The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-06
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obvious reasons; and already he knew them all by
name. But this keeper of his; and he
walked straight up to him, bidding him rather
sharp good-morning, which suleny returned
Then Burleson told him pleasantly he could
that the land preserved that he could tolerate
armed trespassng and that the keepers charged
to enforce the laws.
1t is better" he said to have a clear under
standing at think the law governing private
property is clearly set forth the signs along my
boundary. This preserve is posted and patroled
I have done all I could to guarantee public rights;
/ have not made any application to have the public
road closed, and perfectly willing to keep 1t open
for public convenience But it not right for any,
body to carry gun these preserves and if it
nues shall surely apply for permission to close the
road"
." I guess you think you'll do lot O. things OBJ
served the man, stoidly.
" think l will, returned Burleson, refusing to
take offence at the insolence.
The tossed his gun to his shoulder and slouched
towards the boundary. .Burleson watched him in
silence until the fellow reached the Melted fence,
then he called out
q There is a turnstile to the left"
But the native deliberately drew Ratchet from
his belt, opened the wire netting with heavy
slash, and crawled through. Then wheeling in his
tracks outside, he cursed Burleson and shook his
gun at him. and finally slouched off towards Fox
Crossroads leaving the master OF the forest tre
white and quiverng under the cutting curb of self
control
Presently his spasmodic grip on the ridng-crop
reaxed he looked about him with long, quiet breath,
flicked burr from his ding-breeches and walked
on, head lowered and jaw set. His horse followed
A mile beyond he met keeper demoshing dead
fall along the creek and he summoned him with
good humored greeting
% Rofe, we're headed for trouble but it must not
come-do you hear !? won't have it if it be
avoided-and it must be avoided. These poor devils
that Grier hemmed In and warned off with his shot
gun patrol looking for that sort of thing
from me. Petty annoyance shall not drive me into
violence; I've made it plain to every keeper, every
forester, every who takes wages from If
I can stand nsolence from people 1 sorry for,
my employees and must. Who that
man met below here !? :"
"Abe Storm, SIR
What was he bodybuilding deadfalls' -
Seven, sir He had three muskrats mink, and
string of steel traps when l caught him
Rolfe, you go to Abe Storm and tell him 1 give
him leave take muskrat and mink along Spirit
Creek and that III allow him quarter bounty on
every unmarked pet, and he may keep the pelts too
The keeper looked blankly at the master: % Why
why, Mr. Bureson, he's the drtiest meanest market
hunter in the lot :"
You do as say, RoIfe,' said the master, amably.
Yes, sir-but-"
Did you deliver my note to the fire-warden I? f"
Yes, sir The old mans abed with miseries. He
said he'd send his deputy at noon"
Burleson laid his gloved hand his horses saddle
looking sharply at the keeper.
They tell me that Mr.. Elliott has seen better
fortune, Rolfe.''
Yes sir When the Crossroads went to pot
he went too He owned piece o. land that was no
good only for the timber He's like the rest o. them
/ guess : only he had more to lose-an he lost it
same as all o. them"
Burleson drew his watch, glanced at it. and then
mounted
"Trv to make friend of Abe Storm he said:
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