Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-04-19


Snow You Listen to Me-" He Said
sternIy"
to the quick, She kept the hut as
clean as broom and lake water could
make it,
Its our home. mister; all we got,
she replied. and she Strengthened her
shoulders with dignity.
Rotten. Just the same" repeated
Marcus. Say. youi Come and stand
here before me-"
He touched a spot on the floor with
his riding whip; and Polly stepped
upon IL.
"Now you listen to me-" he said
sternly. 1--WE come with proposition
to your father, and If you've any influ,
ence with him. you'd better talk him
into It," at
Polly's face frightened a little. Then
1t was not real harm coming to Daddy
Hopkins today She wished now that
he would come in: and, almost as If in
dichtI W tiC iINhDUlHk vi tlNf NERVES,
Hopkins passed through the doorway
with Wee Jerry clinging to his neck
The trembling girl saw his face grow
gray at the sight Of his powerful
enemy.
Jeremiah made an awkward bob OF
his head to Marcus. slipped Jerry into
hie arms ond u,ffha,,s a r..ord sas
down. And Pollyop, full Of curiosity
and anxiety, sat down too, her bril-
liant eyes steadily leveled upon Mac
Kenzie.
Hopkins began Marcus, "rve
come with a proposal to you II you've
got any sense, you'll impress its value
on the rest of your fellows here, for
by hook or by crook, intend to break
up this settlement and burn these
shacks."
One long gasp came from Polly. Her
father said nothing but looked back at
the speaker as if he had not heard.
Daddy amt got the hull right to
say what's what" she interrupted sud
NChiy. AnCAS LUIS Vi suudtlciSs
Then call in some of the others,
Mackenzie snapped. "And don't be
long about 1t. l want to know what's
going TO be done before / GO"
Polly flashed q glance at her father.
$50 get 'em. brat" he directed. can
bring Larry"
Out into the settlement she went,
and when she came back into the
shanty, there followed her an angry
set Of illy-clotbed men; and outside a
sullen group Of women waited TO hear
what Old Marc had to offer
One by one the men silently ranged
themselves In a row around the hut
wall while Polly stood at her fathers
shoulder, one hand resting upon 1t,
and the other on Wee Jerry's head.
Marcus Mackenzie knew the group
of men he had to deal with. He knew
their wicked ways. how they thieyed,
how they used their nets against the
law. and how they shot game out OF
seasona He remembered. too, how
many had been sent to prison with his
aid, but this day he hoped to GET rid
Of them all at once.
81 want to pay you fellows to 20
away from Ithaca" He pumped the
proposition at them badly. aIf It
hadn't been the easiest way out. l
wouldn't have considered II a minute.
But after talking It over with my law
yer, Pye decided to give you all a
sum OF money II you'll leave peacea-
bly,"
A sound Of boots moving on boards
was his only answer. Polly coughed
nervously.
snow this Ia what I'm going to
offer" went on Mackenzie. sNo one
can make me raise the price one cent.
I'll give you men twenty-five dollars
apiece; you sign over to me your
squatter rights; then take your WON
en- and kids and CO."
There was not word IN answer to
this. Only Wee Jerry felt Daddy Hop
kins clasp him tighter.
Realizing that the stony silence that
Hnst bis offer was practically a re-
fusal, Mackenzie got to his feet
-YOu can take T.. or-or 20 to h-l
fer all carer he exclaimed.
He turned towarl the door; and
rAeu Pollyop got back her breath, and
while the squatfer men watched sui
lumly. she stepped IN front Of bin.
l-ss.