Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-11-28

his knees in the frosty dawn prayed
God to direct him right.
Samuel Baker was sworn In by Ben.
1amin Clymer as q deputy sheriff and
OF high sheriff. Clymer having notarial
powers n blank papers for the Dur.
pose attested by the high sheriff Of
northumberland county, who had Civ
en- them to h agent OF the Pennsyl-
day to go home and make arrange-
ments to enter on his new official
duties.
But 1t was little he could do but
stand IN view OF the thorn tree, watch
the path Of the forest fire to Mil creek
and wonde IL dispossession Of Bitter
sweets family would come before the
day set for their wedding. He knew
tina the loyal spirit Of Rittersweet
would spurn him for his cowardly
course; that h at the first opportun-
ther, her love turned to hate. and rend
him for his course. But he could SEQ
no other way out, n with his heart
q weight as II 1t would drop from his
body. he set out for a distant part Of
h country.
AS Sam and Clymer were preparing
TO leave the hotel, much to the surprise
OF the f~requenters /, Barton appeared
there. He drank little, but treated
everyone, cursing and calling down an
athemas on Clymer's head and that of
his hired deputy sheriff and traitor.
Barton said to Clymer, Il would az soon
shoot you as . dog. and I have q good
mind to as It 10 and that lecherous
spy or yours" pointing to Baker. Bar
ton was hustled from the hotel. but
the two.
'Tve q piece of important informa-
ton for you. Bittersweet,' said Amos
Barton. bounding into the house and
confronting his oldest sister. THAT
Iellow OF yours whom Il II understood
Ing. but not with my heip.o or consent.
ena whom I have always hated and
detested. has sold his birthright for 8
mes. Of pottage. This dog Of q Benz
amin Clymer . come hero ron
fniladelphia to beat ~ out OF house
this Judas. made him q deputy sheriff
70 execute the laws and ~dispossess 10.
among others, Of our rights with tie
understanding that the Bakers are to
% let lone" no h0wled with increas-
Ing Indignation.
You lie. Amos Barton, you lie!s said
Bittersweet. springing for his throat
like . panther. Samuel Baker hss
OF it,
Warding her of. Amos said: .w.,s
and see for yourself. He 10 Just what
l have always thought him to bA. 4
sneak. coward and traitor. / am siad
we found him out before he rot Into
our family.
Sam Baker deserted her, his friends
and neighbors to be an ally Of . rich
land company with tho avowed pur-
pose OF dispossessing all the setflera
who had worked 30 hard and suffered
90 to obtain what they had! But she
heard 1t from other n indisputable
sources and h grew hard land bitter
toward him.. She struggled with this
problem. crying herself to sleep. but
finally her great. pure love for him.
prusned aside his apparent t~reachery.
She tried to excuse him. He would
her. unless the agent had held out in
ducements which he could not help but
accept. But why. II he loved her -
ne ought. why did he undertake this
damnable work?
come! II only he would GO awayi
Suddenly h q upright and ceased
weeping. A thought had taken pos
session Of her. She stiffened ana
Strengthened like q wild beast ap-
preaching its quarry. and finally rose
her daily tasks silently. Next day she +,
overheard Amos a to his mother: Il
don't believe Mary cared much for
that young traitor. Sam Baker. Sho
made an awful fuss at flrst, but sho
OSSAAAO S0VOAAG1lC0 AOWe WHICH 8D 0xUG
Blttersweet wa prompt to resent; but
she kept her " counsel and smiled
knowingly and Sa~rcasttcally.
Fol the irst time since the settlers
had located in the vicinity Thankeg1v-
ing day came and went u~nobserved.. Il
had been U . day Of cheer and re-
joicing heretofore. The relatives had
gathered In OF the homes, and after.
song and praise to the giver OF every
good and perfect gift had sst down 70
Q feast OF Wild turkey. pheasant and
rabbit. cranberries ron the forest
and other GOOD things. recipes for
which had been brought from New
England by the settlers. Il wa. IN 20
this time. Q greeter day than any In
the year: but there was nothing TO
o laS,se. sor sns, II 1 Ssys o .bont tb ron na. any
ment then. A few c~onvivieis gathered
ct the inn and celebrated, but they
were doing that with frequency. i was
cold; there were @ few 1akee OF snow
falling.
This day was one Of unusual sorrow
and depression for the two principals
who expected It to be their browning
Joy Of happiness. Baker and Clyner
had come back to the settlement the
night before. to take up their work In
the immediate vicinity the day follow
ing. Clymer had asked Baker to come
down to the hotel In the evening that
they might plan the morrow's work.
Thanksgiving night there were m
unusual number OF fires lighting up the
country, indicating that more settlers,
unable to pay for the land twice. had
burned their improvements that they
might not fali into the hands Of the
greedy corporation.
It got dark early and Samuel Baker
started for the hotel. taking along his
gun. which he always had carried since.
There was q faint moon, but It was OBJ
scured by clouds. It was not 10 dark