The Arizona copper camp., 1919-04-05

that ne wanted a reliable witness of
the rent troubles which were growing
acute in Schoharie, Delaware and Co
lumbia counties.
1t was a trial to go so far from
home, as Aunt Deel put it, but both my
aunt and uncle agreed that it was "for
the best"
How it wrung my heart, when Mr..
Purvis and got into the stage at Can
ton, to see my aunt and uncle standing
by the front wheel looking up at me.
How old and lonely and forlorn they
looked! Aunt Deel had her purse in
her hand. remember how she took a
dollar out of it-I suppose it was the
only dollar she had-and looked at it
a moment and then handed it up to
me.
you better take it," she said. 'sIm
fraid you won't have enough"
How her hand and lips trembledi !
nave always kept that dollar.
Ic0uldn't see them as we drove away.
The judge received me kindly and
gave Purvis a job in his garden. I
was able to take his dictation in sound
hand and spent most of my time in
taking down contracts and correspond
ence and drafting them into proper
form, which / had the knack of doing
rather neatly. was impressed by the
immensity of certain towns in the
neighborhood, and there were some
temptations in my way. Many people,
and especially the prominent men, in
dulged in ardent spirits.
We had near us there little section
of the old world which was trying, in
half-hearted fashion, to maintain it
self in the midst of democracy. 1t
was the manorial life of the PATRONS
"a relic of ancient feudalism which
had its beginning in 1929, when the.
West Indies company issued its char
ter of privileges and exemptions. That
charter offered to any member of the
company who should, within four
years, bring fifty adults to the New
Netherlands and establish them along
the Hudson, liberal grant of land, to
be called manor, of which the owner
or PATRON should be full proprietor
and chief magistrate. The settlers
We're to be exempt from taxation for
ten years, but under bond to stay in
one place and develop it. In the be-
ginning the patroon built houses and
barns and furnished cattle, seed and
tools. The tenants for themselves and
their heirs agreed to pay him a fixed
rent forever in stock and produce and,
further to grind at the owners mill
and neither to hunt nor fish.
Judge Westbrook, in whose office I
worked, was counsel and collector for
the PATRONS, notably for the manors
of Livingston and Van Rensselaer,
two little kingdoms in the heart OF the
great republic.
Mr.. Louis Latour of Jefferson coun-
ty whom 1 had met in the company of
Mr.. Dunkelberg, came during my last
year there to study law in the office of
the judge, privilege for which he was
indebted to the influence of Senator
Wright, / understood. He was a gay
Lothario, always boasting of his love
affairs, and / had little to do with him.
One day in May near the end of my
two years in Cobleskill Judge West
brook gave me two writs to serve on
settlers in the neighborhood of Bald
win Heights for nonpayment of rent.
He told me what I knew, that there
was bitter feeling against the PATRONS
in that vicinity and that I might en-
counter opposition to the service Of
the writs. If so was not to press the
matter, but bring them back and he
would give them to the sheriff.
81 do not insist on your taking this
task upon you," he added. ST want a
man of tact to go and talk with these
people and get their point Of view. II
you don't care to undertake it I'll send
another man."
81 think would enjoy the task,'' /
said in ignorance Of that hornets nest
back in the hills.
stake Purvis with you," he said.
''He can take care of the horses, and
as those back-country folk are a little
lawless it will be just as well to have
witness with you. They tell me that
PurviS is man Of nerve and vigor."
had drafted my letters for the day
and was about to close my desk and
start on my journey when Louis La
tour came in and announced that he
had brought the writs from the Judge
and was going with me.
81 wouldn't miss it for a thousand
dollars" he remarked. 'By Joye!
think we'll have bully time''
ST don't object to your going but
you must remember that I am in COM
mand," 1 said, little taken BACK, for