of their own before another week passes. Why, John, I'd rather murder our dear old father and mother in cold blood than leave them under the heel of that parsimonious—"
"Don't be too hard on Lije, Joe. He's had a whole lot to contend with since the sawmill, the debts, and other double loads have been left on his hands."
"And no wonder," was the significant rejoinder. "He deserves his fate."
The sun arose in splendor, warming the air, and making the drive of three or four miles keenly invigorating and enjoyable. They found the little farm they had come to inspect in fair condition, though in need of some modern improvements, of which the brothers took note. The land had originally belonged to the senior Ranger, who had secured a title to the half-section of which it was a part, directly from the government.
"If father had been content with smaller land holdings, it might have been better for him and all the rest of us," said John.
"There is danger that we may make the same mistake in Oregon," replied Joseph.
"What a wealthy man father might have been, though, if he had held on to all the land he acquired in this country in an early day I "added John.
"But he'd be a happier man to-day on this ten-acre plat, with prosperous small farmers all around him and all the improvements and conveniences on the plat that it can be made to carry, than he would be with a whole township on his shoulders under the burdens of taxation and a careless tenantry."
"I don't know but you are right," echoed John; "it isn't what we own, or imagine that we own, in this world, but what we can utilize, that makes up our real possessions. Oregon will surely suffer, in years to come, as a result of the present system of land-grabbing. Most of the unhappiness of the farmers' wives results from
