the two turned away. and he
noted the lads sad face. she's gone
now, an ye'd best forget her fer a
spell Ye won't. / know. m she won't:
but ye'd best make believe We do. This
amt no spot FER love-sick spells.
We've got work 20 do. n money to
arm; we've got the chance O. yer life
now, an me 10 help We 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 were goin' 20 set.
an the fun o tendin EN-. Why. girls
amt in II a minnit with ketchin' mink.
marten. otter. an now n then a lynx
or bobcat Then when We 20 back
with a new suit n money in yer
pocket, yen feel prouder'n a peacock.
n Chip a-smilin' at ye sweeter'n new
maple syrup"
Verify Old Cy had the wisdom OF
age and the cheerfulness OF morning
sunshine
All that day these wiiderness-ma-
rooned friends worked hard. An am
pie stock OF birch wood must be cut
ard split. a shed OF poles TO cover IL
must be erected alongside Of the cabin.
the hermit's log hut was 10 be divest-
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
In use must be stored at once to guard
against a night call from the malig-