Part 1 (1/2)

The Young Surveyor

by J T Trowbridge

CHAPTER I

”NOTHING BUT A BOY”

[Illustration]

A young fellow in a light buggy, with a big black dog sitting co the ride, drove up, one su-house, in one of the early settlements of Northern Illinois

A wos about her bare feet, came and stood in the doorway and stared at hiett live here?” he inquired

”Wal, I reckon,” said the woman, ”'f he ain't dead or skedaddled of a suddent”

”Is he at home?”

”Wal, I reckon”

”Can I see him?”

”I dunno noth'n' to hender Yer, Sal! run up in the burnt lot and fetch your pap Tell hilancing at the buggy-wheels and the horse's white feet, stained with black prairie soil

”I've driven over fro her pleasantly, with bright, honest features, from under the shade of his hat-briht and come into the house Old man'll be yer in a minute”

He declined the invitation to enter; but, to rest his li rose froon-bottom, jumped down after him, and shook himself

”All creation!” said the wo uns! Put back into the house, and hide under the bed, or he'll eat ye up like ye was sostretched his greatuns,” and they scaly scanty attire (only three shi+rts and a half to four little barbarians) seeard theale hiood-natured an aniett or two for his luncheon; and the fugitives, having first run under the bed and looked out, ventured back to the door, and peeped with scared faces frohter, the young fellow stood patting and stroking his horse's neck until Sal returned with her ”pap”

”Mr Wiggett?” inquired the youth, seeing a tall, spare, rough old er What can I dew for ye to-day?”

”I've coett I believe you want your section corner looked up”

”That I dew, stranger But I 'lowed 't would take a land-surveyor for that”

”I a felloith a modest smile