Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-03-28

BY
Gene SGr@GG@m=
Porter
COPYRIGHT, 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PAGE
& co.
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PAGE
81 CO..
were Gods first temples

VI ShC o"ou1p hS pIlutCu 10IIS ludI
grew waist high this early in the sea-
son. and so skillfully had the work
been done that not a frond dropped
because of the change. Opposite he
cleared a space and made q 1owerbed.
Every day saw the addition of new
specimens.
On the line side he left the bushes
thick for concealment and entered by
a narrow path be and Duncan had
cleared in setting up the case. He
called this the front door. though he
used every %precaution to hide it. He
built rustic seats between several of
the trees. leveled the floor and thickly
carpeted it with rank. heavy woolly dog
moss. About the case he planted wild
clematis, bittersweet and wild grape
vines and trained them over it until
1t was almost covered.
This morning Freckles walked
straight to his case. unlocked it and
set his apparatus and dinner inside.
He took out the birdbook. turned to
the section headed ~" Past "veery"
and "vireo" be went. on down the line
until his finger, trembling with eager
ness. stopped at culture"
"'Great black California vulture,'"
he read.
"Humph! This side the Rockies will
do for u.s."
"'Common turkey blzzard.'"
well we amt hunting common tur-
keys. Mclean said chickens, and
what he says goes"
"'Black vulture of the SOUTH"
Here we are arrived at once"
Freckles' finger followed the line.
and he read scraps aloud.
"'Common in the south. Sometimes
called Jim Crow. Nearest equivalent
to C-a-t-h-a r-t-e-s A-t-r-a.t.a.'"
49, the Pharaoh's chickens Of Euro
pean species. Sometimes stray north
as far as Virginia and Kentucky'"-
And sometimes farther interpO-
lated Freckles, 'cos l got them right
here in Indiana so like these pictures l
can just see me big chicken bobbing
up to get his ears boxed. Hey"
Light blue eggs'"-
"Golly. l got to be seeing them"
90 big as a common turkeys, but
shaped like a hens, heavily splotched
with chocolate - 81
"Caramels. l suppose. And"-
= in hollow logs or stumps.'"
"Oh. hagginy: Wasn't l barking up
the wrong tree though? Ought to been
looking near the ground all this time.
Now it's all to do over. and l suspect
the sooner l start the one III be
likely to find them"
Freckles ate and drank his last drop
OF water. He sat resting u little and
watching the sky to see if his big
chicken was hanging up there. But
he came to the earth abruptly, for
there were steps coming down the
trail that were neither McLean's nor
Duncan's. and there never had been
others. Freckles' heart leaped holly.
He ran a quick hand over his belt to
feel it his revolver and Ratchet were
there, caught up his cudgel and laid
it across his knees. then sat quietly
waiting. Was it Black Jack. or some
one ever worse! Forced to do some
thing to brace his nerves. he puckered
his stiffening lips and began whistling
a tune he had led in his clear tenor
every year OF his life at the home
Christmas exercises.
His quick Irish wit reused to the
righteousness of it and he burst into
a laugh that steadied him amazingly.
Through the bushes he caught a
glimpse Of the oncoming figure. His
heart flooded with joy. for it was a
man from the gang. Wessner had
been his bunk mate the night he came
down the corduroy. This was no tim
Der thief. Freckles sprang up and
called cheerily, a warm welcome on his
face.
well. it's good telling if you're glad
to see me-" said Wessner. I'VE been
hearing down at the camp you were
so mighty touchy you didn't allow a
man within a rod Of the line"
mo more do l." answered Freckles,
IF he's a stranger. but you're from
Mclean. amt you?"
"Oh, curse McLean!" said Wessner.
Freckles gripped the cudgel.
land are you rally saying sol" he
inquired with elaborate politeness.
Eyes, I am" said Wessner. $50
would every other man Of the gang If
they wasn't too big towards to say
anything unless maybe that other slob-
bering old Scotchman Duncan. Grind
ing the lives out Of us! Working us
like dogs and paying us starvation
wages. while he rolls up his millions
and lives like a prince"
Green lights began to play through
the gray Of Freckles' eyes.
"Wessner," he said impressively,
you'd make a fine pattern for the ia
Their Of liars! Every man on that
gang is strong and hilthy. paid all he
earns and treated with the courtesy Of
q gentleman. AS for the boss living
Hike a prince, he shares fare with you
every day Of your lives"
Wessner was not a born diplomat,
but he saw he was on the wrong tack,
and he tried another.
NFrocklaa old fnllowO no soid sif