October15-16, 1999--Day 1: Rusty says that he has been helping the elderly Mr. Logan occasionally. Mr. Logan lives next to Lost Forest. Mark says that's nice.
October18-23--Day 1: Mark and Cherry go for a walk. Cherry mentions that Mr. Logan pays Rusty to help him. Mr. Logan feeds the geese. He's lived alone since his wife left with their child years ago. Mark and Cherry spot a goose that apparently can't fly. Mark rolls up his pantlegs and wades out to help the goose who appears enraged. Mark explains that he is just trying to help. The angry goose adopts a threatening stance as Mark tries to calm it down. The goose charges and knocks Mark down, but he gets a grip on it, noting that it doesn't seem to be too severely injured. Doc looks the goose over and discovers oil on it. He also spots a band on its leg. The goose sits motionless, looking very much like a decoy. Mark reads the band and finds it's one of the geese banded by Mr. Logan.
October25-30--Day 1: Mark removes the oil from the goose and tells Rusty he will return it to Mr. Logan. Rusty says he will return the goose. Mark says he will go along. They return the goose to Mr. Logan and explain that Mark found the bird with oil on it. Mr. Logan says he couldn't get along without Rusty's help and that Rusty is like the son he never had. Mr. Logan goes on about the unending work around the place. Mark says he knows what it's like. Meanwhile 3 men in suits wonder if Mr. Logan has accepted their generous offer. Mr. Morgan, the head suit asks again if Logan has accepted the offer. Another man says that Mr. Logan will not sell for any price. Morgan asks aloud if Logan is an animal nut. He asks the secretary, Mrs. Smith, to send Tony in. Mrs. Smith says that Tony isn't there today. Mark says he'd better get back to Lost Forest. Logan thanks him. Rusty says he will stay and help if he is needed. Mr. Logan appreciates that and says he wants to show Rusty the latest addition to his family.
November 1-6--Day 1: Frank Logan shows Rusty a goose named Mabel. Mabel's chicks don't have names yet. Rusty asks if Mr. Logan has any children? Mr. Logan replies that he has a son, Anthony (just by the way: "Tony" is a common nickname for "Anthony"--hmm), but that his wife left with the baby while he was away. She left a note saying that the wilderness was no place to raise a child. Logan remembers when Anthony scared him: a spark from the fire flew into his bassinet. The spark very badly burned Anthony's shoulder and it was shortly thereafter that wife, Lily, decided she'd had enough of farm life. Rusty says that he'd better get home and do his schoolwork. Mr. Logan thanks him for listening to his problems. Rusty says he bets Mr. Logan's son is a good man. He adds that he likes helping Mr. Logan.
November 8-13--Day 1 to Day 2: Rusty asks Mark if he knew that Mr. Logan had a wife and son who left him. Mark says he knew about it, but that Frank never seemed to want to talk about it, adding that Frank loved his wife very much and has probably never gotten over it completely. Meanwhile, Mr. Morgan, unwinding at home, says to an unidentified woman that Tony didn't show up for work. Morgan says Tony's not interested enough in his job to succeed him some day. The woman's name is Lily, and she addresses Morgan as "Mac." Mac says they've given Tony everything: a good education, money, a job, but something is still missing. Tony comes home and Mac asks him why he wasn't at work. Tony said he was looking for an apartment. He knows that Mac will be glad to hear that. Mat says that he runs a large company and that Tony had better not blow it. He adds, shaking his finger, that Tony had better show up for work tomorrow. Tony says he'll be there. Tony tells his mother that his move is long overdue and that he'll be alright. He's depended on her and his stepfather for far too long. Next morning, Tony asks Matt what his assignment is. Matt says the company needs to buy some property. They want to put up a shopping mall, but the owner won't sell. Tony's job is to use his charm to convince Mr. Logan to sell the property. Tony wonders how he's to convince the man to sell if he isn't interested in more money. Matt says the mall will be good for the community. Tony says cutting down beautiful trees and replacing them with concrete is not a very good incentive. Matt tells Tony to just do his job.
