Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-01-26
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Registration,


Al noon the following day the COM
missioners came out to the butte and
announced the conditions of the land
opening. All entrymen were to start
from the cOulce at a given signal to
be made at ten O'Clock IN the morning
Of the second day following. Any per-
son who started before the signal
would be disqualified.
A tent was set up for the commits
SlOnerS in the cOulee bottom, on the
reservation side OF the dWindled
stream, and the chairman and secre-
tary proceeded to take the signatures,
thumb prints and descriptions o. the
waiting colony of prospectors and cow
boys.
Since Hardy and Marie had first
come upon the camp, the number Of
men had twice doubled. Yet, owing
to the obscure manner in which the
proposed opening had been advertised,
there were absurdly few of them, an
told, compared to the multitudcs at
other governmental land openings. Per-
hapS with view toward covering this
discrepancy, the commissioners had or
dered full descriptions of every con-
teStant, and SO managed to cover many
sheets of paper and to consume much
time.
The recording was we'll under way
when Vandevyn and Dupont came
down to the camp. Neither made any
attempt to push into the line Of entry
men. But Dupont read the posted no.
tice Of the conditions Of the contest,
frOWned, and remarked to Vanderyyn
that he wished to show him something
over at the butte. The young man
looked bored, yet borrowed q pony, and
rode across with him to the deserted
camp.
"What is it," he asked. "Have you
found 4 mares nest that is matching
out horse good enough to outrun
triplets?'
Dupont shook his head. "D0n't you
let nobody hear that joke around here,
Mr.. Van. Them there prospectors and
punchers all lug guns, and they amt
the kind to stand for no funny BUSH
ness"
They'll have to stand for it, Is
hey don't understand it, punned
Vandervyn. ON this game three Of
kind beat all the jacks i'll the pack"
"You best keep your head shut, just
The same. Them punchers II ride the
hardest, and they're mighty sharp to
see the difference between horses"
Il told you I shall rush them off
their feet. They'll think me a fool,
and drop behind, to overhaul me later.
Now, if that's all you have to tell
me"
Tie wheeled his borrowed pony to
ride back.
Hold Oh I" replied Dupont, frOwning
uneasily. II want to talk over fixing
up about the way we share the mine"
Vandervyn lifted his eyebrows.
aren't you satisfied? Now that Red,
pear is-oUt of the way, there will be
none to question our sharing OF the
mine between us"
IT'S between us, all right sullenly
replied Dupont. ''Tain't in writing,
though. According to them conditions,
Il I don't registta today, i don't git
no right to enter nc claim. What's to
keep you from turning round and tell
ing me to whistle for my half, soon's
you sit title to the miner
"Why. Jake" exclaimed Vandervyn
In an aggrieved tone. 'HoW can you
think I could throw you down that
way? Even if we weren't friends, you
knew I want Marie
Dupont's eyes narrowed. and his jaw
set obstinateIy. "Thats all right; bu7
them that want to remain friends
want to remember that business is
BUSINESS
Vandervyn frowned, considered the
matter a few moments, smiled, and
drew a folded paper from an inner
pocket.
continued next week.