The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-09-18
Continued from page 81


lions are asked, then / think we shall
get on"
"You should remember began Os-
car.
Il remember nothing" observed
Armitage sharply, and Oscar was
quite humble again. Armitage opened
trunk and took out an envelope, from
which he drew several papers and a
small map, which he unfolded and
spread on the table. He marked q
spot with his lead pencil and passed
the map to Oscar.
do you think you could find that
placer"
The man breathed hard over 1t for
several minutes.
"Yes. 1t would be easy" And he
nodded his head several times as he
named the railroad stations nearest
the point indicated by Armitage. The
place was in one Of the mountainous
counties Of Virginia, fifteen miles from
an east and west railway line. Armi-
tage opened duly recorded deed
which conveyed to himself the title to
1000 acres Of land; also a curiously
complicated abstract Of title showing
the successive transfers of ownership
from colonial days down through the
years of Virglnia's splendor to the
dread time when battle shook the
world. The title had passed from the
receiver Of defunct shooting club to
Armitage, who had been charmed by
the description of the property as set
forth in an advertisement and lured,
moreover, by the amazingly small
price at which the preserve was Of
fered.
ut is farm-yes?"
1T Is wilderness, I fancy" said
Armitage. 81 have never seen 1t. !
may never see it, for that matter. But
you will find your way there, going
first to this town, Lamar, studying the
seeing what the Improvements on the
ground amount to- There's some sort
Of a bungalow there, built by the
shooting club. Here's a description Of
the place, on the strength of which I
bought 1t. You may take these papers
along to judge the size Of the SWIM
de-"
Eyes, sir"
"And a couple Of good horses, plenty
Of commissary stores-plain military
necessities, you UNDERSTANDABLE some
bedding should be provided. want
you to take full charge of this matter
and get to work as quickly as possible.
1t may be tride lonesome down there
among the hills, but IL you serve me
well you shall not regret it."
Eyes, am quite satisfied with the
job" said Oscar.
"And after you have reached the
place and settled yourself you will tell
the postmaster and telegraph operator
who you are and where you may be
found, SO that messages may reach you
promptly. If you get an unsigned mes
sage advising you Of-let me consider
"a shipment of steers, you may expect
me any hour. On the other hand, you
may not see me at all. Well consider
that our agreement lasts until the first
snow flies next winter You are a SOL
der. There need be no further discus
sion Of this matter, Oscar"
The man nodded gravely.
"And 1t is we'll for you not to reap
pear in this hotel. If you should be
questioned on leaving here
81 have not been here-is it not|
'It is" replied Armitage, smiling.
"You read and write English?"
Eyes; one must to serve in the army
eff you should see big Servian with
a neck like bull and head the size
Of pea, who speaks very bad Ger
man, you will do well to keep out of
his way unless you find good place
to tie him up. l advise you not to COM
nit murder without special orders. Do
you underestimate
'It Is the custom of the country"
assented Oscar in a tone of deep regret.
ITO be sure" laughed Armitage,
"and now 1 am going to give you mon
ey enough to carry out the project
have Indicated"
He took from his trunk a long bill
hook, counted out twenty new one
hundred dollar bills and threw them on
the table.
"It is much money" observed Oscar,
counting the bills laboriously.
at will be enough for your purposes.
You can't spend much money up there
If you try. Bacon perhaps eggs; a cow
may be necessary-who can tell with
out trying it? Don't write me any let
tiers or kilograms and forget that you
have seen me If you don't hear from
me again"
He went to the elevator and rode
down to the office with Oscar and dis
missed him carelessly. Then John Ar
mitage bought an armful of magazines
and newspapers and returned to his
room quite like any traveller taking the
comfort of his inn.