Part 15 (1/2)

”I don't know, Dad,” replied Jack in surprise. ”I never saw them until I came here, but they are mighty fine people.”

”Naturally,” said his father, ”but what makes you think so; the girl?”

”Not altogether,” said Jack, ”I have reasons to know.”

”In what way?” asked his father.

”In more ways than one,” was Jack's answer.

”Specify,” said the old gentleman bluntly.

Then Jack told his father of his first meeting with Gully, of how he had sold Gully the lumber in his shack when he had become discouraged, and had then accompanied him to the harvest field, of how Gully had persuaded him to return and try once more, which he had done, and then when the contract for clearing the land was under consideration, Gully had taken him in on it and been the means of giving him a start.

He explained further that it had been under Gully's directions that he had accomplished the success he had, and when he had finished, his father asked:

”Is it out of grat.i.tude for all this kindness that you propose to marry his daughter?”

”No,” Jack replied.

”Don't you know,” continued his father, ”that in the station in life to which I can restore you, you can have your choice of hundreds of young ladies?”

”This is my station in life,” replied Jack, ”and the best thing about it, Dad, is that I did not have to have you put me here, and as for Ida, she does not know any other life, and I hope she never learns.”

”Is this Miss Anderson a relative of theirs?” asked his father.

”No; just a friend who has taught this little school ever since I came here,” answered Jack.

”A very able teacher,” commented Mr. Norton.

”How do you mean?” queried Jack.

”This Miss Gully did not acquire her genteel manner from her parents, did she? And you say this is the only life she has ever known,” said his father.

”Miss Anderson has taken a great deal of interest in Ida,” said Jack, ”and she learns very readily.”

”Will you postpone this marriage until you have made final proof on your claim, and give me one year of your life?” asked his father.

”No, sir,” Jack answered.

Burns Norton arose from the table and began to collect the soiled dishes and pile them together, and as he started for a pan in which to wash them, Jack said: ”Let them go until morning, Dad.” ”All right, we'll go to bed then,” answered the old gentleman, and the subject of the Gullys was not again referred to that night.

The following morning after Mr. Norton and Jack had eaten their breakfast they went out and walked over Jack's claim.

Mr. Norton asked him many questions about the climatic conditions and the possible future of the country. Jack answered his father as best he could, and handed him the paper he had prepared, giving an account of his experiences and observations, explaining to him that he had a.s.sembled the data contained therein for the express purpose of furnis.h.i.+ng information to the owners of the land he and Mr. Gully had cleared, but added that he had no idea at the time who the owner would prove to be.

Mr. Norton glanced at the paper, and thanking Jack, said he would look it over. He took specimens of the soil and told Jack if things looked favorable he would arrange to have wells drilled on his land before returning to the South.

Jack a.s.sured his father that he would make no mistake in doing so, and upon hearing the auto horn, they turned and found that the car was awaiting them at Jack's house. After returning and arranging things for the day, Mr. Norton asked Jack how much time it would require to run over to his land, as he wished to see it in order to get an idea of what condition it was in and what improvements would be required.

Jack told him it would require but a few minutes, and they decided to go before returning to the Gully home, which they did, and while there Jack's father said to him: