Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-02-25
(Copyrlght. by Shortstory Pub. Coz
BY G. b. DUNHAM

SIS way slowly along the road which
follows the windings OF the North
Platte river-that tickle and irrespon-
sible stream, now high, now low, cut
ting new channels, undermining groves
and sanding meadows.
The water was high and rising. The
read only a few feet above its level
was sloppy and slippery from recent
rain.
The road became heavier, and the
man looked about vainly for some shell
tered spot where he might camp. On
his right hand the river flowed darkly;
to the left the valley, even as floor,
and scarcely above the river level, ex-
tended for mile TO high and broken
cliff. The only break within the pros
pect was a distant clump of three or
four great cottonwoods beside the
s-ream and muttering that he would
spend the night in a tree-top to get on
the sodden earth, the man headed
toward them.
The drizzle had now become a sharp
sleet which fell noisily, and was rap.
idly changing the tone of the land.
scape from dull green to CLASSY white
when he drew rein at the cottonwoods.
The trees stood upon a slight rise
of ground, and the man, now pulling
up the hat-brim which had sheltered
his face from the sharp sleet, saw, to
his surprise, that he had halted be-
tween two cabins built beneath their
shade. The little earth-roofed build
ings Of one room each stood face to
face at a distance of some 40 feet.
Twins" said the traveller.
The door Of one cabin opened wide
and a man in a buckskin shirt sur,
veyed the newcomer, closing the door
with a bang when the traveller sprang
from his horse.
Hello" shouted the horseman,
hammering on the door; you are d.
hospitable."
You bet" said voice behind him |;
come right in. A rough day. Looks
like Uncle Billy left the cover off the
ice box, don't it?" And In the door of
the other cabin stood, apparently. the
same man, inviting him to enter and
be at home.
Twins" calculated the astonished
traveller.
Put your horse in the stable and
come in repeated the settler. Il got
rheumatic and don't like to get wet
las for that. don't like to get wet
the man replied, going around the
house.
After caring for his stock, the trav
eler came into the cabin.
Il don't like to get wet" he said
II hate 1t as bad as cat. But I've
been wet for three days. I'm chasing
the Dolan outfit of surveyors. Have
you seen them?"
Nobody takes the valley road in the
spring" replied his host; you ought
to know enough to keep on the mesa
In this weather"
Il shall next time" said the traveller
Who is your crusty neighbor in the
other cabin, that shut the door in my
face?"
I've got no neighbors," said he
The other house belongs to me-"
But somebody shut that door OF
me-" insisted the newcomer.
you were turned around" suggest
ed the settler; the door of this ont
blew shut just as you rode up"
The traveller seemed, at first. in
clined to contest the point, but let /
drop and assisted his host to negotiat,
an ample supper OF beans, hot brea,
and coffee.
When the tobacco smoke in the III
tie room became dense enough I,
drive the dog into the open air tn
men grew confidential.
If you are surveyor" said the SET
tier, who gave his name as 10 Byrnes
Il want you to run line for me.
am trying TO hold down two govern
mert claims. This one is my pre
emption, where the other cabin stand
is my homestead The line is some
where between the two cabins. hay
got good pocket compass, and hav
run 1t out for myself so times Som,
times make it run close TO this doc,
and sometimes further north. but
don't know where 1t really is. | b,
lieve there is iron in those hills; no,
many degrees do you allow for iron
If knew exactly where the line is.
would move my house onto 1t an
place my bed across the line. so ths
could sleep with my head on m
homestead and my feet on my DR.
emption. 1t keeps me alfred bus
TO live in two cabins al cnce. 7 COO
iry meals in both houses and see
every ni2ht in both beds. /; Is wa
ing me out | haven't much none
but I'll give you ten dollars to locat
that line for me SO can swcar 20 II
The young surveyor was gla
enough to accept the proffered bunk
one OF the cabins. and retired ma
yelling at the idiosyncrasy OF the ma
who would be to such pains 10 be
the government" out OF q strip
river-washed land. 1T must be mo-
than half under water now, he +
focted; and If the rise continues
couple OF days more the whole vail,
will be flooded"