Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-01-23
cHAPTER X-continued.

CHAPTER N-continued.
"Thar's also mother side to consider.
Chip wants schoolin', n she's got to
study night n day fer the next eight
months. II you go back with EN-, an
go gallivantin' round with her. ez
you're sure to, II 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 ye
say?"
Few country boys with a love for
trappin. such as Ray had, ever had q
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.
II 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
months Of separation on the other.
would have proved too strong, and
trap-setting and gum.gathering. with
$500 as reward, would have failed.
AS II 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 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 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. He had now but brief
renewal Of youth in the lives Of these
two. and then forgetfuIness. 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 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
now, an ye'd best forget her fer a
spell. Ye won't. know. m she won't;
but ye'd best make believe ye do. This
amt no spot fer loye-sick 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 II, so brace
up m look cheerful.
Think o. what we got 10 do 70 git
ready fer winter n six foot o. snow.
Think o. the traps we're goin' to set.
an the fun o. tendin' EN-. Why, girls
amt in II minnit with ketehin mink,
marten. otter. an Eow n then a lynx
or bobcat. Then when We go back
with a new suit n money In yer
pocket, ven feel prouder'n q peacock.
n Chip a-smilin' at ye sweetern new
maple syrup"
Verify Old Cy had the wisdom OF
age and the cheerfulness of morning
sunshine.
All that day these wilderness.ma.
rooned friends worked hard. An am.
pie stock OF birch wood must be cut
and split. shed Of poles 10 cover II
must be erected alongside Of the cabin.
the hermit's log hut was TO be divest.
cd OF its fittings. which were to be re-
moved 70 the new cabin which all were
now 10 occupy.
Realizing how vital TO their exist
euce the canoes were. Old Cy had also
plaAned q shelter OF small logs for
them on one side OF the log cabin. that
could be locked. Here the canoes not
In use must b. stored az once to guard
against = night cali from the mailg-
nant hAll.breed. His canoe had been
taken along by Martins party. to be
left at Tins Place. for even Horscy
1ould have scorned to appropriate II.
Thara were dozona OF other needp 20
prepare for during tho next two
mouths. all at which were important.
An ample supply Of deer meat must be
secured. to b picked and smoked
All the paFtadrna Their could shoot