November 15-20 Day 2: Tony introduces himself to Mr. Logan. Mr. Logan realizes Tony works for the Morgan Developers and tells Tony to grab a bucket and help feed the geese. Mr. Logan feeds all the wild animals in the area. Tony has always loved the outdoors and wildlife as well. Mr. Logan says it would be a shame to turn such a lovely area into some buildings, and says the local residents wouldn't like it either. He introduces Tony to a goose named Bessie and invites Tony to lunch. Tony accepts. They are having tomato and bacon sandwiches, the favorite sandwich of both men.
November 22-27 Day 2: Tony and Mr. Logan have lunch. Mr. Logan talks on about how he loves his farm and that there is a lot of work to do. Tony asks him what he will do when he is old. Mr. Logan says that is a good question. The ice cubes in the glasses and pitcher do not float. Mr. Logan asks Tony if he owns the development company. Tony says he works for his stepfather who isn't sure Tony is cut out for the business. Tony sometimes wonders if his stepfather is right. A goose honks loudly, and Mr. Logan shouts that the geese are in trouble. He runs out wildly and shouts that a fox is attacking the geese. The fox looks remarkably like a coyote and appears confused at Mr. Logan's attempts to frighten it off. Obviously, when Mr. Logan said he cares for all the wildlife in the area, he did not mean to include the carnivores. Mr. Logan says that a few feathers are missing from the goose, but he think's she'll be all right, adding that living alone has its disadvantages--it's hard to keep an eye on the animals all the time. Tony says they are truly fortunate to have someone like Mr. Logan to care for them. As Tony leaves, he asks if he may visit again some time. Mr. Logan would like that. Back at the office, Matt asks Tony if Mr. Logan will sell his property. Tony says Mr. Logan likes his life with the animals and won't sell at any price. Matt says Tony's done his best and calls in Lloyd Smith, telling him he is sure he can depend upon Lloyd to come up with a solution. Lloyd has a mustache. We do not know if he is married to the secretary, Mrs. Smith.
November 29-December 4--Day 2: Matt tells Lloyd that Tony failed to change Logan's mind; he still won't sell his property. He adds that Logan likes to feed the geese on his property. Lloyd says that the geese may be the key to the solution. Matt says that Logan likes to feed the geese and talks to them as though they are human, adding that Logan has no apparent heirs. As he smokes a cigar, Matt says that if the geese were to disappear, Logan may not be so adamant about not selling his property. Lloyd says he will give it a shot. Matt says he knew he could count on Lloyd. In a bar, Lloyd meets a man with long sideburns and hair hanging over his collar. Lloyd has a job for the man. Over beer, Lloyd says he knows the man is good with a gun and likes to hunt. The man asks what this is about. Lloyd asks him if he'd like to shoot some geese--a lot of geese. The man wants to know where the geese are. Lloyd says a man named Logan won't sell his property and is attached to the geese. If the geese are removed, maybe he will sell. It's a long shot, but worth it. The Henchman asks if Morgan knows of this plan. Lloyd says not exactly, he's only interested in closing the deal soon. The Henchman will be paid when the job is done.
December 6-11--Day 2: Mr. Logan apologizes to a mother goose for being out of goose feed and says he will go to town for more right away. As he drives off in his pickup truck, Henchman is watching from a grove, firearm in hand. He says to himself that the old man is leaving; maybe there will be time to do the job before he returns. The Henchman says this will be easy and fun and that maybe he'll even keep one for dinner tonight. Henchman begins firing wildly as Tony arrives and geese fall from the sky. Tony shouts, chases the man and tackles him. The Henchman then delivers a vicious kick to Tony's face, saying, "Got'cha, pal!" He then kicks Tony again, telling him that this will teach him not to butt in. Then he gives Tony a whack with his shotgun and runs off. Tony, very groggy, wonders what has happened. As Tony moans in the background, Mr. Logan comes home and begins unloading goose feed, saying to himself that this ought to be enough goose feed for a couple weeks. He finally notices the moaning and asks Tony what happened.
