The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-26

NNes "Ah'N atA uiknt uluH An'l
Keep you awaken"
Never slcrt better In my life. ("
drawled naumberrer.
oh. Aunt phoc.be," Evadna
rushed into the room Aunt
Phoebe. there's man down al the
farther end OF the strawberry
patch He's got gun. Aunt
Phoebe. and he's camped there.
and when he heard me he jumped
mp and pointed the gun straight at
me-"
Tramp" suggested Baumberrer
Sick tho dogs on him"
Good Indian pulled his glance
from Eyadna. aud tried 10 bore
thru the beefy mask which was
baumhergcr'a face.
Who ever heard OF tramp
chmped In our orchard" flouted
Phoebe.
He's got row OF stakes run
ming clear across the strawberry
patch" Evadna recalled suddenly.
Just like they do for new street
or a railroad. or something. And
Peaceful Hart eyed his wife ques.
tionlngly. let his glance flicker over
the faces Of his sons. and straight.
ened his shoulders unconaciously.
Good Indian was at the door. wally
and Jack we're sliding their chairs
back from the table preparing to
follow him.
Il guess II Amt anything much 3"
Peaceful oplned optimistically. Go
ask him what he wants. down
there" Tho last sentence Was but
feeble sort OF fiction that his boys
would await hia commands. as a
matter OF fact, they were outside
before he spoke.
Until they heard footsteps re-
turning at run. tho four stayed
where they were At the first clat
ter OF running footsteps on the
porch. Phoebe and Peaceful pushed
back their chairs instlnctlveiy.
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
jumpln' the ranch for placer claims
They said 30. Each ones got n
claim. and they're campin' on the
corners. 30 they'll be close together.
They're gotta to wash gold"
They can't do nothlng-the
ranch belongs 10 me- Peaceful said.
his eyes turning rather helplcssly
TO Baumberrer. I've got ms
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 excited
over this" soothed BaumberEer,
getting out OF hts chair slowly.
You're n lawyer. Mr.. Baumber-
ger" Peaceful turned 10 him. stlll
helpless In his manner. what's
the best thing TO bc donef-
Don't ret--excitef." Baumbers
ger nodded hts head for every word.
Wen 20 down there and see just
how much there IL 10 this. and
order 'em oft No violence--no
threats--iust tell EN- firmly and
quietly 10 leave" He stuffed his
pipe carefully.
The two women followed the men
outside.
N tho boys don't stir up a 10,
OF antagonism." BaumberEer kept
urging Peaceful and Phoebe. as they
hurried into the garden. "the mat.
ter ought to be settled without
much trouble. You can get an In.
junction. and"
ITS always easy enough 10 be
calm over the other fellows trou-
ble." said Phoebe sharply. irritated
in an lndefinsble way by tho oily
optimism OF the other.
They Sklrted the double row OF
grapevines. The boys were grouped
beliigerently in the strawberry
patch. just outside line OF new
stakes. Beyond that line stood a
man facing them with a .45-.70 bal.
anced in the hollow Of his arm. In
tho background stood three other
men. at intervals of ten rods or 40.
and they also had rifles conspic.
uously displayed.
The man Just over the limo was
listening while Good Indian spoke:
the voice OF Good Indian was even
and quiet. bat that particular claim
jumper was ,idgeting uncomfortably
while he listened. and his breath
was beginning to come ierkily.
Now, roll your blankets and giti"
Good Indian finished sharply. 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 shoulder from
behind. Good Indian shook off the
touch.
you 20 TO tho devil" he advised
chillIngly.
tut, TUT Baumberer reproved
gently. Let's get at this e ing
sensibly and calmly. This In a
civil case. Don't foolishly make II
come under the criminal code. But
therel" His voice purred at them
again. You won't. You're all too
clear.headed and sensible"
Baumberger advanced boldly
across the dead line.
Stanley" Good Indians eyes
snapped as Baumberger uncon'
sclously called the strange man by
name. Put down that gun and
explain your presence here ard
your object" he rumbled.
The man across the line did not
put down his rifle, except that he
let tho butt OF II drop slightly
away from his shoulder. and his
voice was surls with defiance when
he spohe. Dit food Indian, re-
garGies him Euspiciously thru half
closed lids. would have sworn that
g look OF intelligence flashed be.
4 tween those two.
sfAff sA.v. a.. 40 L.