The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-22
Their Balloon
Trip to a New
Land Location
BY MILDRED GooDRIDGE


Of the strangest corners of 1t at the
present time."
Shouldn't wonder, neighbor. TAX
ing In the sightsf"
Yes" nodded Dale Armstrong, and
strolled on, deeply interested amid a
babel Of hustle and noise.
1t was on the old border line Of In
dian territory, now known as Okla
homa.
Upon the following day new res
ervation was to be thrown open to
the public. A flag would drop, the
rope would be lowered and the mad
rush for choice locations would begin.
Long since the last Of this great
mob had left behind them the little
border town of Brocton There had
been a travelling circus at Hrocton and
1t had reaped rich harvest. To this
aggregation Armstrong belonged. He
had engaged with the circus people for
the season to make an ascent daily
In small gas balloon.
There were not enough people left
In Brocton to flll a row Of seats that
afternoon All the hustle and excite
ment was transferred to the border.
land. SO Armstrong had come to the
scene Of confusion and expectancy I'm
PEELED by curiosity. He fingered by the
side of a covered vehicle with two
horses attached Under Its white can
vas roof an old woman, a young gir
and a little boy were eating theil
| lunch.
The young lady chanced to glance
at Dale. If you are looking for some
thing to eat she said sweetly, "wt
have plenty and to spare
Thank you, l am not one Of the
pre-empters." explained Dale. "Wisf
l was, but I've not thought of it be
fore. Those sandwiches look only too
tempting"
Then you must have some" sale
the old lady, and she made room at the
impromptu table within the wagon.
you will have a good many swiftel
rivals In your race tomorrow sug
gested Dale.
Yes, but / have definite point In
view," explained Nina Gordon, ''and
there may not be a particular rush tC
that part of the reservation"
How Is that?" inquired the really
interested Dale.
"a friend who had been over the
reservation has described to me a spot
about fifteen miles toward the end OF
the valley" explained Nina. HE has
given me landmarks and other points
may go by in selecting location"
Some favored part of the tractT'
inquired Dale.
"Yes, because he Is sure 1t will be
a place which the railroad will cross,
and near a town site. / am sure can
readily find the place, for my friend
showed me map. 1t Is near grove,
q creek and a hill-the only combina-
tion of the sort in the reservation
Dale departed from the home-heart-
ed group feeling that he had passed
one of the most pleasant hours Of his
life. He could not get brave, winsome
Nina Gordon out of his mind. He
circulated among all the great crowd
Of land contestants. Then he incl
dentally learned some facts that sent
him straightway back to the old can
vas-covered wagon.
Miss Gordon" he said quite grave
ly, Il fear you are too sanguine as to
your exclusive knowledge Of the pro-
posed town site. The information has
leaked out and has become general
and large number of pre-empters are
arranging to make break for the IA
vored section"
"Oh, dear was so hopeful" sighed
Nina, and Dale sat studying her
thoughtfully. Finally he said:
Miss Gordon, don't think 1t strange
II seem to take a great interest in
you and your affairs. In fact, In q
measure | feel mutually concerned.
have decided to take up quarter sec.
ton of land myself / am going to
make strange proposition to you
Miss Gordon. I wish to accompany
you In the race for best choice"
Dale glanced a. the mother, who
was doing In the wagon and lowered
his voice. AS he whispered In Nina q
ear she started, her eyes expressed q
rare excitement and wonder.
'Do you dare?' he asked
ITO trust to your skill-oh, yes p
she declared instantly. "Oh, the nov
oI% 80 ~ h+
Then do not disturb or alarm your
mother by telling her of the plan,'
submitted Dale. II shall expect you
at the circus grounds by six o'clock"
II shall surely be there" promised
Nina.
Just as, at the appointed hour the
next morning. the signal was given
for the grand rush for land location,
there fioated up gracefully into the
air the circus balloon. There were
only two aboard-Nina and Dale.
1t mattered not how a pre-empter
reached a location, so that the restric-
tions of starting were followed and
evidences of first occupation were ap-
parent. 1t was an exhilarating air
journey to Nina. They reached their
destination far ahead Of other con-
testants.
1--WE shall be neighbors-I am so
glad. / am SO thankful to you for en-
abling us to secure this splendid lOca-
tion !" said Nina
Neighbors indeed! then close
friends, and then man and wife, and
the two farms merged into one, be-
came the home of four happy, happy
human beings.