Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-11-06
The Squatter
~
b. GILES NEWcoMBE

i
/ Copyright, 1919. by the Western News
paper Union.)
Something of a lawyer, a good deal
Of natural born salesman, Vance
| Driscoll listened with favor to the
/ proposition of real estate SpecuIatOr
to undertake the development of a 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
a 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 squatter's nest 1t might be as well
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 a few years ago, nobody
ever disturbed him, and he imagines
that he has full rights to the prop
erty. We would be willing to give him
a few hundred dollars to vacate peace
ably"
The tract was all prairie sod, except
at the south end. Here was a spot
fenced in and covered with trees and
bushes surrounding a we'll built cot
tage It was a fair oasis in the midst
of desert of waste and monOtony. AS
Driscoll passed a little rustic summer
house aligning one corner of it's front
age head of white hair was pro-
truded.
Looking for something or some
body?" inquired old Daniel Muir, keen
Iy surveying the suspected intruder.
"Why, yes" replied Driscoll casually,
II am interested in the new subdivi-
sion here"
Instantly the old man f1ared up. He
reached. behind him and brought an
old-fashioned musket into view. $50
you're one of that crowd, eh?" he burst
out. eco 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 Drisco1l.
"Who says it? Don't you come
smoking 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 way!"
and instantly there glided to his side
young girl SO dazzlingly lovely that
Vance Driscoll stood spellbound.
Come, DEAR" she continued, soothing
ly. IT am sure the gentleman means
nothing by coming here except in pur-
suance of his business"
you'll excuse me, then,' spoke DAN
lei Muir, calming down. "Verda and
l 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
squatter than you are"
''It 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 Driscoll.
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 1t,
! 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-
| coll. "Tell you, allow me to copy the
body of this deed. 1t may lead to
| something of vast Importance to your
interests" The old man hesitated, but
| his daughter whispered in his ear: II
am sure you can trust the young man,
| father" and Mr.. Muir nodded assent.
ingly.
IT have a remarkable announcement
to make to YOU" Driscoll told the sub
| divider the next day, after going over
| the county records. Daniel Muir is in
| deed a squatter, but he has valid
! deed for a whole quarter section Of
| land just over the line. He simply 10
| Gated on the wrong tract. would
advise that you make a fair deal with
him for his present holdings. The prop
erty he really owns is worth small
! fortune.
Daniel Muir was allowed to retain
| his original location and awarded S1O,-
600 for his quarter section. The vari-
Gus negotiations necessitated good
| many interviews of father and daugh-
| for nv DriSc0ll