pTJ FRECKLES
j COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PACE
Lli Ti I.
V'ES'V-".
PROLOGUE.
This romance of Freckles and
the Angel of the Limberlost is
one of the moat novel, entertain
lng, wholesome and fascinating
stories that have come from the
pen of an American author in
many years. The characters in
this sylvan tale are-:
Freckles, a plucky waif who
(aards the Limberlost timber
leases and dreams of angels.
The Swamp Angel, in whom
Freckles' sweetest . dream ma
terializes. McLean, a member of a lumber
company, who befriends Freckles.
Mrs. Duncan, who gives moth
er love and a home to Freckles.
Duncan, head teamster of Mc
Lean's timber gang.
The Bird Woman, who is col-
lecting camera studies of birds
for a book.
Lord and Lady O'More, who
come from It eland in quest of a
lost relative.
The Man of Affairs, brusque
of manner, but big of heart.
Wessner, a timber thief who
wants rascality made easy.
Black Jack, a villain to whom
thought of repentance comes too
late.
CHAPTER IV.
FRECXIKS' WORLD OF PROMISE.
rrriRECKLES bad walked the tlm-
I It I bcr line ten months. Ills pay
I I I was $30 a mouth, nud his
ULJ board cost $8. Tunt left i'i
a month, and the $2 was more than
his clothing had cost him. At the ver.v
least he bad $200 in the bank.
"I'll be having a book about all the
birds, trees, flowers, butterflies and
TMt BUS OMNTRD OV ITO HtlAnr, ITOOKKD
ItlCAK.
yes. b.v gummy. I'll be having one
about the fro;: if It taken every rent
1 have." lie prwnlserl liitnelf.
Fret-Lien Ml Into n rapid pare, for
he lind lost time tliat morning, and an
he nni;i(ie:l the last curve he wan al
most ruunlng.
Then, wavering, flickering, darting
here and there over the sweet marsh
grass, came n preat black shadow, lie
had seen Home owls and hawks of the
swamp thai lie thought could be
classed as larpe birds, but never any
thing like this, for six feet It spread Its
preat shining wings. Its big. strong
feet could be seen drawn up among Its
feathers. The sua glinted on Its shrirp.
hooked benk. It lit on a low tree, and
a second later Freckles saw another
shadow sweep the grass.
They were evidently mates, for with
a queer rolling hop the Qrst comer
ebivercd his bronze wings, sidled up
.'jrJ
to the new arrival and gave her a silly
little peck on her wing. Then he co
quettlshly drew oway acd ogled her.
He lifted his head and waddled from
her a few steps, awkwardly ambled
back and gave her a nort of kiss on
her beak.
The lover sldcttepped a few feet lie
pread his wings and slowly and softly
waved them precisely, as If be were
fanning his i charmer, which Indeed
was the result he accomplished. Then
he hobbled up to his bombardment
once more. lie faced her squarely
this time and turned bis head from
side to side with queer little Jerks and
Indiscriminate neckings at her wings
and head. She yawned and shuffled
away Indifferently. Freckles reached
np, pulled the quill from his hat and,
looking from It to the birds, nodded In
settled conrletlon.
With a ravishing swagger, half lift
ed wings and deep, guttural hissing the
lover came on again. He suddenly lift
ed his body, but the othtr bird coolly
rocked forward on the limb, glided
gracefully beneath him and slowly
sailed off Into the Limberlost.
Freckles hurried down the trail, and
when he neared the path to the clear
ing and saw the boss sitting motion
less on the mare that was the pride of
his heart the boy broke Into a ruu.
"Oh, Mr. McLean." he cried. "I hope
I haven't kept you waiting. very long
And the sun Is getting so hotl I have
been so slow this morning! I could
have gone faster, only there were so
many things to keep me, and I didn't
know you would be here. 1 11 hurry
after this. I've never hud to be giving
excuses before. The line wasn't down
and there wasn't a sign of trouble. It
was other things that were making
me late."