December 13-18--Day 2: Mr. Logan asks Tony if he is alright. Tony thinks he is. Logan helps him to his feet, asking who did this. Tony says, "Don't you know?" Logan says, "Know what?" Tony says that he came to visit Mr. Logan and saw a man killing his geese. Mr. Logan is shocked. He runs to see if Mable (today's spelling) and her babies are alright. The pond in the background is littered with dead geese. One baby goose is alive. Mr. Logan shouts, "Someone deliberately killed my friends--WHY?" Before Tony can answer, Mr. Logan grabs at his chest with both hands and staggers. Tony shouts, "Mr Logan!" He picks up Mr. Logan, saying that he'd better get him to a doctor. Mr. Logan says he will be alright if Tony just puts him in his own bed. The doctor says it doesn't look too serious, however, he would like to perform some tests. Logan says he is not going anywhere now. He thanks Tony for his help and concern. The doctor tells Tony that Logan is a tough old bird and will be ok after a couple days; someone will need to stay with him. Tony says that he will do it. Logan asks Tony how many geese were killed. Tony counted eight. Logan says it's a good thing Tony came along when he did or every goose on the lake would be dead. Tony wonders how the poacher knew of the geese on Mr. Logan's property. Rusty asks Mark if he can visit Mr. Logan. Mark consents and says to say hi to Frank. Rusty approaches Mr. Logan's house, shouting loudly for him.
December 20-25--Day 2: Rusty continues to shout at Frank Logan's house. Frank hears him and tells Tony to let him in. Tony introduces himself to Rusty. Rusty looks confused. Mr. Logan and Tony tell Rusty about the geese being shot. Rusty wonders why the geese were shot. Mr. Logan says that the man was probably a poacher. Mr. Logan is glad that Rusty came by; he will need to have Rusty feed the animals. Tony says that he will help. Mr. Logan thanks Tony for staying and helping out. He mentions that his son is about the same age; he hopes he turns out like Tony. Tony asks Rusty if he is ready to get started. Rusty is; he will show Tony what needs to be done. Rusty says they will feed the animals first; if the geese aren't fed, they will come up to the house and start honking. Tony has heard of Mark Trail. He asks Rusty if he lives at Lost Forest. Rusty replies that Mark and Cherry adopted him. Tony says that Rusty is very lucky; he envies people who live and work in the outdoors. Rusty says, "Yeah, I want to be an outdoor writer like Mark Trail!" Tony reveals that he, too, is adopted.
December 27-January 1, 2000--Day 2: Tony and Rusty continue to feed animals. Tony excuses himself to use his cell phone. He must call the office to tell them he won't be in for several days. Matt answers the phone and praises Tony for trying to convince Mr. Logan to sell his property. He asks if Mr. Logan has relented. Tony says he hasn't, prefacing his reply with an "Uh." Matt says it's a great idea for Tony to stay with Mr. Logan for several days. Mr. Logan will be more likely to sell his property if Tony works on him during that time. Rusty asks Tony if he received permission to stay. Tony says he can stay as long as he likes. Meanwhile, Lloyd asks the Henchman, whose name is Rod, if he has killed the geese. Rod says he hasn't; he shot some of them and was interrupted by a visitor. Rod feels lucky to have gotten away. Lloyd says Rod can't go back to Logan's farm now; they'll have to figure out some other way to persuade the old man to sell his property. He asks Rod how the lake on Logan's farm is fed, adding that there must be a stream flowing into it. Rod says, yes, he is sure it is a stream; he crossed one going to the farm; why is Lloyd interested in how the lake is fed? Lloyd says it may be the answer to their problem. A friend of his has a tanker truck and often hauls oil waste to legal dumps. For a price, he might divert a shipment and dump it into the stream!
