Leave Me Alone

Leave

Me

Alone

Barth Stoner

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2012 by Barth Stoner. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/06/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-9455-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-9454-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012922394

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

FOREWORD

In today’s society the government seems to have control over our lives no matter which way we turn. The rules and reglations regarding what we can or cannot do seem to have no end. It wasn’t that many years ago that a person could live a life free to do pretty much whatever they wanted as long as they didn’t hurt anyone or interfere with someone else’s freedoms.

The courts are out of control and put people in jail for minor infractions. Prosecutors want convictions and don’t care whether you are guilty or not, they just want a high conviction rate because they think it looks good on their record.

People are tired of the endless laws and want a simpler life free of all the restrictions making us a slave to our government, the courts and the police who watch over us constantly.

Occasionally in all government offices, in the courts and in the police departments you will encounter an individual without scruples, or common sense who is not qualified to hold his/her position. The end result is, that person is going to perpetrate unjustifiable actions against innocent individuals or deny them access to their rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness according to what our country was founded upon.

Money seems to be the law of the land now. You’ve got it—they want it!

Chapter One

A new home

It seemed that no matter what a person wants to do or where they want to go in this great country of the USA that a permit or some type of permission was needed by either the Federal, State or local government. It also appears that the courts are rigged in their favor and they really don’t give a damn whether you’re guilty or innocent, they just want the conviction and your money.

Joshua had done many things in his life from digging ditches, working construction jobs and being a salesman.

He stood five foot eleven inches, average build, with short dark wavy hair that had started to gray, medium blue eyes, weighed one hundred ninety five pounds and was in fairly good shape. He had also served in the Navy as a Navy Seal. Navy Seals were the toughest, best-trained group of fighting men in the U.S armed forces and were known as the elite of the elite of all the fighting forces in the United States. He had been awarded The Bronze Medal Two Silver Stars, Three Purple Hearts The Distinguished Service Medal and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Joshua Cole was the best of the best. He had also been a Seal trainer his last twelve years in the Navy and with the twelve years in addition to his active duty he had a retirement from the Navy.

He had some speeding tickets and he also had an accident with another driver. The other driver was at fault but when the police came on the scene of the accident they gave Joshua a Breathalyzer test and he didn’t pass it. They cited him for driving and drinking even though he was barely over the allowed limit. The prosecutor and judge didn’t care that his vehicle was wrecked beyond fixing and the other man caused the accident, just that he had been drinking alcohol and he was driving. Defending himself in court he found that it was impossible to win. He even tried appealing and it was the same result, they really didn’t care. He had also seen friends and even people he didn’t know in court for minor violations of which the court seemed always to win, then off to jail the person went and of course pay a large fine into the court’s coffers.

After many years of putting up with all of the beurocracy, seeing many people taken by the money grubbing courts and lying police officers he decided to go back to nature and live as natural as possible. He wanted to keep his distance from most people, avoid the police and stay out of the courts.

He thought if he was ever going to make a move he had better make it now while he was still young enough to do it. Joshua had never married, he always told people he just never met the right girl. He wasn’t yet fifty but it was only a couple of years away and while he was still in decent physical shape he better make the move while he could still put in a good days work. Building a log home takes a lot of energy and hard work and living in a log home had been a dream of his for many years.

Joshua came from Chicago, Illinois and was moving North where there were fewer people, where he could find a piece of land and be in seclusion. Both of his parents were deceased and he was an only child so there was nothing holding him from going wherever he wanted. He decided to go as far North as he could and still be in the USA.

It was a beautiful sunny day, the first week of June.

Joshua was in Montana on Highway Ninety and could see the majestic Rocky Mountains. He figured Montana with its sparse population and large tracts of government land would be a good place to set up his new home.

At the next exit he got off the expressway and stopped in a small town to gas up and get something to eat. After eating he figured this was as good a place as any to start looking for his piece of land. He was looking for a small piece of land around eight to ten acres bordering a large tract of state or federal land which would give him a place to hunt and fish. He also needed enough land for a small garden, some grazing land for a couple of horses and enough land to make hay for the winters. He thought the minimum he needed was eight acres. His pickup was only three years old so it should last for many years especially since he wouldn’t be putting many miles on it any more. He was on a two lane highway, somewhere just below the center of Montana heading North yet.

He had been driving for two hours since he had gotten off the expressway when he came to a small town by the name of Casper in the county of Chippewa.