This flushed, panting, talkative' lad
was not the same 'creature that had
sought him In despair and bitterness
With an eloquence of which ho never
dreamed Freckles told his story. He
talked with such enthusiasm that Me
Lean never took bis eyes from his
face nor shifted In the saddle until
he described the strange bird lover,
and then the boss suddenly bent over
the pommel and laughed with bltn.
"They're back there In the middle
of the swamp now." said Freckles.
"Do you suppose there la any chance
of them staving with me chickens?
If they do they'll be about the queer
est I have. But I tell you. sir. I n:
getting some plumb good ones. There'
a new kind over at the month of rli
creek that uses Its wings like fee
and walks on all fours. It travels lilc
a thrashing machine. There's unotli
er. tall as me waist, with a bill a fo.tt
long, a neck near two. not the I lib I
uess of me wrist and an elegant conn
He's some blue and gray, touched up
with black, white and brown. Tin
voice of him Is such that If he'd be go
lng up and stnnding by a tree und
sawing at it a few times he could be
cutting it square off. I don't know
but it would be n good Idea to try
htm on the gang, sir."
McLean laughed. "Those must be
blue herons. Freckles." he said. "Ami
It doesn't seem possible, but your story
of the big black birds sounds like gen
uine black vultures. They are com
mon enough in the south. I've seen
them thick about the lumber camps
of Georgia, but I never heard of any
this far north before. They must be
strays. You have perfectly described
our nearest equivalent to a branch of
these birds called In Europe I'haruoh's
chickens"
"He was loving cer so," said Frec
kles in a hushed voice. Freckles lift
ed his brave, steady eyes to the boss.
"If anybody loved me like that. Mr.
McLean. I wouldn't be spending any
time curing how they looked or
moved. All I'd be thinking or was
how they felt toward me. If they will
stay I'll be caring as much for them
as any ( hli kens I have."
The face of McLean was a study.
"And now. Freckles, what has been
the trouble all sprlug? You have done
your work as faithfully as any one
could ask. but I au't help seeing thai
there is something wrong. Are you
tired of your Job':"
"1 love It." answered Freckles. "Il
will almost brer. I: me heart when the
sang begins tearing up the swamp
.Hid scaring away ine chickens."
"Then what Is the matter':" Insisted
McLean.
i think, f ir. it's been bonks. Being
among these bountiful things every
day. 1 got so nnxloiis like to be know
ing and naming them that It pot to
eating Into me und weut and made nie
near sick when 1 was well as I corld
be. Of rouie I learned to rend, write
and figure some at school, but there
was nothing there nor In any of the
city that I ever got to see that would
make a fellow even be dreaming of
siv-h Interesting things ns there are
here. .I've seen the parks, but they
ain't even beginning to be In It with
Limberlost. It's all new ard strange
to me. I don't know a thing almut
nnv of It. The bullfrog told me to
'find out.' plain ns day. and books are
the onlX-TV"! nln't. IherT"
"Of course." said McLean, astonished
nt himself for his heartfelt relief. He
had not guessed until that minute
what it would have meant to him to
have Freckles give np. "You know
enough to study out what you want
yourself If you have the books, dou'I
you?"
I nm pretty sure I do." said Frec
kles. "I learned all l a the chance at
In the home, and me schooling was
good as far as It went. Wouldn't let
you go past fourteen, you know. I
always did me sums perfect, and I
loved me history books. 1 never could
get me grammar to suit them. They
said it was Just born In me to go
wrong talking, but 1 could knock them
all out singing. I was always leader
In the home, and once one of the su
perintendents gave me cor fare nnd let
me go Into the city und sing in a boys'
choir. The master said I'd the swatest
voice of them all until It got rough
like, and then he made me quit for
awhile, but he said It would be coming
back by now. and I'm rallly thinking
It Is. sir. for I've tried about the line
a bit of late.
That and me chickens has been all
the company I've been having, and It
will be all I'll want If I can bavo
books and learn the real names -of
things', where they come from and
why they do such Interesting things.
Its been fretting mo to be shut op
here among all these wonders and not
knowing a thing. I wanted to ask you
what some books would cost me and
If you'd le having the goodness to get
me the right ones. I think I have
enough money."
Freckles handed up his account book.
and the boss studied It gravely.
