Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-04-01

ZION and on TO Orlando and Kissim-
nee. They went slowly and made
frequent pauses Occasionally Tom
had visitors whom he regarded with
suspicion. Several times he had bro
ken camp In the middle Of the night
and hurried away with all possible
speed.
1t was late in December when they
entered the wilderness that lies be-
tween Eissimmee and Charlotte Har-
bor. 1t was a region new TO Tom,
and as each day disclosed fresh beau
ties he grew more and more enthu-
siastic in its praises.
One day they were surprised by the
visit OF horSeman, who said he came
from right smart back yOnder" He
proved talkative and In answer 10
Toms inquiry said that very little OF
the land had been entered and that
one could have his pick of homesteads.
After he left Mrs. Norton looked anx-
iously at her husband.
Hits be mighty nice place to set
tle," she at last ventured.
Purity fair" he admitted looking
around appreciatively. but | low |
amt jest ready for that yit ! must
look roun' mo There's said to he
'mazin' good land down Charlotte
Harbor way" Then. seeing the hope
less look creep back to her eyes. he
added, not unkindly: "Ye mustn't he
frettin', Nance. | figger on maxim
jest a little mo-. an then Wen settle
down for sure an certing. We can
come back here any time If there's no
better land to be foun' | low on
stoppin' to Barlow. an then Wen
push on straight for the HaTbor."
Another day was spent in hunting
and then they resumed their journey
Late one afternoon they reached the
outskirts of Barlow and as usual
| made camp in the woods half a mile
or so from town. While JEFF and his
mother prepared supper Tom went to
look rOun'" AS soon as breakfast
was over the next morning he again
departed Soon after Mrs Norton
went to buy groceries. JEFF remained
to gather iirewood. AS he was re
turning to camp with an armful of
pine knots he saw two large rattle
snakes almost in his path At first
he thought it strange that they had
given no warning. but n little invest-
cation showed that both were dead.
probably killed by some sportsman the
day before
hn ho1
wood he went to the cart to get
palmetto cane he had been at work
upon at odd moments. There was no
induCement to hunt near the town.
and he had decided to spend the day
in camp working on his cane. While
he was stin searching for 1t he was
accOsted by rough voice:
'IIowdy. thar, sonny! Come out an
show yourself. Whar's the boss?"
Looking around. he saw several men
watching him from the back end Of
the cart He did not like their looks
| and answered briefly:
"Pap's not here. He's in town"
"Waal, hit don't matter You'll do
jest as we'll" and the speaker came
round to the forward end of the cart,
followed by his companions.
1--WE uns seen your paw in town an
lowed he'd be here fore this We're
| arter suthin' to drink an reckon you
can sarve u.s." and as he spoke he took
a handful Of small coins from his peck
ct and began to Jingle them.
"There's the water bucket" said Jeff
quietly. You can hep yourse'fs."
The man laughed derisively. That's
all right, sonny; but We needn't be
feared of we uns. We amt takers
Jest hand out the pizen. an We'll be
trottin' back. Here's yo' money"
"There's no drink here for you 'cep'n
what's in the bucket You can take
hit or leave hit" and ref resumed his
search for the missing cane.
The men muttered angrily among
themselves.
See here. sonny" said one Of them
menacingly I'VE amt come for fun.
We low there's whisky in that box un-
der the seat, an we are pintedly for
tastin' hit Fact is. Bill here was in
Kissimmee a spell back an had a peep
in that box. an he lows yo' paw has
fine layout. SO ye mout as well be
spreadin' hit for we uns."
jeff made no answer
"Bust the box" suggested one of the
men,
mo, no." objected another. 1--WE
amt got 'thority for that If we all
'spects to make money outen this thing
we must keep in the law. ! reckon
hit'll be best" Then followed whis-
pered conversation in which JEFF
caught the words sheriff." 'thority,"
"sarch warrant" 'back fore he
knows hit"
Then a head was thrust into the
back Of the cart. Say, bub, s'poSen
ye give we uns peep in that box|
Cant do hit. Pap has the key.
Sides. he lowed hit was for rattlers
an sich an If was too pintedly
Gurus he'd wrap a hickory roam me.
You uns mout's well be gittin'."
"Waal, then. far'well. sonny. Meb-
be yen be more hospiterble when we
calls ag'in an axes for a peep at yo'
rattlers."
JEFF listened until the sounds of their
footsteps had died away in the brush
Then he crawled quickly from the
cart. In one hand he held the missing
cane; the other grasped hammer and
cold chisel. Assuring himself that no
one was in sight. he made a hurried
examination of the fastenings of the
box. 1t was firm and strong.
Have to break the lock staple" he
muttered to himself. Most likely