The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-08-16

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the house was in order and the ground
broken up and planted. A motherly
hen and brood of chickens laid the
foundation Of what promised to be.
come flourishing industry. Aud soon
they discovered tho cause Of Powell's
hostility.
1t was the neighbors who told them,
under pledges Of secrecy and with
every appearance Of fear. There was
q rich marble quarry on Powell's
land, and the Indications were that
the vein ran obliquely under their own
little farm. Powell had always taken
what he wanted. He wanted the little
farm adjoining. had meant to take
and work it that year when his crush
ing machinery was installed, but he
had believed that they would dare
forestall them, and they had moved in
Just before he took possession. He
could not put them out. but they
could not have put him out. They had
only the right Of prior possession. :,
Powell could. however, make life
almost impossible, and did. He In
augurated a boycott. and the village
tradesmen dared not serve Jim, who
was compelled to 80 to Evesham for
his supplies. On his return. loaded
down. he found two rough.looking men
at the door. Inside was Lucy, crying,
They tried to get me to come out"
she said. But knew that II once 7
left the house they would take pos
session. Jim, we are like prisoners"
It was true: they were prisoners.
Jim dared not leave his land. For,
night and day, man fingered upon
the highroad, just outside the cottage
door. ready to take possession for
Powell should the cottage be left
empty for single moment. Lucy had
to trudge to Evesham for provisions
twice a week, while John kept guard.
His capital was melting fast. The
small hoard. now reduced to little
more than hundred dollars, Jim kept
under loose board in the floor. The
potatoes were sprouting nicely, but
there would be no purchasers in
Clearwater. And, to crown all. Jim's
literary efforts only seemed to add to
the burdens of the postman.
Powell would pass the door a dozen
times a day, glum and scowling. He
did not know how near Jim was to
capitulation. But Jim and Lucy were
determined to fight to the last. They
calculated that they could provision
themselves until Christmas. But they
would be prisoners all through the
dreary summer and fall.
It was late in August when Powell
visited them. He was becoming anx-
ious; his crushing machinery had been
set up and he had had an offer from
ffxm in Boston for the property. To
close with this it was necessary to
obtain immediate possession Of the lit
tie farm; otherwise he could sell at
little more than half what he antfci-
pated. He appeared at the door one
afternoon, wearing sort Of sullen
smile.
How long are you two fools going
to hold out?" he asked. You'll have
to give up afore winter. Come, Ill
give you a couple Of hundred to quit. +"
Jim looked at Lucy and Lucy looked
at Jim. Both were utterly discouraged
and weary. Two hundred dollars
would take them back to Boston.
where Jim might obtain q position on
one of the papers that fall. But tho
sight of Powell aroused all their latent
fighting spirit.
why, I'm pretty comfortable, Mr..
Powell" said Jim. II wasn't thinking
of getting out at ALL"
Come. name your price," said Pow
ell. you can't live by hens. It's
been tried. Hens don't lay around
these parts. except in spring. Ill
make It three hundred"
"I'll co." said Jim, "for seven hum
dred and fifty dollars"
"Done!" shouted Powell with q We
hemence which amazed the house,
holders. He pulled out bullying
pocket-book, which he had brought
with him for the purpose, and peeled
off eight one-hundred dollar bills.
Got changer" he sneered.
Jim walked over to the loose board
and raised 1t, while Powell looked on.
snorting with amusement at this crude
banking apparatus. Jim, flushing I'M
der the others scorn. pulled the board
hard. 1t came out Of the floor. Under.
meath was his money and tiny tin
case. half hidden by a board adjacent.
Inside the case was legal document.
Jim took 1t to the light.
whats that?" shouted Powell, sus.
piciously.
1T looks" said Jim deliberately.
like the legal title to this property"
. Powell sprang for 1t, and Jim's
shoulder, neatly interposed. caught
him in the chest. Powell collapsed
backward and fell, rising with apo
plectic menaces and incoherent splutr
terings.
1.-THE legal owner of this place
seems to be one Timothy Brand" said
Jim. THAT sounds like your fathers
name, Lucy"
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