The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-02-15
CHAPTER VII.
AN ArorL mArrmALrzrs.

E.D HERE had Freckles ever found
MI and bow had he transplanted
H such ferns? AS Mclean turned
u from them he stopped sudden
ly. He had reached the door OF the
cathedral That which Freckles had
attempted would have been patent to
any one. What had been In the heart
OF the shy. silent boy when he had
found that long. dim stretch OF forest.
decorated its entrance. cleared and
smoothed its aisle and carpeted Its al
tart What veriest work OF God was in
these mighty living pillars and the
arched dome OF green! How like stain.
ed cathedral windows were the long
openings between the trees. filled With
riffs OF blue. rays OF gold and the shift
ing emerald OF leaves! Where could
be found mosaics 10 match this aisle
paved with living color and glowing
lights? Was Freckles a devout Chris
tian and did be worship here? Or was
ne an untaught heather and down this
vista OF enhancing lovellness did Pan
come piping and dryads. nymphs and
fairies dance for him7
Who can fathom the heart OF n boy7
Mclean had been thinking OF Freckles
as creature OF answering honesty,
courage and falthfuIness. Here was
evidence or a heart aching for beauty.
art. companlonship. worship. IL was
writ large all over the door. walls and
furnishing OF that little Limberlost
clearing.
When Duncan came Mclean told MIN
the story OF the tight. and they laughed
until they cried. Then they started
around the line In search of the tree.
Said Duncan. "Now the boy is In for
sore trouble
Il hope not" answered Mclean.
you never In all your life saw eur
whipped so completely He won't
come back for the repetition OF the |
chorus. We can surely hnd the tree |
II we can't Freckles can. will bring |
enough OF the gang TO take IL out at
once That will insure peace for a
time at least, and | am hoping that ia
month more the whole gang can be
moved here. IL will soon be fail, and
then. II be will go. | intend 10 send
Freckles to my mother to be educated.
With his quickness of mind and body
ana a few years good help he can do
anything Why, Duncan. I'd give
hundred dollar bill II you could have
been here and seen for yourself"
Locating the tree was an easy task
because II was so well Identified.
When the rumble OF the lumber wag-
L.. 80
the swamp Weakened Freckles next
morning he sprans up aud was soon
following them. The tree was a giant
maple aud 40 precious that they al
most dug IL out by the roots.
Mclean had told Freckles TO ride on {
a section or the maple with him. but
now the boy begged 10 20 into the I
swamp with Duncan.
II don't see why you want to 60" {
said Mclean. Il have no business TO {
let you out today at all"
ITS me chickens. SIR answered I
Freckies. {
Freckes hurried into the swamp 0
He was some little distance behind. {
but he could still see the men. Before |
he overlook them they had turned 1
from the west road and had entered =.
the swamp toward the east. The I'M
derbrush was almost impenetrable. As
they plunged Into II great black bird !
swept over their heads.
Freckles danced wildly. "lts me
chickens! Oh. it's me chickens" he :
shouted "Oh. Duncan come quick! :
You've found the nest OF me precious "
chickens
Duncan hurried down TO the mouth
OF monstrous log. but Freckles was "a
before him. He crashed through poi :
son vines and underbrush regardless y
of any danger and climbed on the ),
stump. When Duncan got there be :,
was shouting like a wild thing. -
ITS hatched: be yelled "oh. me
big chicken has hatched out me little >,
chicken. and there's another egg. r.
can see It plain, and. oh. the funny :,
little white baby. Duncan. can you =
see me little white cbickenE" .,
Duncan could easily see II. and so a.
could every one else Freckles ten :,
derby carried the kissing. blinking lit :,
tie thing out 10 the light in leaf lined ~
hat The men found it sufficiently q,
wonderful TO satisfy even Freckles. .,
who had forgotten be was ever sore .,
or stiff. and coddled over it with ey- .,
cry blarneying term Of endearment be ii