El Nuevo mexicano., 1918-01-24
Service 5ulIetin.)

kLanu service buiIetln.)
Could the counters of the various
district land offices become articulate
what tales they could tell AS to the
clerks working over these counters,
they could tell some too; if they had
time.
When the doors open at 9 frequent
ly comes in the hurried individual
be is in a rush-must be waited on at
once-others give way to him, a little
more speed is put on-he is attended
to. Does he rush out? He does not.
He fingers half a day.
Then comes the one, he is
full of trouble, case needs immediate
and careful attention. As one starts
looking up the case, first one and
then another of his agitated state
ments fall through. Nothing Is the
matter with his entry. Then comes
the last admissions: 'GIe thought
maybe he was going to be contested"
yes, he was on his land and had
been, but he just got to worrying"
About this time comes the young
lady asking for the laws for school
teachers. The impression Is current
that school teachers and preachers do
not have to comply with the laws the
same as the more ordinary run of
mortals.
There are all kinds Of ladies'; most
~ very staid and calm. The reason
is not far to seek, they have implicit
faith that nothing can happen to a
widow woman once she puts her
faith, in Uncle Sam.
One'lady stands out in my recollec.
ton as different" She came in all
dolled up; was one Of my cases, SO IN
time was turned owe to me. She WIS
required to furnish a corroborated at
fidavit. This would involve some ex-
penditure of time and money on her
part, and here she was, ure that II
the full radiance of her charms we're
turned on a mere man. the require
ment would be waived. Then to be
turned over to q woman--it was an.
noying. I told her carefully as to the
reasons which made this affidavit alb.
solutely necessary. appeals would not
help, 1t must be done, and within 30
days. Her eyes rolled around the Of
flee, and she asked to talk to one OF
the men. l did not call the officials,
n of them had slipped her to me.
They were inclined to press the soft
pedal anyway. We had a Scot with ns.
sour as they make them, and a won.
an-hater. especially OF the clinging
vine type, parasites" he called them.
| went over to him and whispered
Mac, a lady wants you at the cohn-
ter, ! think she wants to make a hit
with you He snorted and would not
go. "You must go" l said. "She has
asked for you, and she will get you "
you don't watch out, too" He went,
and as she started to talk, under his
CLASSY stare she slowly CONCEALED.
When he finally turned and left with
out having spoken a word, she took
her complexion and brave finery
away. In due course she sent in the
affidavit, my mail.
About this time may come in the
prospective settler from Pittsburgh
or some other seaport. He has heard
Of the west, its opportunities and
openings. He comes, leans on the
counter, surveys the room about as
the Israelites looked towards the
promised land. Then he says: 81 am
an American citizen l have a right
to 100 acres Of land: ! have come 10
get 1t. Where is it?" In vain all cir
culars on the subject r piled on
him. In vain he is told he will have
to pick his 100 acres out Of the 200,-
100000 still on tap. He is convinced
we are holding out on him, that some
where under the counter, or back OF
the doors we have fine tracts with q
shady building spot, running watar
and tho hay to cut. Finally be leaves,
convinced that there is something tho
matter with the land office.
Then come the "wailers,' who com.
plain that the United States govera-