The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-16

shacks"
one long gasp came from Polly. Her
father said nothing bot looked back Al
the speaker a. II he had not heard
Daddy Amt got the hull right TO
say what's what she interrupted sud.
denly. There's lots Of squatters
Then call in some OF the others, +"
I Mackenzie snapped. and don't be
long about II. want to know what's
going 10 be done before ] go"
Polly flashed a glance At her father.
Go get em. brat" he directed. AN
bring Larry"
out into the settlement she went,
| and when she came back into the
shanty. there followed her an angry
set az Illysclothed 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 row around the hut
wall while Polly stood al her fathers
shoulder, one hand resting upon II.
and the other on Wee Jerry's head
Marcus Mackenzie knew the group
| or 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
season. He remembered. too, how
many had been sent to prison with his
aid. but this day he hoped to get rid
| Of them all al once.
II want 70 pay you fellows to 90
away from Ithaca" He pumped the
proposition at them badly IF II
wouldn't have considered II q minute
But after talking II over with my law
yer, I've 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.
"Now this is what I'm going to
offer" went on Mackenzie. 'No one
can make me raise the price one cent.
I'll give you men twenty-five dollars
apiece: you sign over to me your
sauatter rights; then take your w0m-
en- and kids and go"
There was not word In answer TO
this. Only Wee Jerry felt Daddy Hop
kins clasp him tighter.
Realizing that the stony silence that
met his offer was practically q re-
fusal Mackenzie got TO his feet.
"You can take It, or-or go to HI
for all care" he exclaimed.
He turned toward the door; and
then Pollyop got back her breath, and
while the squatter men watched sui
lenly, she stepped in front of him.
you're in wrong, mister" she fiared.
you're id generous. sln't your
twenty-five dollars wouldn't take 10
anywhere, an where would we 20
anyhow? This amt movin' day in the
Silent City You've made your talk,
now scoot along"
Marcus fixed her with eyes angry
beyond description. Her own blazed
back at him rs she pointed toward the
door.
"Scoot out" she repeated, IAN don't
be comm again"
Mackenzie lifted his riding whip
threateningIy, and every man with a
growl started forward: but as the
whip fell back to his side. they sank
down again.
Then It was that he shifted the whip
to his left hand and took from his
pocket a shining pistol; and although
Polly whitened. she held her ground.
"And you, you impudent huzzy,"
snapped Mackenzie, what have you
got to Co with iti What are you, any
wayY
In spite Of the deadly thing held In
the white, strong fingers. Polly's head
went up bit.
I'm the lIttlest nanny in the
world" she said simply. I'm nanny
TO this hull settlement. An US squat
tiers stays in the Silent Clty-seer
The pistol came up with click, and
Mackenzie, enraged beyond control.
struck Pollyop two singing blows with
the riding whip. Then he strobe out
into the open, and. holding high the
weapon passed through the frowning
line OF watching women. He gave them
but a flashing disdainful glance, and
when he turned around, Polly Hopkins
was standing in the door. motioning
the women into the shack He came
TO a direct halt and shouted at her:
an never offer money again, but
out you'll all 60. II ! have TO burn your
huts about your heads"
As II he had not spoken, Polly gave
him no heed but ushered woman after
woman into the shanty.
I'D ruther he'd a hit me than any
one Of you" she said, her flesh ting
ling with pain. IF you'd "a pouncedI
on I'm. Daddy. or you, Larry. he'd al
popped one Of you dead. Now listen
10 me-"
Then she told them that Robert Per
cival had said the squatters should
stay In the settlement She said She