Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-25


surveyor were riding over it III
search of q good location for
q Town which the judge proposed to
establish.
When they reached the top or a
long slope the judge refined IN ms
horse and gaZed about with an an
OF satisfaction.
II was perfect October day. and
,he view over the tops of the trees
for 20 miles in either direction was
magnificent. ,,,
der slowly from hill to Hill, over lakes
and rivers and valleys. and his salts
fartlon was in no degree lessened by
tha consciousness that every acre
belonged TO him.
"A fine property. Morgan.
Indeed it is, Judge; one of the nm
est tracts of wild land ! ever saw.
Rut what is that smoke down there.
The Judge looked in the direction
Indicated. A thin column of smoke
was rising lazily above the treetopS:
"a party of hunters or movers
reckon. or perhaps a squatter VINO
has located his cabin there, ne
answered. Suppose we go ana see.
They turned their horses down lhS
slora and presently disappeared
Ten minutes later they emerged into
- clearing or four or five acres. a
small cabin stood on one side ana
All The underground and saw palmetto
was grubbed out.
Looks like Il permanent occupant;
Morgan observed. see those ht'ie
orange trees over in the corner ana
1be stumps that are being burned
ont Movers and squatters don
bother themselves that way, heilo'
hello 49,.
The peremptory call brought boy
OF 10 or IA to the open doorway OF
;be cabin AS he saw them ne mas
tened across the clearing.
81 light. strangers" he invited cor
5ia,ly. "We.uns amt had but one
caller since we've been here. supper II
be ready right soon" Then with
Quick flush Of pleasure. Il shot three
h;c- nheasants this afternoon, an u
h#ye EN- on cookin' torectly. They IL
h. plumb good eatin'."
lie caucht hold Of the judges bride
and started to lead the horse toward
ire cabin. The judge glanced across
the tops Of the trees TO where the
sun was sinking low in the west
,rha, he trrned to his companion.
Might as we'll camp here as any
where Ell. Morgan" he said facetious-
" II confess the thought of those
rheasants makes me hungry. have
You good water. boy!
THE best spring in the whole val
ley is lest back o the cabin, was the
quick answer. We all hunted rlgh;
smart for it fore we built. Pap lowed
water come first, then good slie an
nice lookout But come. strangers
I'm glad for company.
He led the way TO the spring De
hind the cabin. and then brought OUT
stools and placed them IN the shaue
Of a large live oak tree.
Its cooler an pleasanter out here.
%oy IN so an put the horses in the
shed an then I'll get supper. won
be long" "a,
Morgan. ~,
was called off,
Morgan took out some papers, and
he and the Judge bent over them, and
we've soon lost III calculations ana
plans for the new town.
When supper was ready the boy IN
yited them into the cabin. AFTER II
was finished, they returned to the I'VE
oak.
THAT boy is a mighty good cook,
said the Judge. heartily, as they re
stunned their calculations over the
papers. II wish my man could turn
out a bird like that" :,
.'He seems bright little fellow all
round" agreed Morgan. Did you
notice the school books on the shelf?
Looks like he's trying to study some ;"
At dusk the boy came out with a
blazing brand.
Il thought mebbe you-all would like
fire." he said. Its gettin' sort
cool"
He placed the brand under pile
ct pine knots, and in few moments
the entire clearing was illumined by
the blaze which went streaming up
toward the sky. The judge rubbed his
hands.
This is something like" he said,
beamingly. Just look at the shadows
dancing about under the pine. Come,
Morgan, we've done enough today"
The boy stood looking at them with
an expression Of geniality on his
freckled face.
whats your name. my boy?" the
judge asked presently.
Dave Murray"
"Lived here long?"
Three years; that is. I've lived here
three, but pap only two. He-he has
to be away some"
Didn't you come together"
Eyes, sir, but-but pap has TO be
away some"
The Judge looked at him intently
for few moments.
"See here. Dave" he said, cant
you tell us about it? Those pheasants
were the best I ever tasted, and
would like to do something for boy
who can cook SO well. Tell US about