Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-09-24


we uns would take care Of We till he
got back"
The boys face heightened visibly.
when mought he get back. and what
am to dof" he asked.
We'll, reckon he's lots to look
after. and mebbe it'll be a month
mebbe several-before he gets round,
| can give We plenty of work drivin'
mules until he comes"
But him and Inc was to be pardners
and make AL orange grove. l low l
must look after the place while he's
gone"
YEN be scared way out there alone,
ye,re such little fellow. Better stay
with me-"
The boy drew himself up slightly.
1.-THE poorhouse folks lowed Bob
Croffers never got scared" he said
slowly. 81 were made to stay alone
In the cotton field nights and watch
the crop"
IF We can do that ye'll 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
ment 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.
81 low l must 60 tomorrow sure
was Bob's only answer.
Accordingly the next morning after
breakfast Mr.. Window sent one of his
boys to guide the CrOffers boy to bis
fathers deserted homestead 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 "pardners" 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 ii
for him to buy clothes with, but such
expenditure seemed wasteful, and he
had hidden the money away on his
person instead.
1t was not long before the Croffers
homestead began to be regarded curl
ously by such as>chanced 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 tive
hinges instead Of hanging tipsily t.
one side. The brush along the road
side was cut away and a Sidewalk
attempted.
The neighbors kept sort of Won
dering oversight Of the place, and
when it became known that Mr.. Win
the boy and was to take his pay III
work they looked questioningly al
each other. Had they made a mis-
take? Surely the father of such
boy could not be wholly bad.
Meantime one neighbor gave Boil
some seeds, another showed him how
to ridge up his sweet potatoes to tn,
best advantage, another taught hin
how to put bud into an orange tree
Later, when his peas and beans beea,
to approach maturity, they frequent,
stopped and took his truck into towI
and sold it with theirs.
The winter had passed, and early
summer was approaching, and still
there were no signs of the elder Crof.
fers. Mr.. Window told Bob that his
business must have been more din
cult than he had expected. Likely he
would be back before long. Bob never
heard the full story from any one.
He had been at work for Mr. Win.
: dom for several weeks, grubbing pal
metto, and was to take his nav in
!. young orange trees. He had TO leave
nome very early and did not return
until after dark. Mrs Window usual.
~ forced on him a small basket Of
provisions or filled bis pockets with
+ oranges
one evening as he approached home
lie 1ancled he saw some one leaning
y against the fence. 1t was too dark to
see clearly, and for moment he stop
PED lrresolutely. Visions of thieves
ana robbers rose before him, but the
thought of home made him pull him
self together and walk quietly for
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