The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-03-20


TO HOMESTEAD
pocket. Connecting this with the lock.
he drove it into the very holes from
which he had removed the other sta
pie.
IN hour went by. His mother re-
turned with her purchases and began
to make preparations for dinner. Jeff
left his work on the cane and started
fire and brought water. Then he re-
turned TO the cart. Soon after he saw
humber OF men coming through the
woods. As they came nearer he saw
that his father was in their midst But
instead of leading he seemed to be led,
and the men about him were talking
excitcdly.
''Waal. sonny, here we air." said one
of them who had visited him before.
I'VE uns have come to gin We one mo-
chance to be hosDiterble an we have
an argymint this time
BE quiet. jim; / will manage this
thing" and tall, broad shouldered
man stepped from the group. The
fact is, youngster." he continued, adj
dressing jeff "your father is suspected
of selling whisky contrary to law, and
am here with search warrant. If
he is innocent the search viii be a
mere matter of form; if not-weH, it
will be bad JOB for your father"
"But he amt inherent" cried the
man called Enl THAT box is damned
plumb full o whisky. I've seed hit.
I'VE viii soon fnd out" said the
sheriff. Then, turning to Tom, he add
ed sternly: Give me the key. 1t will
save breaking the box"
Tom produced it with trembling fin
gers.
Now, boy, jump down. We will not
require Your help
But there's only rattlers an kero-
sene III the box
Never mind. Wen see for our
selves.
AS the sheriff raised the lid of the
box several Of the men crowded for
ward eagerly. jeff saw his father
glance around hastily. as though med
itating escape. But whatever his in
exclamation from the sheriff.
"Rattlesnakes." and the box cover
came down with bang. The men
locked at each other blankly.
But there must be whiskyw insisted
Bill, who had stood a little in the
background. eve seen bit, an I've
tasted hit"
Bill approached cautiously and raised
the lid few inches, but he closed it
quickly. At the same time he gave
a sniff of disgust. Rattlesnakes an
lie. Not a breath O whisky, an the
ole contrapshun smells as though it
d been soaked In carysene for twenty
year. Fit beats me. sheriff. If the
Vaughn don't show whisky l give up"
But nothing could be found. At last
the sheriff approached Tom. There
is more in this than | understand" he
said abruptly, ''and I have an idea
that you are as much surprised as
the rest of us. Your looks show it.
After we go away you would better
ask that boy OF yours to make an ex-
plantation
Tom did not answer. But after the
sheriff had departed with his men a
light came into his face. Turning to
JEFF. he said, "Waal?"
For answer the boy led him back
into the woods to a pile of broken
kegs and bottles. A strong odor of
whisky filed the air.
Tom regarded the pile for some time
in silence. Hits the last O. the still. y
he said at length. This here's been
too close a shave to take any mo-
chances. I'll drop hit fo' good"
After dinner preparations were made
to depart As Jef climbed into the
cart and took the reins he looked at
his father interrogatively.
s'Back to whar yo' nav wanted to
homestead. Well build a cabin, an
then FL go up t Gainesville an enter
the claim. Hits cheaper to earn BY
work than by dedgin' roun' the law