The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-11-25

aud no amount " search wonld reyea
their whereabouts Grove owners &C
rnsioDally found orange trees strippct
~ their fruit Even nursefymeu de
Jared that choice stock disappeared
from their grounds
No proof could be found against
.Croffers save that he was idle and
dissoluts He had entered good
homestead claim three years before
but had done little to improve H. A
rough cabIn IN the ceuter OF clearing
of several acres, few struggling
orange trees aud dozen or - ragged
bananas represented the whole Of bis
three years work
but the country had filed up rapidly
during the last few years. and the
homestead was already becoming val
liable. There we're many who would
be only loo glad 10 Jump" II. Crof.
fers' title could not be perfected for
two years yet. aud should be remain
away as he had been ordered. the
tAHu Woutu ttN'tt ~ tnt ktftthuFh'
and he open 10 the public.
Yesterday Mr. Window would not
have cared. The man. be thought. de-
served nothing. but now II 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 pawT asked the
boy, who was beginning to feel his
companions silence rather prolonged
well. yes. do recollect him. now
We mention his name. Ye see. he had
particular duty over I'm Marion county
last week lookin' after some cattle
business. b'lieve. reckon he lowed
we uns would take care OF We til he
got back
The boys face heightened vislbly.
when mought he get back, and what
am | TO doT' he asked
''W ell, ! reckon he's lots to look
after, and mebbe it'll be month
mebbe several before he gets round
can give We plenty Of work drivin'
mules until he comes"
But him aud me was to be pardners
and make an orange grove. low l
must look after the place while he's
gone"
"Ye'll 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. II were made TO stay alone
in the cotton field nights and watch
the crop"
III ye can do that yen save your
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 II
blows over-after he's done his bust
ness, mean" he concluded.
Il low must go tomorrow sure"
was Bob's only answer.
Accordingly the next morning after
breakfast Mr. Window sent one Of his
loys to guide the Croffers boy to his
'ather's deserted homestead. A drove
# half wild razor backed hogs were
'ound disposing Of the few vegetables
eft In the garden patch, while several
-ows were making free with the ten
Ter twigs OF the orange trees.
After driving these beyond the bro
Ter fence the boys made an examina-
ion Of the place, An ordinary OBJ
erver would have been dismayed. but
o Bob. fresh from the hardships and
lows Of the poorbouse, It was full Of
ellghtful promise. The stuDted orange
rees assumed beautiful proportions.
he bananas were examined wonder
ngly; even the broken fence and poor
abin felt the touch of his caressing.
owing fingers. They were all his. He
vas one Of the ''pardners" Even the
lory Of his captain grandfather began
0 fade In the superior glory to be.
Young Window returned home, and
Bob was left to himself. Although
hree miles from the nearest neighbor
10 thought Of fear entered his head
Ie was too full Of his new possessions.
| few sweet potatoes and other pro
isions found In the cabin would last
or several days, and when they were
one he had S. In money to fall
ack on. His father had sent Il
or him to buy clothes with, but such
Expenditure seemed wasteful, and he
ad hidden the money away on his
erson instead.
II was not long before the Croffers
omestead began to be regarded curl
usly by such as chanced to pass that
ray. The broken fences, which had
ecome almost part Of the landscape,
ad given place to better ones all
round the clearing. Weeds, brush
nbbish and the struggling branches
I the orange trees had disappeared
he bananas were trimmed into shape
he cabin door swung gravely on two
inges instead Of hanging tlpsIly to
ne side. The brush along the road
de was cut away and sidewalk
tempted
The neighbors kept sort Of won
ering oversight OF the place. and
hen II became known that Mr. Win
ON had plowed a couple Of acres for
le boy and was to take his pay In
ork they looked questfoningly at
ach other. Had they made a mis-.
lkei Surely the father OF such o
oy could not be wholly bad.
Meantime one neighbor gave Bob
,me seeds, another showed him how
J ridge up his sweet potatoes to the
sst advantage, another taught him
Dw TO put bud into an orange tree.
ater, when his peas and beans began
approach maturity. they frequently
opped and took his truck into town
ID sold II with theirs.
The winter had passed, and early
INNER was approaching. and still !
ere were no signs OF the elder crof. ,
rs. Mr.. Window told Bob that his
telpuos fgttaf bapa B..1p p1ora dtfN I 4.