Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-04-02
CHAPTER x-continued.

CHAPTER X-Continued.
"Thar's also mother side to consider.
Chip wants schoolin', m she's got to
study night n day fer the next eight
months. If you go back with EN-, an
Igo g%allivantin' round with her, ez
you're sure to, it won't be no help to
her. I've given you two all the
chances fer weavin' the threads O.
''fectshun / 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 We
say"
Few country boys with a love for
trappin, such as Ray had, eve had a
more alluring 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 f~ar-sighted wisdom on Old
LCy's part, however, in not giving Ray
time to reflect, else the magnet of
Chips eyes on the one hand. and eight
months of separation on the other
would have proved too strong, and
%trap-setting and gum-gathering, with
$500 as reward, would have failed.
y 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
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 a.
Tins Place and contact with Ole
Tomah had taught her reserve, ant
yet when she turned for the last posi-
BILE look at Old Cy and Ray, waving
good-by at the landing, a mist of tears
hid them.
Old Cy's face was also a study. Tt
him these parting clouds were us the
white ones hiding the sun; yet he fel
their chill. His own life shadow wal
frightening. He had nov but a brie
renewal of youth in the lives of thes'
two, and then forgetfulness, as HI
knew full well, and yet he pitied them
More than that, he had set his han'
to guiding the bark of their youni
lives into the safe harbor of a home
and all feelings of his own subserve'
to that.
Come, come, my boy" he said t.
Ray as the two turned away, and b
noted the lads sad face, shes gon
now, an ye'd best forget her fer
spell. Ye won't, | know, n she won't
but ye'd best make believe We do. Thi
amt no spot fer love-sick spells
We've got work to do, N money t
arm; we've got the chance o. yer lif
now, an me to help We to 1t, SO brac
up m look cheerful.
Think O. what we got to do to 81
ready fer winter n six foot O. snow
Think O. the traps we're goin' to Sc
an the fan O. tendin' EN-. Why, girl
amt in 1t a minnit with ketchin' mini
AuhElSu, OtlSl, OIL uOW II LhSA o. lyA
or bobcat. Then when We go bac
with a new suit m money in ye
pocket, yell feel prouder'n a peacocl
m Chip a-smilin' at We sw%eeter'n ne
maple syrup"
Verify Old Cy had the wisdom (
age and the cheerfulness Of mornin
sunshine.
All that day these wi~lderness-m
rooned friends worked hard. An an
pie stock of birch wood must be CT
and split, a. shed Of poles to cover
must be erected alongside of the cabi
the hermit's log hut al to be dives
ed Of its fittings, which were to be r
moved to the new cabin which all wei
now to occupy.
Realizing how vital to their exis
ence the canoes were, Old Cy had al!
planned q shelter Of small logs fl
them on one side of the log cabin, tn
could be locked. Here the canoes n
in use must be stored az once to gual
against a night call from the mali
nant half-breed. His canoe had BET
taken along by Martins party, to
left at Tins Place, for even Herst
would have scorned to appropriate
There were dozens Of other needs
prepare for during the next tv
months, all Of which were importar
An ample supply Of deer meat must
secured, to be picked and smoke
All the partridges they could sho
would be needed, and later, VIII,
south-bound ducks halted at the LAX
a few OF these would add to the
larder.
In this connection, also, anoth
need occurred to Old Cy. Trout cou
be caught all winter in the lake, b
live bait must be had, and so a 81
car to be sunk In some swift-runnii
stream, which would hold them, mu
be constructed, also a scoop of mf
quito net to catch them. These mi
nows were to be found now by t
million in every brook, and forethoug
was Old Cy's w~atchword.
fENWN NWF X -. VI LAEt 4..As xLY-L stl LaLs 4Lt = a