The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-02-23
CHAPTER /.

-Four miles from Ithaca. y. Y.
Oscar Bennetts farm spread It's acre'
along the face OF West Hill between
the Lehigh Valley tracks and the high
way leading 20 Trumansburg. oscai
Bennett was what the country people
and even the Ithaca folks called fine
farmer. His farmhouse faced lane
that led 20 the west shore OF Lake
Cayuga. and from the front porch he
could see. much 10 his dislike, the few
struggling squatter shacks that
brought 10 an end northward the 81.
lent City. Like all other substantial
citizens. Oscar detested the squhtters
In his estimation they were a set OF
thieylng loafers and sneaks, and many
times he had wished that he owned
the ground they saustted on Instead
Of Marcus Mackenzie.
or course II was no secret that
Mackenzie never let an opportunity
alp TO pop q fisherman into jail but
In Bennett's opinion that treatment
vas not severe enough. and besides, II
did not accomplish anything. Mac
kenzie's Idea was TO jail the men
whenever the chance came and for a
period as long as the law would allow.
But what good did that do7 Fierce
hatred famed I'm the haggard faces OF
the women, and they held TO their
squatter rights with the tenacity OF
leeches until their husbands were
given back TO them Bennett would
have done away with the wives and
mothers II the job OF breaking up the
Silent City had been his. No man
would hang 10 hut long without a
woman In H.
One morning in the early spring os-
car was finishing bis breakfast when
the door opened slowly A girl with
q small tin pail In her hand stepped
into the room. She smiled at him al
most humbly
"Shut the door :" he shouted at her.
"Where's your manners. Polly Hop
kinsi Can't you see the rains com
Ing In after your"
The smile faded from the girls face.
Mechanically she turned. closed the
door and. uninvited, seated herself in
a chair and placed the pail at her
side
$50 you've come begging, Pollyop."
went on the farmer. wiping his lips
on the sleeve Of his gingham shirt.
"Well. you might as well turn tail
and run home again. for you're not go
ing to get anything more from me.
don't want poacher's brat around
here"
The girls bare wet feet drew tense
ly backward under the chair: but she
remained discreetly silent. Oscar al
ways abused her and called her names.
but that was because she was a squat
ter. After a while. he'd change his
mind. and then she would take home
what she came for She noted with a
quick breath that Oscars eyes softened
during the time he was silent That
bOded well for her errand: but Ben
netts mind was not on milk or any
OF those suffering for the want OF II.
He had Just discovered that Polly
Hopkins was beautiful even II she
were barefooted and ragged Her
straight young shoulders were covered
with wet curls that seemed 20 have
given to the wide eyes their shade Of
ripe chestnuts
Polly expected every moment that
oscar would reach out for the pan,
and. though with bad grace, he'd give
her the milk Just the same She I'd.
geted IN her chair and drew long
sigh-he vas staring At her IN such 3
peculiar manner from under bis heavy
hruws
WHY had BE- not noticed before that
Polly Hopkins was 80 pretty Oscar
wondered. and SLOW smile parted hls
urs P8iy's ewes lowered sind fhs
song tars lashps only added rs Pen
uett's eafIsr fdH ration rries
drawn bueafh slipped audhlg thf
mans teefh Pofyop sensed O. hls a.
ffilIp art Der e Nt fEIt
she reeasnifei IufEifive'r iarear
Gus To bring ts atteniiou hack c
the purpose ~ her visit she yFfure6
to say
n th6aeht It wouldn't luri yog
noue. osear. o. gimme iitfle uIik fai
Granny lIoEe Ha Jerry i'm siways 4
runnln' eruris far yea ar yali
ar0luu
Reur-tts heavy farm boots mase .
scrauinr sound endFf the table.
-nhat good does hat a. mef- D.
returned -Upan my saul. ] CD slf 81 1
wer - wffhouf wife as . have one
uho uoa'f i've vifh me - iEi anyens 4
kngu Fu her hHshand I'm eeftIn