Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-21

"Aye." said Duncan. 1T looks like
might be ane of thae fine graine
! golden anes that max such grand ful
| niture."
When the body Of the case was 81
cure Duncan made door out Of th
lid and fastened it on with hinges. n
drove a staple. screwed on q latch an
gave Freckles a small paddock, 50 tha
he might safely fasten In his treasure'
He made q shelf in the top for th
books and last Of all covered the cas-
with oilcloth.
It was the first time In Freckles' LII
that any one had ever done that muc
for his pleasure. and It warmed hi
heart with pure JOY.
"Mr. Duncan" he said. II don
know why you are being so might
good to me. but If you have any Job
up at the cabin that could do for 20
or Mrs. Duncan hours of the line
would make me mighty happy"
"Freckles." said Duncan as he begal
gathering up his tools. IT Gamma Sc
that 1t will hurt ye to be told that y
are doin every day q thing tina
pleases the boss as much as anything
We could do. Ye're bein' uncommon
faithful. lad. and honest as old Fathe
Time. Mclean is trustin' ye as b
would his own flesh and blood"
"Oh. Duncan" cried the boy. "Ar
you sure?"
"why. know" answered Duncan
II wadna venture to say else. Il
those first days he cautioned me nj
to tell ye that, but now he wadn'
care. Dye ken, Frcckies. That some
Of the single trees ye are suardin' are
worth q thousand dollars"
Freckles looked limp. and his eyes
popped.
"Ye see," said Duncan. "that's why
they maun be watched so closely. The
other night down ut camp some son
of Baalam was suggestin' that We might
be sellin' the boss out to JACK and let
tin him TAX the trees secretly and no
body wad ever ken till the gang gets
Sere."
A wave Of scarlet flooded Freckles
face, and he blazed hotly at the insult
"And the boss" continued Duncan
ignoring Freckles' anger. "he lays bach
lust as cool as cowcumbers and says
I'll give a thousand dollars to any
man that will show me q fresh stumI
when we reach the Limberlost,' sayf
he. Some of the men just snapped
him up that they'd find some. 80 yor
see how the boss is trustin' We. lad"
T am gladder than I can ever e1
press" said Freckles. "And now vii
/ be walking double time to keep some
of them from cutting tree to get al
that money"
"Mither O. Noses" howled Duncan
"Ye can trust the Scotch to bungl'
things a'thegither. Mclean was onl!
meanin' to show ye all confidence ant
honor. He's gone and set a high price
for some dirty whelp to ruin ye. wa
Just tryin' to show ye how he Eel
toward ye, and I've gone and give y
that worry to bear"
II am mighty proud Of what yo'
have been telling me. Duncan" salt
Freckles. II need the warning sure
for with the books coming might b.
timpted to neglect me work when dou
BILE watching Is needed"
Freckles picked up his club and start
ed down the line. whistling cheerily
Duncan went straight to the lowe
camp and. calling Mclean aside. re
peated the conversation verbatim
"And. nae matter what happens nov
or ever. dinna ye dare let anything
make ye believe that Freckles hasn'
guarded faithful as any man could"
IL don't think anything could shak'
my faith in the lad" said Mclean.
Freckles kept one eye religiously OF
the line. The other he divided be
tween the path. his friends OF tn
wire and seurch of the sky for hi
latest arrivals. Every day since thei
coming he had seen them, either hang
Ing like small black clouds above tn
swamp or bobbing over logs and tree
with their queer fitting walk. When
ever he could spare time he entered
the swamp and tried to make friend
with them. and they were the tames
Of all his unnumbered subjects. The.
ducked. lodged and ambled abou
him, over logs and bushes. and no
even q near approach would driv
them to flight.
For two weeks he had found then
circling over the Limberlost regularly
but one morning the female was miss
ing. and only the big black chickel
hung sentinel above the swamp. HI
mate did not reappear In the following
days, and Freckles grew very anxious
He spoke of It to Mrs. Duncan. AM
she quieted his fears by raising dc
lightful hope In their stead.
"Why. Freckles. II It's the hen Dir
We are missing It's ten to ane she
safe" she said. "She's laid and
setting. We silly. Watch him an
mark whaur he lichts. Then follo'
and find the nest. Some Sabbat
we'll all gang see it."
Accepting this theory. Freckles be
gan searching for the nest. but Us n
had no ldea where to look and Dunca
could offer no helpful suggestion tn
nest was no nearer being found.