After leaving Casper and driving another twenty miles he saw a sign For sale by owner one hundred sixty acres. He thought this land might border state or federal land so he turned left on the road where the sign pointed, to take a look at this land in the hopes he might be able to buy a small piece of the one hundred sixty acres. This was beautiful country. He was in what is known as the foothills just before you get into the Rocky Mountains. He didn’t think he had ever seen anything so beautiful. There was an abundance of big pines and Aspens with many other smaller trees and some scrub brush too.

He had went over a couple of narrow swift running creeks, passed one large lake which looked really clear and cold, a couple of smaller lakes that were just about hidden behind the large trees when he saw another sign one hundred sixty acres for sale. The sign pointed to the right. He made a right turn onto a two-track dirt trail which took him to a house about a quarter of a mile off the road.

Getting out of his truck he saw a small old two-story home that looked like it was built probably a hundred years ago. There was a small white metal pole barn just to the left of the house and another larger old wood built barn painted red, evidently for animals off to the left of the small white metal pole barn and there was a large corral set in front of the large barn.

He heard some whinnying from the barn and at the same time a man who looked to be around seventy years of age came out of the house and just stood on the porch looking at Joshua not saying a word. The man stood around six feet tall, was built somewhat slim with gray hair and bright blue eyes.

Joshua walked up to the man, introduced himself as Joshua Cole and told him he was inquiring about the one hundred sixty acres for sale.

I’m Frank Henning, what is it ya wanta know mister?

Joshua noticed the man got right to the point and said, I’m looking for eight to ten acres, hopefully next to some state or federal land where I can build a log home with no neighbors right next to me!

The man smiled and asked, why do ya want to get away from people?

Well, I’m kind of tired of the way the world is going. With all the laws, people have a hard time following them and we can’t do anything any more without permits or some type of licensing. I’m forty-eight years old and just want to live a simple life from now on without being bothered with a lot of people around me. Does that sound like I’m asking too much?

No, said Frank, you sound a little like me. As you notice there ain’t anybody living next to me? I’m seventy-three years old now and when I sell this one hundred sixty acres it’ll leave me with just twenty acres and that’s about all I need till I leave this ole world.

I can appreciate that. Do you have any land bordering state or federal land?

Yes, I do but I wasn’t looking to break up the one hundred sixty acre parcel. What do ya think yer gonna pay for eight to ten acres mister?

Well, I figure I’ll pay more per acre for just eight to ten acres. I can’t afford the one hundred sixty acres Frank. Do you think we might make some kind of deal?

Well I’ll tell ya, there’s one piece of the one sixty that’s way up on the northern tip and off to the West that has some nice big pines and some Aspen on it too. I suppose I might be able to let go of a few acres for the right price.

What do you call the right price, said Joshua?"

I might take two thousand an acre.

Would you mind letting me see it?

Sure, come on I’ll drive up there and show it to ya. Just a minute while I tell my wife where I’m going.

On the way out the driveway in Frank’s old pickup Jim noticed a couple of horses had come out into the corral. They looked like real good horses, kind of Arab looking but a little larger in the front quarters and neck. They were a little heavier than the Arab usually is. Joshua had been to a lot of horse shows and knew a little about the looks of different breeds.

Frank drove slowly about twenty minutes through winding and hilly dirt roads and finally pulled off to the side of the road. Here we are. Off to the right is the land I was telling ya about.

They got out of the truck and Frank showed Joshua approximately where eight acres would start and end. Joshua saw there wasn’t any place to graze a couple of horses but he also saw there was enough land that he could clear for them to graze and at the same time the logs should be sufficient to build his log home. He might have to buy his hay for the winters.

Frank, I like the looks of this land. Do you think eight acres is enough to graze two horses and make them hay for the winters too?

Frank thought for a few seconds and said, "I guess so.

You’ll just have to clear a few acres to grow the hay."

Then you got a deal, said Joshua smiling. Would you know where I could get a couple of good young horses?

Frank smiled and replied, yep.

On the way back Frank said, What kind of horses do ya want?

Well, I don’t know what’s available around here to tell you the truth Frank. I don’t know a lot about horses except from going to horse shows.

Well said Frank, I raise horses and I’ve bred Morgan with Arabs and they’re a darn good solid horse with a lot of power and stamina to go a long ways if a fella wants too.

Do you have any for sale Frank?

I’ve got one you might want and I know where there’s some more but they’re not the Morgan Arab mix like mine.

How much do you want for the one your talking about?

I guess I’d take two thousand for him. He’s a gelding and he’s a good one too. I’ll show him to ya when we get back to my place.

When they pulled into Frank’s yard Frank’s wife Tillie came out and hollered. Supper is about ready Frank.

Set a place for Joshua here too, I’m gonna show him a horse and we’ll be right in.

