The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-03-04

Julius Fischer claimed. The woods are
full of moose and there are beaver and
otter. and that's where the trouble
came in
But Fischer had trouble from the
day he Went ulr to shoot 1T kalmackS
He had To run for it. 50 ! was told
Didn't youl father know that? Why
did Mr Petersham have anything to
do with the placer
'Oh. II was just one of pops no
lions. suppose" said Linda. with the
rather weary tolerance of the modern
daughter.
'rhey are dangerous lot round
there"
He knew that. They are squAtters
-trappers who have squatted among
those woods and hills for generations
Of course they think the country be
longs TO them. Pop knew that, and in
his opinion the compensation Julius
Fischer offered and gave them was in
adequate.
1T would be-" commented.
could without effort imagine Julius
Fischer's views on compensation, for
+ had met him in business
well. father went into the matter.
and he found that the squatters had a
good deal to be said for their side of
the case so that he did what he
thought was fair by them. He paid
them good high prices for their rights.
nr what they considered to be tllei,
rights. for in law. of course, they pos
sessed none. Every one seemed pleased
and satisfied. and we were looking for
ward to going there this spring for the
fishing when news came that one of ia
theirs game wardens had been shot Mt. y
'Shot at?''
Linda nodded the Greek head | ad
mired SO much.
"Yes. Last autumn father put on a
couple of wardens to look after the
game. and they have been there all
winter From their reports they have
got on quite well with the squatters
and now suddenly. for no reason that
they can guess. one Of them, William
Worke by name. has been fired upon IN
his camp"
"Killed?' l asked.
mo. but badly wounded He said he
was sure the bullet could have been
put into his heart Just as easily. but II
was sent through bis knee by way of q
notice to quit, he Thinks
Those folks up there must be hall
savages." 49,,
"They are. but that's not all. Three
days ago n letter came. meant for ia
ther. but addressed to me Whoever
wrote 1t must have seen father anG
knew that he was not the kind of mar
who could be readily frightened. sc
they thought they would get at hiu
through me. 1t was q horrible letter
The words were written upon Il shee1
torn from an old account book They
ran as follows:
You. Petersham. you mean skunk
Don't you come in our wods unIes yo
willing to pay five thousand dollars BriEt
the goods and you'll be told wher to put it
SO 1t will come into the hands of riters
Dollars aln't nothin to you, but they cal
keep an expanding bullet out yor hide.
do you think it is hoax?"
well. no. can't honestly say do
(which means. in plain language
that ii father does not pay up that IS.
600 be will be shot,
Not necessarily He need not go VI
to Kalmaeks this fall"
But Of course he will go. He's NOR,
set on going than ever. You know ia
ther when he's dealing with men AM
he persists in his opinion that the let
ter is probably only bluff"
considered for a little before
spoke. Linda. have you really sen
for me 10 try to persuade your fathe
that it would be wiser for him not t,
go to KaImacks?"
Linda's lip curled scornfully. SC
should not put it just like that! | cal
imagine fathers answer If yon did
I'm afraid it will be no good lettin,
you say anything you don't know how,
"You mean that have no t;lct?''
She smiled at me. and ! Instant,
forgive her "Well. perhaps do. bu
you know 1t is far better to be able t
give help than just to talk about II
Father is determined on going to Kal
niacks. and want you to come witt
U.S.
/ "us7" | cried.
Naturally. I'm going"
'Rut It is absurd! Your father woul,
never allow itr'
"He can't prevent it. dear James,
she said softly II don't for momen
suppose that even the Kalmacks peopl
would attack q woman And father
all that | have in the world I'm &C
ing"
''Then suppose shall have to &
too. But tell me what purpose doe
your father think he will serve by un
dcrtaking this very risky expedition
HE believes that the general feelin
| up ut kalmacks Is in his favor. an
the shooting of the warden as well a
the writing of this letter is the wor
of a small band of individuals VIII
wisi, to blackmail him. We will b
| quite strong party. and he hopes t
discover who Is threatening him 3
the way. didn't hear from Sir Ar
| drew McI.errick that you had been !
the woods all these last falls with
wonderful guide who could read trail
like Uncas, the last Of the Delaware:
or one OF those old trappers one read
Of in Fenimore Cooper's novels:"
That's true"
| what is his nameY
November Joe"
November joe" she repeated.
visualize him at once. A wintry lool
ing old man, with gray goatee an
| piercing eyes"