January 3-8--Day 2: Rod and Lloyd are again drinking mugs of beer in the bar. Rod is smoking a cigarette. He says it is a good idea to dump the oil in the stream; the oil will kill all the geese and everything else that lives in the lake. Rod wonders if the trucker will agree to do the job. Lloyd says he will meet with him and will let Rod know the date for the dumping. Rusty tells Tony that Mr. Logan needs wood cut and stacked for winter. Tony says he can handle that; he learned a little about splitting wood in Scouts. He takes off his shirt and says he will split and Rusty can stack. Rusty says, "Sounds great!" Rusty notices the scar on Tony's shoulder and asks about it. Tony tells him his mother said it was from a burn. Rusty wonders how Tony got a burn on his shoulder. Tony says his mother told him a spark from the fireplace landed in his bassinet. Rusty remembers Mr. Logan telling the story of his son being burned in a similar incident. Rusty rushes home and excitedly tells Mark that he knows who Mr. Logan's son is. Mark tells him to slow down and start at the beginning.
January 10-15--Day 2: Rusty tells Mark a man from the development company is Mr. Logan's son and that he is helping him out, since the goose killing incident caused Mr. Logan's collapse. Mark asks who this man is. Rusty replies that his name is Tony Morgan and that neither the father nor the son is aware that they are related. Mark says that they must be sure of the relationship before they tell them. He will accompany Rusty to the Logan farm tomorrow. Lloyd phones a man named Joe.
January 17-22--Day 2 to Day 3: Lloyd asks Joe if he still hauls waste oil to legal dumps. Joe does. Lloyd asks if he could divert a load and dump it in a stream. Joe says, "That's risky! It's gonna cost you!" Lloyd says the stream is in an area where Joe will be unobserved. Joe will be paid after the job is done. Joe says he has a load of oil he can dump tomorrow if the price is right. Lloyd says he will be paid after the job is finished. Next morning (Day 3), Mark says that he is going with Rusty to meet this Tony Morgan at Mr. Logan's farm. Rusty says that he will work in the barn. Mark replies that he will tell Rusty when he is through visiting. Mark visits Mr. Logan, who says that he was upset by his geese being shot. Mark asks what Mr. Logan knows about Tony Morgan. Logan says he knows little and that he is about the same age as his son.
January 24-29--Day 3: Joe arrives at the stream with his load of waste oil. Foreground Squirrel appears to be delighted at this turn of events (Alert Trailhead Morgan M. noticed the inappropriate affect. We welcome the interpretations of other Trailheads and await your wisdom!). Joe begins to dump the oil into the stream, noting that it shouldn't take long. Meanwhile, Mr. Logan continues to urge Mark to meet Tony; Tony is feeding the geese by the lake. Mark finally goes out to the lake and introduces himself. Tony had been hoping he would meet Mark after Rusty told him about stories about Mark Trail. Mark asks Tony if he works for the development company. Tony says he does, but that he hopes that Mr. Logan will not sell his property. Tony said he originally wished that Mr. Logan would sell, but now he hopes he will not. Mark interrupts Tony's repetition to ask what that substance he sees in the lake is. He answers his own question; it is oil. Mark says that they had better try to find the source of this. They soon learn that it is coming from the stream. Meanwhile a careless motorist driving a sedan with two rows of back seats tosses a lit cigarette from the vehicle as though it's an empty bottle. The cigarette sails through the air. The careless motorist is unaware of the oil fumes in the area.
January 31-February 5--Day 3: The carelessly tossed cigarette sails through the air. Meanwhile, Mark tells Tony that they must find the source of the oil soon. The oil fumes ignite. Joe stares at the fire and says, "WHAT TH'! The stream is on fire!" Joe then notices that the flames are going towards his tanker truck. He says to himself that he's got to get out of there. As the flames race towards the truck, Joe again comments on this fact as he runs. The truck explodes, sending Joe flying through the air. Mark sees the oil on fire and says, "Holy Mackerel! The oil is on fire and it's spreading to the woods!" He tells Tony to go phone for help. Mark runs into the woods where Joe is groaning. Mark says to himself, "There's someone down there!" Meanwhile, Mr. Logan says to himself, "That sounded like an explosion! WHAT is going on?" He gets out of bed, fully dressed, and steps outside, noting immediately that "There is a fire down near the lake!" Joe runs into the thick smoke, shouting that he has to save his geese!
