Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-24

ana grlnned sheepAhly. Standing on
the trail. he twirisd the feather ana
thought the morning over.
"Well. II life amt getting 10 b
worth hvins!' No said wonderingly.
sBigxest streak Of luck I ever had!
Bout time something was coming my
way, but 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 Q store box
loaded on tho back Of bis wagon. He
drove to the west entrance Of the
swamp, set the box on stump that
Freckles had selected In beautiful
and sheltered place and made It secure
on its foundation with q tree at 10
back.
at seems most pity to nail into
that tree" said Duncan. II hadna the
time to examine into the grain of 1t.
but it looks 40 II It might be- q rare
ane. Anyhow. the nallln' Wilma hurt
It deep. and havin' the case by it win
make it safer If 1t 10 a guild ane."
@'lsn't It an oak?' asked Freckles.
AAye," said Duncan. sit looks like It
might be ane Of thae fine grained
golden anes that max such grand fur
hiture"
When the body Of the case was Sc
cure Duncan made 4 door out Of the
lid and fastened It on with hinges. He
drove staple. screwed on q latch and
gave Freckles q small paddock. so that
he might safely fasten in his treasures.
He made shelf In the top for the
books and last Of all covered the case
with oilcloth.
It was the first time in Freckles' life
that any one had ever done that much
for hts pleasure, and it warmed his
heart with pure joy.
'Mr. Duncan" he said. II don't
know why you are being 80 mighty
good to me. but II you have any Jobs
up at the cabin that I could do for you
or Mrs. Duncan hours OF the line It
would make me mighty happy"
"F'reckles." said Duncan as he began
gathering up his tools, Il Gamma see
that 1t will hurt ye to be told that ye
are dom every day a thing that
pleases the boss as much as anything
re could do. Ye're bein' uncommon
faithful, lad. and honest as old Father
Time. Mclean Is trustin' ye as he
would his own flesh and blood"
"Oh, Duncan!" cried the boy. "Are
you sure?"
"Why, I know" answered Duncan
II wadna. venture to say else. In
those first days he cautioned me ma
to tell ye that, but now he wadna
care. Dye ken, Freckles. that some
Of the single trees ye are guardin' are
worth q thousand dollars?'
Freckles looked limp, and his eyes
popped.
aye see." said Duncan. "thats why
they maun be watched so closely. The
other night down at camp some son
Of Baalam was suggestin' that ye might
be sellin' the boss out to Jack and let
tin him tax the trees secretly and mo-
body wad ever ken till the gang gets
here"
A wave Of scarlet flooded Freckles'
face. and he blazed ,hotly at the insult.
':And the boss" continued Duncan.
ignoring Freckles' anger. ''he lays back
Just as cool as cowcumbers and says,
III give, thousand. dollars to, any
man that will show me fresh stump
when we reach the Limberlost,' says
he. Some Of the men just snapped
him up that they'd find some. So you
see how the boss is trustin' ye. lad.'
II am gladder than can ever; ex:
press" said Freckles. "And now will
l be walking double time to keep some
Of them from cutting. tree to get all
that money"
"Mither o. Mosesw' howled Duncan.
Eye can trust the Scotch to bungle
things a'thegither. Mclean was only
meanin' to show ye all confidence and
honor. He's gone and set high price
for some dirty whelp to ruin sc. was
Just tryin' to show ye how he felt
toward ye. and I've gone and give ye
that worry to bear"
II am mighty proud Of what you
have been telling me. Duncan" said
Freckles. II need the warning sure.
for. with the books coming might be
dmpted 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 lower
camp and. calling Mclean aside. re-
peated the conversation verbatim.
"And, nae matter what happens now
or ever. dinna ye dare let anything
mike ye believe that Freckles hasna
guarded faithful AZ any man could"
II don't think anything could shake
my faith In the lad" said Mclean.
Frecklcs kept one eye reiigiously on
the line. The other he divided be-
tween the path. his friends Of the
wire and a search Of the sky for his
latest arrivals. Every day since their
coming he had seen them. either hang
ing like small black clouds above the
swamp. or bobbing over logs and trees
with their queer fitting walk. When
ser he could spare time he entered