The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1919-12-11
The Squatter
49,
BY GILES wcoMBE
Copyright. 1919. by the Western New
paper Unton.)

/
| paper Union.)
Something of q lawyer, a good dea
of natural born salesman, Vance
Driscoll listened with favor to the
proposition Of a real estate Speculation
to undertake the development of new
city subdivision at the extreme edge
Of the built-up streets.
Driscoll started out to look over the
mile square area. He took with him
plat of the same and notation OF
legal descriptions of the property.
There's one thing, Driscoll," the
owner of the land told him, "up at the
far west end of the tract you'll find
a squatters nest. It might be as we'll
to sort of wake up old Daniel Muir
to the fact that our threats Of GUST
ing him are going to amount to some
thing. He's a character. He settled
on the strip few years ago, nobody
ever disturbed him, and he imagines
that he has full rights to the prop
erty. We wou;;! be willing to give him
a few hundred dollars to vacate peace
ably"
The tract was all prairie sod, except
ut the south end. Here was a spot
fenced in and covered with trees and
bushes surrounding well built cot
tage. 1t was fair oasis in the midst
Of a desert Of waste and mOnOtOny. AS
Driscoll passed a little rustic summer
house aligning one corner Of its 'front.'
age a head Of white hair was pro-
truded.
Looking for something or some
body?" inquired old Daniel Muir, keen
~ surveying the suspected intruder.
"Why, yes" replied Driscoll casually,
II am interested in the new ssubdivi-
sion here"
Instantly the old man flared up. He
reached behind him and brought an
old-fashioned musket into view. $50
you're one of that crowd, eh?" he burst
ont. "Go your way, then, and keep
your distance! This Is my property,
and anybody disturbs me in my rights
at their peril!"
"squatter's rights?' mildly insinu-
ated Driscoll.
"Who says It? Don't you come
shocking around here trying to scare
me or mine." and the movements Of
the weapon in the trembling hands be-
came positively menacing.
"Why, father. you must not become
excited and discourteous this wayl
and instantly there glided to his side
a young girl so dazzlingly lovely that
Vance Driscoll stood spellbound.
"Come, DEAR" she continued soothing
ly. II am sure the gentleman means
nothing by coming here except in pur.
suance Of his business"
you'll excuse me, them" spoke Dan
Tel Muir, calming down. "Verda and
have improved and beautified and
cherished this pretty spot year by
year. I've managed to make de-
cent living by raising and selling
plants and seeds, and I'm no more a
squatter than you are"
1T is a warm day. Won't you come
in and rest?" asked the daughter, and
she held open the gate and Driscoll,
won by her beauty and graciousness,
was glad to enter the cool, shaded
bower.
"You say you have deed to the
property" asked Driscol.
Eyes, I have. I never recorded it,
but I'm going to now. You act as If
you're looking for the truth, young
man, and I've no objection to show
ing it to YOU
The old man went to another part
of the house. BE patient and indul-
gent with my father" spoke his daugh-
ter to Driscoll. "This little home
means a great deal to u.s."
Driscoll scanned the yellow faded
sheet placed in his hand few min
utes later. A vivid token Of interest
came into his face as he perused it,
and then compared the property de-
scription it bore with the subdivision
records and map Of it's surrounding
tracts.
Something enlightening strikes you,
hey?" challenged Mr.. Muir keenly.
"Why, must say So" replied Dris- !
COIL. lei you, diION HE " COPy lAc
body of this deed. 1t may lead to /
of vast Importance to your
interests" The old man hesitated. but |
his daughter whispered in his ear: Il
am sure you can trust the young man.
father" and Mr.. Muir nodded assent
ingly.
II have a remarkable announcement |
10 make to you" Driscoll told the sub
tlivider the next day, after going over
the county records. Daniel Muir Is in
deed a squatter, but he has a, valid
deed for a whole quarter section of
land Just over the line. He simply To-
Gated on the, wrong tract. I would
ndvise that you make fair deal with
him for his present holdings. The prop
erty he really owns is worth a small
fortune. =
Daniel Muir was allowed to retain
his original location and awarded $1O.
BOO for his quarter section. The yari
ous negotiations necessitated good
many interviews Of father and daugh-
Tor nv DriScO1I