The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-10-14

i tOlu lhCil SlOuAuS.
No proof could be found against
Croffers save that he was idle and
absolute. He had entered a good
homestead claim three years before,
but had done little to improve it. "A
rough cabin in the center of a clearing
of several acres, few struggling
orange trees and dozen or SO ragged
bananas represented the whole Of his
three years work.
But the country had filled up rapidly
during the last few years, and the
homestead was already becoming val
liable. There were many who would
be only too glad to Jump" it. Croft
fers' title could not be perfected for
two years yet, and should he remain
away, as he had been ordered, the
land would revert to the government
and be open to the public. ..s.a.-a
Yesterday Mr. Window would not
have cared. The man, he thought, de-
served nothing, but now it seemed to
him that the pitiful little figure on the
seat by his side ought to have some
interest in his fathers homestead. And
perhaps they had been little hard on
CrOfferS. There was no proof.
DO you know my paw" asked the
boy. who was beginning to feel his
companions silence rather prolonged.
"Iwell. yes, do recollect him, now
We mention his name. Ye see, he had
particular duty over in Marion county
last week-lookin' after some cattle
business, b'lieve. l reckon he flowed
we uns would take care of We till he
got back"
The boys face heightened visibly.
'When mougbt he get back, and what
am to do?'' he asked.
We'll, / reckon he's lots to look
after, and mebbe it'll be a month
mebbe several-before he gets round.
1 can give We plenty of work drivin'
mules until he comes"
But him and me was to be pardners
and make an orange grove. low
must look after the place while he's
gone"
"Ye'I be scared way out there alone,
ye're such a little fellow. Better stay
with me-"
The boy drew himself up slightly.
"The poorhouse folks lowed Bob
Croffers never got scared" he said
slowly 81 were made to stay alone
I'm the cotton field nights and watch
the crop"
eff We can do that yen save your
daddy's ranch mebbe." Then, in an
swer to the boys questioning look, Mr..
Window told him about the homestead
laws and the residence and improve
Inent necessary to perfect the title.
"Likely your paw ii be back after it
blows Over-after he's done his bust
ness, / mean," he concluded.
II low I must go tomorrow sure"
was Bob's only answer.
Accordingly the next morning after
breakfast Mr. Window sent one Of his
boys to guide the Crofers boy to his
fathers deserted homestead. A drove
Of half wild razor backed hogs were
found disposing of the few vegetables
left in the garden patch, while several
cows were making free with the ten
der twigs of the orange trees.
After driving these beyond the bro
ker fence the boys made an examina-
ton of the place. An ordinary OBJ
server would have been dismayed but
to Bob, fresh from the hardships and
blows of the poorhouse, it was full OF
delightful promise. The stunted orange
trees assumed beautiful proportions;
the bananas were examined wonder
ingly; even the broken fence and poor
cabin felt the touch of his caressing,
loving fingers. They were all his. He
was one of the "pardnersw Even the
glory Of his captain grandfather began
to fade in the superior glory to be.
Young Window returned home, and
Bob was left to himself. Although
three miles from the nearest neighbor,
no thought of fear entered his head.
He was too full of his new possessions.
A few sweet potatoes and other pro-
visions found in the cabin would last
for several days, and when they were
gone he had S. in money to fall
back on. His father had sent 1t
for him to buy clothes with, but such
CXDouulLuIG Scclucu WdSLC1ul, dAu AC
had hidden the money away on his
person instead.
It was not long before the Croffers
homestead began to be regarded curl
ously by such as CHANGED to pass that
way. The broken fences, which had
become almost part Of the landscape
had given place to better ones all
around the clearing. Weeds, brush,
rubbish and the struggling branches
of the orange trees had disappeared.
The bananas were trimmed into shape.
The cabin door swung gravely on two
hinges instead of hanging tipsily to
one side. The brush along the road
side was cut away and sidewalk
attempted.
The neighbors kept a sort of won
dering oversight Of the place, and
when it became known that Mr.. Win
dom had plowed couple Of acres for
the boy and was to take his pay in
work they looked questioningly at