The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-26
by Ii. NJ. Bower.
Copyright. 1912, by Little, Brown
& Co.
Continued from Our Last Issue. J
CHAPTER Nv.

| m6nJeu fnOeDe hart, Wnen Sne
handed Baumberger his cup of
coffee. "The way the dogs bark
ed all night---didn't they keep
you awake?"
"Never slept better in my life, Z"
drawled Baumberger.
"Oh, Aunt Phoe-be!" Evadna
rushed into the room. Aunt
Phoebe, there's a man down at
the farther end of the strawberry
patch! He's got a gun, Aunt
Phoebe, and he's camped there.
and when he heard me he jumped
up and pointed the gun straight
at me-"
Tramp" suggested Baumber-
ger. "Sick the dogs on him."
Good Indian pulled his glance
from Evadna, and tried to bere
through the beefy mack which
was Baumberger's face.
Who ever heard of a tramp
camped in our orchard?' flOuted
Phoebe.
He's got a row of stakes run
ming clear across the strawberry
patch" Evadna recalled sudden
ly. Just like they do for a new
street or a railroad, or something.
And"
Peaceful Hart eyed his wife
questionaingly, let his glance
flicker over the faces of his sons,
and Strengthened his shoulders
unconsciously. Good Indian was
at the door. Wally and Jack were
sliding their chairs back from
the table preparing to follow him.
Il guess it amt anything
much" Peaceful opined optimis-
tically. Go ask him what he
wants, down there" The last
sentence was but feeble sort OF
fiction that his boys would await
his commands; as a matter of
fact, they were outside before he
spoke.
Until they heard footsteps re-
turning at run, the four stayed
where they were. At the first
clatter of running footsteps on
the porch, Phoebe and Peaceful
pushed back their chairs instinct
lively.
The runner was Denny, and
every freckle stood out distinctly
upon his face.
There's four of 'em, papa"
he shouted, all in one breath.
They're jumpin' the ranch for
placer claims. They said SO.
Each ones got claim, and
they're campin' on the corners,
so they'll be close together.
They're goin' to wash gold"
They can't do nothing-the
ranch belongs to me-" Peaceful
said, his eyes turning rather
helplessly to Baumberger. I've
got my patent"
Jumping our ranch!-for
placer claims." Phoebe stood up.
And we've lived here ever since
Clark was a baby!"
Now, now; let's not get ex-
cited over this" soothed Baum
berger getting out of his chair
slowly.
You're a lawyer, Mr.. Baum
berger" Peaceful turned to him,
still helpless in his manner.
whats the best thing to be
done?"
"Don't-get- Baum
berger nodded his head for every
word. Wen go down there and
see just how much there is to
this, and-order 'em off. No
violence-no threats-just tell
'em firmly and quietly to leave"
He stuffed his pipe carefully.
The two women followed the
men outside.
'If the boys don't stir up a
lot of antagonism," Baumberger
kept urging Peaceful and Phoebe,
as they hurried into the garden,
"the matter ought to be settled
without much trouble. You can
get an injunction, and"
tits always easy enough to
be calm over the other fellows
trouble" said Phoebe sharply, ir-
ritated in an indefinable way by
the oily optimism of the other.
They skirted the double row of
grapevines. The boys were
grouped bellingerently in the
strawberry patch, just outside a
line of new stakes. Beyond that
line stood a man facing them
with a .45-.70 balanced in the
h low Of his arm. In the back
ground stood three other men, at
intervals of ten rods or so, and
they also had rifles conspicuous
ly displayed.
The man just over the line was
listening while Good Indian
spoke; the voice of Good Indian
was even and quiet, but that par
ticular claim-jumper was fidgat-
ing uncomfortably while he lis
tened, and his breath was begin
ming to come jerkily.
Now, roll your blankets and
git" Good Indian finished sharp
ly, and with the toe of his boot
kicked the nearest stake clear of
the loose soil.
Now, now, we don't want any
overt acts OF violence here"
wheezed Baumberger, laying
hand upon Good Indians should
er from behind. Good Indian
shook off the touch.
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