The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-28
''YoU, NEEDN'T TOUCH YOUR BANK Ao-
 

''YOE NEEDN'T TOUCH YOUR BANK Ao-
 COUNT"
 I will write a friend in Grand Rapids today to select you the very best and send them at once"
 FreckleS' eyes were shining.
 "Never owned book in my life!'' he said. Even me schoolbooks were never mine. Lord. how I used to wish I could have just one of them for me very own. Won't it be fun to see me sawbird and me little yellow fellowsiooking at me from the pages of book and their real names and all about, them printed alongside?"
 1'n have Dunran get you ten bushel store box the next time he goes to town." said Mclean. You can put in your spare time filling it with the specimens you pick up until the books come. and then you can study out what you have. I suspect you could find a lot of stuff that l could sell for you. I'li order you butterfly net and box and show you how sci entists pin specimens. But l don't want to hear of your killing any birds. They are protected by heavy fines"
 Mclean rode away and left Freckles staring aghast Then he saw the point and grinned sheepishly. Standing on the trail. he twirled the feather and thought the morning over
 "Wel!. if life ain't getting to be worth living!" he said wonderingly Biggest streak of luck I ever had Bout time something was coming my way, but I wouldn't ever thought any body could strike such prospects through just falling feather"
 On Duncan's return from his next trip to town there was a store box loaded on the back of his wagon. He drove to the west entrance of tht swamp. set the box on stump tha Ffeckles had selected in a beautiful and sheltered place and made it secul on it's foundation with a tree at i' back. 4...
 "It seems most a pity to nail in that tree.' said Duncan. 'l hadna t time to examine into the grain of but it looks as if it might be ra une. Anyhow. the naiin winna hu it deep. and havin' the ease by it " make 1t safer if it is d guid ane."
 "Isn't 1t an oak?" asked Freckles
 "Aye," said Duncan. Ut looks like might be ane of thae fine grain golden anes that mak' such grand fl aiture."
 When the body of the case was ure Duncan made door out of i'd and fastened it on with hinges. l -lrove a staple. screwed on latch al gave Freckles a small paddock. so tn he might safely fasten in his treasure He made a shelf in the top for t hooks and last of all covered the 'ca with oilcloth.
 It was the first time in Freckles' Ii hat any one had ever done that mu' for his pleasure. and it warmed h heart with pure joy.
 MT. Duncan" he said. "I don know why you are being so nigh good to me. but if you have any jo! up at the cabin that could do for 70 or Mrs. Duncan hours off the line would make me mighty happy"
 "Freckles." said Duncan as he begal gathering up his tools. "I canna SC that it will hurt ye to be told that y are doin' every day thing tha pieases the boss as much as anythin' ye could do. Ye're bein' uncommo faithful. lad. and honest as old Fathe- Tioe. Mclean is trustin' ye as F would his own flesh and blood"
 "Oh. Duncan" cried the boy. "Ar you sure?''
 "Why. I know" answered Duncar T wadna venture 70 say else. those first days he cautioned me to tell ye that, but now be wadr care. Dye ken. Ereckles. that somf of the sing:a trees, ye are guardin' ars worth a theusand dollars:''
 Freckies looked limp. and his eyes popped
 'Ye see." said Duncan. "thHts wh: they maun be watched so closely Tn other night down at camp some SOL Of Baalam was suggestin' that ye migi be sellin' the boss out 10 Jack and lei tin him tax the trees secretly and no body wad ever ken till the gang get here"
 A wave of scarlet flooded Frecklee face. and he blaZed hotly at the insult
 "And the boss" continued Duncar ignoring Freckles' anger. "he lays bac' just as cool as cowcumbers aEi say> 'I'li give; q thousand dollars tn ali man that will show me a fresh stun when we reach the Limberlost,' say he Some of the men just snappe' him up that they'd find some. So 70 see how the boss is trustin' ye. lad"
 "I am gladder than l can ever e press" said Freckles. And now wi l be walking double time to keep so!b of them from cutting a tree to get a that money"
 "Mither O Moses" howled Duncar "Ye can trust the Scotch to bunGl things a'thegither. Mclean was onl, meanin' to show ye all confidence am honor. He's gone and set a high pric' for some dirty whelp to ruin ye. war just tryin' to show ye how be fei' towars ye. and I've gone and give ys that worry to bear"
 'I am mighty proud of what you have been telling me. Duncan" said 4 Freckles. 'l need the warning sure 4 la