"You needu t touch your bank ac
count. Freckles." he said. "Ten dol
!ars from this month's pay will get
you everything you need to start on
"ron krcdn't
Torrn Youn
COCHT."
I will write a friend In Grand Rapids
today to select you the very best und
send them at once."
Freckles' eyes were shining.
"Never owned a book in my life!" be
snld. "Even me schoolbooks were
never mine. Lord, bow I used to
wish I could have Just one of them
for me very own! Won't it be fun to
see me sawuira nna me nine yenow
fellow looking at me from the pages
of a book and their, real nnmes and
nil about them printed alongside'"
"I'll have Duncan get you a ten
bushel store box the next time he goes
to town." said McLean. "You can
put In your spare time filling it with
the specimens yon pick up until the
books come, nnd then you can study
out what you have. I suspect you
could find u lot of stuff that I could
sell for you. I'll order you n butterfly
net and box and show you how sci
entists pin specimens. But I don't
want to hear of your killing any birds.
They are protected b.v heavy tines.
McLean rode away and left Freckles
staring nghast Then he saw the point
and grinned sheepishly. Stnnding on
the trail, he twirled the feather and
thought the morning over.
"Well. If life ain't getting to be
worth living!" he snld wonderlngly
"Biggest streak of luck I ever had
'Bout time something was coming my
way. but I wouldn't ever thought any
body could strike such prospects
through Just a falling feather."
On Duncan's return from his next
trip to town there was a store box
loaded on the back of bis wagon. He
drove to tho west entrance of the
swamp, set the box on a stump that
Freckles had selected In a beautiful
and sheltered place and mnde It secure
on Its foundation with a tree nt Its
back.
"It seems moHt u pity to nail Into
that tree." said Duncan. "I badna the
time to examine Into the grain of It.
but It looks as If It might be a rare
line. Anyhow, the nnilln wlnna hurt
it deep, and bavin' the case by It will
make It safer If It Is a guld ane.
"Isn't it an ouk?" asked Freckles.
"Aye." said Duncan. "It looks like It
might be une of time (Ine grained
golden nnes that mak' such grand fur
nlture."
When the body of the case was se
cure Duncan made a door out of the
lid and fastened It on with binges. Ho
drove a staple, screwed on a latch and
gave Freckles a smnll padlock, so that
he might safely fasten In bis treasures
Ho made a shelf in the top for the
hooks and last of all covered the case
with oilcloth.
It was the fjrst.tlme In. Freckles' Ufp
BANK AO-
that any one had ever done that much
for his pleasure, and St warmed his
heart with pure Joy.
"Mr. Duncan." he said. "I don't
know why you are being so mighty
good to me. but if you have any Jobs
up nt the cabin that I could do for you
or Mrs. Duncnn hours off the line It
would make me mighty happy."
"Freckles." said Duncan as be began
gathering up his tools. "I canna see
that it will hurt ye to he told that ye
are dln" every day a thing that
pleases the boss ns much as anything
ye could u. Ye re lelu uncommon
faithful, lad, nnd honest as old Father
Time. McLean Is trustln' ye as he
would his own flesh nnd blood."
"Oh. Duncan!" cried the boy. "Are
you sure?"
"Why. I know." answered Duncnn.
"I wndna venture to say else. In
those first days he cautioned me na
to tell ye that, but now be wadna
care. D ye ken, Freckles, teat soma
of the single trees ye are gnardln' are
worth a thousand dollars?"
Freckles looked limp, and his eyes
popped.
"Ye see." said Duncan, "that's why
they maun be watched so closely. The
other night down at camp some son
ot Baalam was suggestin' that ye might
be sellla' the boss out, to Jack and let
tin' him tak the trees secretly and no
body wad ever ken till the gang gets
here."
A wave of scarlet flooded Freckles'
face, and he blazed hotly at the Insult
"And the boss," continued Dancan,
Ignoring Freckles' anger, "he lays back
Just as cool as cowcumbers and says,
T'll give a thousand dollars to any
man that will show me a fresh stump
when we reach the Limberlost,' says
he. Some of the men Just snapped
him up that they'd find some. So you
see how the boss Is trustln' ye, lad."