Entering the barn Joshua counted seven horses and wondered which one Frank was talking about. Frank walked up to the fourth stall on the left, lifted the latch on the door, stepped into the box stall and brought out a beautiful dark Chestnut horse standing about fifteen hands high with a deep chest, the neck being a little larger than an Arab usually has.

The horse held his head high with alert eyes and he stood still while Frank tied the horse to two ties one from each side of the isle. You could see Frank was proud of this horse and Joshua could see why, he was a good straight legged, solid looking horse and seemed to have manners too. His mane and tail were black with some white on his head. He was so dark he almost looked black.

This horse is only three years old and he’s trained for riding and he’ll pull too. I don’t work my horses hard but this guy isn’t afraid to work I’ll tell ya that.

Joshua already liked this horse and asked where he could buy a saddle and bridle.

I’ve got an older saddle and bridle and they still got a lot of use in em yet. I’ll let ya have the saddle and bridle for one hundred dollars and throw in a saddle blanket too, how’s that?

Great, what about a pulling harness, would you happen to have one of them around?

Yep, I got an extra one I could let ya have for seventy-five dollars.

Joshua was elated and paid Frank for the horse and tack.

What’s my horse’s name?

I call him Spring cause he was born in the Spring and when he takes off he’s just like a spring he’s so quick. Joshua was elated with the purchase of Spring.

Now he had to get one more horse so Spring would have company.

Frank said he would take Joshua to another man’s place tomorrow if Joshua wished to look at some more horses.

Joshua thought it would be nice if he were to go camping to have another horse for a packhorse.

Frank introduced Joshua to his wife Tillie. Tillie looked to be a few years younger than Frank, wore a bun tied at the back of her head, was medium height and average build but had a very bright smile and was easy to talk to.

Joshua noticed Tillie took good care of the house even if it was quite old. Everything was neat and clean and the aroma from the food smelled so good Joshua could hardly wait to eat. He hadn’t eaten since morning and it was now seven in the evening.

Tillie brought out a beef roast with potatoes, carrots and had just made some fresh homemade bread. The food was so good Joshua thought he’d never had better.

After eating his fill Tillie served homemade apple pie and Joshua told Tillie it was the best apple pie he ever ate. She smiled and it was easy to tell that Tillie liked compliments about her cooking.

Joshua thanked Frank and Tillie and asked Frank what time they should meet tomorrow to go look at the other horse? They agreed to meet at eight in the morning and Joshua was on his way back to Casper to get a motel for the night.

The little town of Casper had a population of around eight hundred people. Joshua could only find two motels and he picked the one that looked the better of the two. The room wasn’t expensive and the lady at the desk told Joshua check out time was twelve noon. Joshua told her he would only need the room one or two nights and paid her in advance for one night so he could leave early in the morning.

Morning came early and Joshua was up at six a.m. and went to a little restaurant called The Dinner Bell about a block from the motel.

After eating bacon and eggs with toast and hot coffee he paid the bill and left the restaurant. Getting into his truck he headed for Frank’s place. The drive to Frank’s place took thirty minutes. Wherever it was Frank was going to take him today he hoped Frank or the other person would keep the horses for a few days until he could build a small corral to hold them. He also had to clear some land for the two horses to graze on but he could do that with the horses there.

He decided for now he would just build a small corral taking in about one acre. He used small saplings he cut down by tying them with wire to a tree in the ground then to the next tree in the ground. He put four saplings from each tree to the next tree. This took four days to get done but later he would make the enclosure big enough to emcompass about four acres. That should be enough grazing land for two horses during the summer months. He would use three and a half acres for growing hay and that would leave him a half acre for the house, garden and a small barn.

Everything seemed like it was falling in place very nicely and he felt good. He was glad he found Frank and Tillie they were nice people and a big help.

When Joshua arrived at Frank’s he was sitting on the front porch having a cup of coffee. He invited Joshua in for a cup of coffee and Joshua accepted because he wanted to become their friend and besides he wondered what Tillie might have cooked up in the line of desert. Sure enough she came out with some homemade doughnuts. Joshua smiled, Tillie smiled and Frank said, she’s gonna get you fat then how ya gonna be able to work on your new land? They all laughed and Joshua thought how much happier he was, than he’d been in many years.

Joshua ate a few doughnuts then he and Frank got in Frank’s pickup and headed for the guy’s place that had some more horses.

Frank drove for about thirty minutes before he pulled off the highway onto a dirt road then drove about another five miles before they pulled into a drive which was about fifty yards long at the end of which stood a large four or five bedroom house with a couple of corrals, a large barn for animals and a large pole barn where equipment was stored.

