Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-01-06

he began. "Pap an me come here
three years ago an took this place
Since then we've been clearin' an
fxin' up, an this spring we set out
some orange trees we planted when
we first came. We low on putin out
a heap more soon's we raise 'em. You
see, we're in partnership, an we aim
havin' things mighty nice after a
while. There's 100 acres" a ing of
pride coming into his voice.
"H'm! A homestead, suppose.
When did you enter your claimI"
81 don't reckon it's entered yet"
Dave admitted, doubtfully. "You see,
pap's sort of easy-like, an he lowed
1t wouldn't make much difference
bout hurrylng matters. He said we'd
just live here FIVE years, and then he'd
go an prove up"
"You ought to have entered at
once"
"But there are sights an sights Of
land round here" Dave urged.
cit isn't your land" the Judge said,
kindly. anyone can buy or sell
such homestead land If it isn't en-
tered. If you cleared and planted the
whole 100 acres some one might take
1t away from you"
blouse an orange grove an ALP
Everything"
Dave drew a long breath. 81 told
pap" he stopped abruptly and then
added 1--WE all have been 100 easy
like. ! low papll fix 1t soon's he gets
back"
Morgan had not appeared to be lis
tening. Now he rose to q sitting pos
ture.
"Come, boy" he said brusquely.
suppose you tell US straight story.
Your father is in jail. isn't heI"
Dawes face grew white.
"Court sits In November" Morgan
went on, relentlessly, "and then your
father will know whether he is TO be
released or sentenced. Isn't that about
it?"
Dawes eyes were now flashing
eyes, pap's in JAIL" he confessed
fercely, "but he amt done nothin Ht
for 1t. He Jest gets into trouble now
an agin, like other folks, only when
he gets started he can't stop. But he
amt no criminal. I got him to come
of here In partnership. an he didn't
get into mixup In six months TbeE
a man came BY an they vent OF, Al
pap hurt somebody. an was put IN
jail to wait sentence. But the uHn7s
got well an gone Of An ihsy ssF be
started II, 50 he's been KEEP; In Al
now shall leave our hoDes;eRdy
81 will help ron 10 enter some uScs
land further down" began Morgan
sand"
"Let the boy bear my proposition
first" interposed the Judge. you
see." turning TO Dave, I've bought a
big tract round here, and your little
homestead is included In II. Now
didn't pay enough for the land to he
niggardly about few acres. Mr.. Nor
gan and ] expect to be In this neigh
borhood two months or more. but, un-
fortunately, neither Of US knows much
about cooking. You can turn ont
pheasant better than any ever saw
and II you wiz take charge Of us-do
our cooking, and look after our horses
and outfit, ] viii make you a clear
deed for the land, and consider |
have the best Of the bargain. What do
you sny?"
''Give II to me sure enough. with
out hriE' on II FIVE years an provin'
MP an psyin feesg" asked Dave. In
credulously.
YES"
The boys eyes shone. "Nhy. I'd do
most anything for that" he cried.
Though, IL you don't mind. I'd rather
not have the deed made out to me BY
myself Pap an me Is in partnership
an II ought 10 be for both OF us. He'd
be more interested In II that way
"All right, wen fix 1t just as you
like. And I'll see 1t recorded, so you'll
be safe"
Some time In November Judge
Clancy opened court at Burkeville.
Some small cases were heard and dis.
missed. Then tall, heavily bearded
man with a handsome but weak face
was brought In.
your name, sir"
"David Murray" The judge looked
up quickly. "0h! And his offense?n
Fighting, your honor. Broke a fel.
lows arm. but the other man was the
aggressor."
"Its only my second offense In
three years." said the tall man, mum
bly,. "Pye tried hard to keep away
from trouble-no one knows how hard.
/ have a boy waiting for me now, an
II you'll make my sentence light m
try harder than ever to go straight"
"U'm. You've been waiting seven
weeks" thoughtfully. II think per.
haps that has been punishment
enough. Now go home and do as well
by that boy as you can. A boy who
can turn out pheasants like that ought
to have a good father. "Next case.
aN1aar8