The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1911-05-19

probably thought the real owner wae
"squatter," one of those shiftless.
ignominious tramps of the wilderness,
despised by all 'homesteaders" as we'll
as by Sandy Smith
DICK came, and with a cold muzzls.
tried to explain that he was surprised
at his own sleeplessness. and was In
sym pathy with his masters And.
from the dog Sandy took comfort.
You old rascal" he said, pattinR
the head which had been laid trust.
ingly beside his, you're worth dozen,
Understands, an you don't suffer an
much as lots OF men. Your game
amt been an easy one. either, what
with losin' your leg. Jest go to sleep
and thank the Lord that you got your
tail left. There's a heap O. satisfao-
ton In bein' able to wag along"
When her men reported at the cabirs
door In the morning, they found n
open. the morning meal out OF tho
way. and Sandy busiiy making up q
pack. Again he glowered at them and
took satisfaction from the appearance
! OF the bandaged ones He clumpeA
into the cabin and took down the
moldering pack-straps from their peg.
drew them tightly around his canvas
covered blankets in which were
wrapped his bacon. beans, -four ana
tea; he added the frying pan. coffee
pot and axe to the outer lashings.
Then he swung the pack to his back
and settled his shoulders into the
arm-straps He picked up the rife at
his feet, and stood In the cabin door.
"Missus Burrows" he said his
voice husky with emotion, you kim
have this cabin and all that's In II.
It's on your land. you know, because
I amt nothin' but a squatter. Hope
you like the place"
Before she could reply. he was gone
out to where her men squatted on u
log.
Damn you!" he snarled as he stood
before them Don't think I'm leayin,
because there's four of you. I'm goins
on of out into the west somewhere
where there amt no stakes. to take q.
new claim. An unless It's a woman
who jumps it, there amt enough men
In the Olympics to take the new claim
away frum me-"
The thrusting of Dicks nose into
his unoccupied hand aroused other
thoughts He turned back to the open
door wherein stood the woman
I'D be much obliged if you'd take
good care of Duck fur me-" he saids
because he CANT travel much had
III. - # . h.
way up here, an I've got a long ways
to go-maybe the trail won't never
end Be good to him He's good
fellow, even II he amt got but three
legs"
Then with final seowl at the men.
he swung out and into the darkness or
the woods, while behind him. Grip
pied dog threw his head into the air
and howled mournfully. It was the
farewell of desolation.
Weeks OF weary quest passed over
Sandys tired head. Go as he would,
there was no spot open to him. no
place which could be considered de-
sirable, that welcomed him as claim
ant, and no niche wherein he might
with security rebuild his home Time
and again he had faced starvation.
and always hardship and fatigue had
been his only companions. Ii was
useless. He had decided, with weary
heart, TO make his way out OF tht8
country where everything worth hav-
ing had been taken, so to Seattle.
and turn his face to the far north
His route led him near the old homo
lie hungered for a sight Of Dick and
for the companonship OF his great
sympathetic eyes and earessing nose
The trees took on a familiar look az
he neared his old border-llne. and he
thought bitterly of his relinquishment
Of all that life had held for him there.
Ne came suddenly on a new clearing
and new cabin, and stopped in
amaze0ent
A sunny-faced woman stepped to
he open door, and A dog sprang past
Ter awkwardly, making his way with
'nouthings of welcome to Sandy's side.
The man knelt on the ground ana
took the big. kindly beasts head In
his hands. and held Il against his
face. Here at last was a friend.
What did you do 1t for?" Mrs.
Burrows asked THE locators came
he day after you left and said that
there had been mistake. and that
my claim was the one adjoining yours.
They said that you clearly owned thu
one which YOU lived on: and then
heard all about the fight. We tried to
find you, but you had gone. no one
knew where After they had buils
this for me, took care OF your place.
100. because both Dick and knew YOU
would come back some time. WHY
did you ever give 1t up? Go back TO
L. L. ..o,,r, and NO haNa all hnen