Frank knocked on the door and woman in her late forties came to the door and greeted Frank with a smile and Frank introduced Joshua to Norma. Norma was on the tall side, her hair was dark brown swept back into pigtails, a big boned woman and she had a constant smile on her face. She led them into the living room and soon a large muscular man by the name of Joe appeared. Joe was over six feet, had a weathered square cut type face and had a serious look to him.

Frank told Joe why they were there and after introductions Joe took them to the barn and showed Joshua and Frank three horses that he thought might be what Joshua was looking for.

What do you think Frank? asked Joshua. The horse Frank liked was a mare, a little under fifteen hands, five years old and was on the stocky side.

Frank said, she looks like a good horse and if you ever wanted to have her bred, she should throw a nice colt.

Joe wanted eight hundred dollars for her and Joshua was happy with the price and paid him. Joe didn’t have a packsaddle or bridle but Frank told Joshua he still had an older packsaddle and bridle he would sell Joshua for fifty dollars.

Good said Joshua and he asked Joe, what’s the mare’s name?

I call her Sally.

He then asked Joe if he would mind holding her for a few days while he built a small corral to hold the two horses. Joe agreed and said he wouldn’t charge extra for the days he kept the mare.

Joshua said, thanks Joe.

Joe insisted Frank and Joshua stay and have lunch with them. Norma brought out a delicious homemade soup made with beef, vegetables and homemade noodles. Norma also had homemade bread. To top the lunch off she brought out a delicious apple pie. Joshua wasn’t sure who made the best apple pie, Norma or Tillie but he told Norma her pie was great.

After eating lunch Joshua thanked Joe and Norma for their hospitality and he and Frank were on their way back home.

When they arrived at Franks place Joshua thanked him for everything and headed back to town to stay for one more night.

The next day he would start camping out on his land while starting work on a corral for the horses.

Upon arriving back in town Joshua couldn’t get a room at the same motel so he went directly to the other one which didn’t look nearly as nice or as clean but it would have to do for tonight. After paying the man behind the desk for the room Joshua had a few hours to kill before bedtime so he thought he would look around town and maybe take a look in the hardware store for a couple of items he might need.

The town evidently was the county seat because he found an old Court House that must have been built in the nineteen twenties or thirties. Within a few minutes he found a hardware store and went in to see if he could find some long nails. He was going to nail small saplings from tree to tree for a temporary corral for his horses.

Joshua asked about some nails for this purpose and the man waiting on him suggested he use wire instead of nails to wrap around each pole to the trees.

Joshua guessed the man was probably right and bought the wire and also picked up a large crowbar figuring he would need it when he started his log cabin.

He also needed a rifle and asked the hardware man about a thirty-thirty Winchester. They had one in stock and Joshua bought it along with two boxes of ammunition.

Next on the agenda was to get some maps of this county and surrounding counties so he could acquaint himself with the area.

Back in his room as he was looking over the maps he seen that his land was situated not too far from the mountains and he guessed it would have some nice lakes for fishing and probably good hunting also.

It was starting to get dark outside when Joshua thought he had better get something to eat and retire for the night. He went to the same little restaurant The Dinner Bell and ordered a fish dinner.

After eating the dinner with a couple of cups of coffee he headed back for the motel to get to bed early so he could start early in the morning as it would be a long day tomorrow getting his camp set up.

Waking up at five am in the morning Joshua couldn’t sleep any more so he got up, packed his belongings and headed for the restaurant for an early breakfast. Ordering some bacon, eggs and coffee Joshua gulped it down in a hurry and started for his new home.

The drive to his place took about thirty minutes. After leaving town a few miles behind he only noticed about seven houses on the way to his place. In fact the last three miles before he got to his place he didn’t see any homes. Once he arrived at his place he walked his land to see where the corral should be in accordance to the cabin. It took all that day and most of the next day to get enough poles cut and wired to trees so the horses could be brought over. Joshua hadn’t used a chain saw in quite a few years but was getting the hang of it quickly again. He would set permanent Cedar posts later when he had time but for now he had to get the cabin up first. The total area for this temporary corral was about four acres and once the trees within the corral were cut down that should give the two horses enough land to graze on for the summers.

By the end of the second night Joshua was tired and his muscles were sore but he figured he would become used to the hard work within a few weeks. He would be glad to get into a warm snug cabin and out of his ten foot by ten foot small tent he was using.

There was one more thing he hadn’t taken care of yet and that was to find a good watchdog. He had owned different types of dogs over the years and he thought a German Shepherd would be good for this purpose, and a young one under a year old so it could be trained.

He would ask Frank and Tillie if they knew of anyone