"I am gladder than I can ever ex
press," said Freckles. "And now will
I be walking double time to keep some
of them from cutting a tree to get all
that money."
"Mither o' Moses!" howled Duncan.
"Ye can trust the Scotch to bungle
things a'tbeglther. McLean was only
meanln' to show ye all confidence and
honor. He's gone and set a high pdee
for some dirty whelp to ruin ye. I was
Just tryln' to show ye how he felt
toward ye, and I've gone and give ye
that worry to bear."
"I am mighty proud of what you
have been telling me, Duncan," said
Freckles. "1 need the warning sure,
for with the books coming I might be
tlmpted to neglect me work when dou
ble watching Is needed."
Freckles picked up his club and start
ed down the Hue. whistling cheerily
Duncan went straight to the lower
camp and, calling McLean aside,, re
peated the conversation verbatim
"And. nae matter what happens now
or ever, dlnna ye dare let anything
make ye believe that Freckles hasoa
guarded faithful as nny man could."
"1 don't think anything could shake
my faith In the lad." snld McLean.
Freckles kept one eye religiously on
the Hue. The other he divided be
tween the path, his friends of the
wire and a search of the sky for bis
lateut arrivals. Every day since their
coming he had seen them, either hang
lng like small black clouds above the
swamp or bobbing over logs and trees
with their queer tilting walk. When
ever he could spare time he entered
the swamp and tried to make friends
with them, and they were the tamest
of all his unnumbered subjects. They
ducked, rii dged nud ambled about
bim, over logs nnd bushes, and not
even n near appronch would drive
them to flight.
For two weeks he bad found them
circling over the Limberlost regularly,
but one morning the female was miss
ing, nnd only the big black chicken
bung sentinel above the swamp. Ills
mate did not reappear In the following
days, and Freckles grew very unxlous.
He spoke of It to Mrs. Duncan, and
she quieted his fears by raising a de
lightful hope In their stead.
"Why. Freckles. If It's the hen bird
ye are missing Its ten to ane shes
safe." she said. "She's laid and Is
setting, ye silly. Watch him and
mark whuur he llehrs. Then follow
and find the nest. Some Sabbath
we'll oil gang see It."
Accepting this theory, Freckles be
gan searching for the nest, but ns he
had no Idea where to look and Duncnu
could offer no helpful suggestion the
nest wns no nearer being found.
(To Be Continued.)
Arrested Two Suspects.
From Saturday's Dally.
Joe Zimmerer of Avoca arrest
ed two suspects this morning
who walked into Avoca yesterday
afternoon. One of the men was
short and answered (be deserip
I ion of Convict Taylor or "Shorty"
Gray, and the other was tall,
somewhat resembling Doud. Zim
merer 'phoned to Sheriff Quinton
nnd got instructions nnd authority
to make the arrest. He procured
nn assistant, and with shotguns
leveled at the strangers made
them hold up their hands until
searched for weapons. The men
were locked up and their records
looked up. It was found that they
had stopped in Berlin Thursday
night .having arrived in that vil
lage loo early to have been at
Lincoln w hen I ho convicts
escaped.
William Schneider of Cedar
Creek came down on No. 4 this
morning and visited relatives be
tween trains, and looked after
some matters of business in the
county seat.
Curtain Scrims and Ms!-
We are showing a complete line of Scrims and
Netts, Lace Curtains and Draperies.
PRICES FROM 15 to 50c PER YARD!
See the Display in Our Window!
ZUCKWEILER&LUTZ
LOCAL NEWS
From Wednesday s Dally.
Jacob Meisinger was a pas
senger to Cedar Creek on No. 29
this morning, where he visited the
home far mfor the day.
J. B. FornofT was a Platts-
mouth visitor today, having come
in to vtoit his friends and look
after the week-end trading.
Mrs. Frank Wheeler and grand
sons or Louisville came down on
No. 4 this morning to visit with
Plattsmouth relatives for a time.
fl. P. 'Meisingor and wife and
son, lven, or cedar t-reoK visitea
Plattsmouth friends for the day,
returning this afternoon on
No. 33.
Adam Kaffenberger, one of tho
prominent farmers of Eight Mile
Grove precinct and his little
daughter, Mabel, visited tho
countey seat today to look after
the week-end shopping.
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Campbell
and son, Oscar, of Kenosha, were
visitors in the city today, and
while here Mrs. Campbell called
at this oflice and ordered the
Journal sent to their address.
fl. V. Goodman went to Lin
coln on the morning train today
to see his wife, who has been sick
nt the home of her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Harvey for the past three
weeks.
From Thurnday's Pally.
James Holmes and family re
turned to their home at Murray
this morning, afler visiting Mr.
Holmes' sister, Mrs. C. A. Rawls
and family, for a short lime.
John Ossonkop of Louisville
came down this morning to at
tend the funeral of August Leh
nofi", which occurred at 1 o'clock
this afternoon. Interment was
made in Oak Hill cemetery.
August Obenalte and wife and
sons, Theodore and George, who
have been visiting relatives and
friends in I he vicinity of NchaWka
for six weeks, were over night
guests of William Hunter and
family, departing for Omaha on
No. 15 this morning, from whence
they will leave for their home at
Tamarac, Wisconsin. Mrs. Hunt
er and her sister, Mrs. George
Hansen, of Nehawka, accompanied
them to Omaha.
From Friday's Dally.
William Dull, who lias been ill
for some time, is about the same,
although he does not gain
strength as his friends would like
to see him do.
Fred Lutz and William Puis,
sr., of Mt. Pleasant precinct
fa Spring Shirts
Men who are gathering their Spring
supplies of Shirts had better plan
seeing our displays they'll find ex
actly the neat patterns they admire.
Especially exclusive lines of negligee shirts with
starched cuffs $1.25.
Manhattan Shirts, greater variety than we've
ever shown; large showing at S1.50, others from $2 to
$3.50. See our east window.
Lightweight Flannel Shirts with attached collars
and the detachable collars to match $2.00 and $2.50.
Manhattan Shirts
came in from their homes in time
to catch the first train to Omaha
this morning.
L. G. Todd and A. L. Sweeton of
Union were in tho city today and
boarded tho fast mail for the me
tropolis, where they looked after
business matters.
Hans Goos of Plainview, who
has been visiting relatives for a
few days here this week and
looking after his property in
terests, left for Omaha this morn
ing and later for his home.
M. L. Friedrich is slowly yield
ing to tho pressure of his many
friends, and in all probability his
"hat will be in the ring" for the
nomination for county commis
sioner to succeed himself. Mr.
Friedrich has said ho would not
be a candidate, but since tho an
nouncement of T. R., Mr. Fried
rich might consent to save his
country once more.
From Saturday's Dally.
Mrs. John Hendricks, from
south of Plattsmouth, was in the
city today.
Mrs. Georgia Creamer, from
south of the city, was hero today
doing some trading.
John Meisinger, jr., came in on
No. this morning and visited his
parents for a short time.
fl. P. Meisinger of Cedar Creek
was a Plattsmouth visitor today,
having come down on No. 4 for
the day.
fleorge Born of Cedar Creek
was among the Plattsmouth visit
ors today, where ho spent tho day
with friends.
Martin Sleppat returned to
Blair this morning, after looking1
after business matters in this cily
for a short time.
Mrs. V. E. Perry, who has been
visiting friends at Elmwood and
Murdock for ten days returned
home today. Mr. Perry met his
wife at the Burlington station.
Will Hummel and John Wehr
hein, from west of the city, were
here yesterday looking nfler some
business mailers, and in Iheir
rounds paid the Journal office a
brief call. Mr. Wehrbein en
rolled his name for the Daily for
one year, while Mr. Rummel ro
newed for the coming year.
I. A. Meisinger, W. fl. Meising
er, Henry Meisinger and Otto Pet.
Irit, all from near Cedar Creek,
were in the cily today, driving in
through, over and under (ho snow
banks. They brought scoops with
them, and they came in pretty
good play several Jimes when they
became stalled in the drifls. L.
A. called nt this office, to renew
the subscription for fleorge Hild
at Bloomfleld, Neb.
Stetson flats