February 7-12--Day 3: Tony tells Mr. Logan he shouldn't be out there in his condition. Mr. Logan says he has to save his animals. He is quickly becoming overcome by the smoke. He collapses, but Tony quickly rescues him, telling him he will be alright soon. Mr. Logan asks how his animals are. The local fire crew quickly puts out the fire on Mr. Logan's farm. The crew chief asks Mark what has happened here. Mark says he doesn't know, but that he thinks Joe had something to do with the tanker truck. In the first caption, the crew chief is wearing a fire crew badge. In the second, he has none. Mr. Logan tells Tony he is too old to run his property; Tony should draw up the papers for the development company to purchase the farm. Tony says that Mr. Logan does not want to do that.
February 14-19--Day 3: Mark agrees that Mr. Logan would not be happy if he sold his farm. He asks Tony to remove his shirt so that he can show Mr. Logan the scar on his shoulder. Tony is puzzled, but removes his shirt. Mr. Logan looks at Tony with excitement. As Mr. Logan looks on with tears in his eyes, Mark tells Tony that Mr. Logan is his father. Tony says excitedly, "My, my real father?" Mr. Logan asks Mark if it can be true. Mark thinks so. Mr. Logan has prayed for this moment. Tears continue to run down his face. He tells Tony that his mother did not enjoy farm life. After embracing Tony, he sits in a chair, overwhelmed. Tony asks him what's wrong. Mr. Logan says nothing is wrong and that he's prayed he would find his son. Mr. Logan says that he and Tony have a lot of catching up to do. He thanks Mark. Mark tells him to thank Rusty.
February 21-26--Day 3: The fire crew chief, who had blonde hair during his previous appearance, now has dark hair. He tells Mark that the truck driver, Joe, says he was hired by a man named Lloyd Smith. Tony says that Lloyd works where he works. Mark asks Tony if he thinks Mr. Morgan knows about this. Tony doesn't know, but he intends to find out. Mr. Logan tells Tony to wait, the farm will be his to do with as he wishes. Tony asks his stepfather if he hired a man named Lloyd Smith to try to persuade Mr. Logan to sell his farm. Mr. Morgan says he did, but Lloyd wasn't very successful; Lloyd was only doing what Tony was doing. Tony asks if that's so and tells Mr. Morgan about Lloyd's persuasion techniques. Mr. Morgan is shocked and denies all knowledge of Lloyd's shenanigans, but says that if Tony's reports are true, Lloyd will be terminated immediately. Tony reveals that Mr. Logan is his father. Mr. Morgan is skeptical of this, pointing out that Tony's mother reported that his father ran off. Tony says that his mother has been less than truthful to himself and to Mr. Morgan. At this juncture, one cannot help but wonder about the legal status of the Morgan marriage. Previously, Frank Logan reported that his wife had left him. A divorce was never mentioned. Yet for Matt to marry Tony's mother, some termination of the marriage would have to have been arranged. If we speculate, we may conclude that Lloyd Smith, Mrs. Smith (the Morgan Development Company secretary) and Tony's mother are in cahoots and that Tony and his stepfather, Matt, have been bamboozled for many years. Who Mark Trail is going to knock out with just one punch remains a mystery. Mark never strikes women, and it appears that Lloyd will merely be fired. For such a long adventure to end without violence would be out of character and rather sad. Is it possible that Mark has become so politically correct that he will leave it to the lawyers to sort everything out?
February 28-March 2--Day 3: Matt Morgan tells Tony to try to be more understanding of his mother's actions because she was very young when Tony was born and she did not like farm life. Tony says his father needs him now. He asks Matt to tell his mother he will be living with his father, adding that he will be in touch with both of them. Matt begs Tony to not shut himself off from them. He loves Tony like a son. As they embrace, Tony says he knows that's true. He will keep in touch with both Matt and his mother. Tony tells Mr. Logan he has a lot to learn about farm life. Mr. Logan says he has a lot to learn about having a son and he is looking forward to every minute of it. He suggests they start by "feeding our geese." Tony says, "Sounds good to me." Mark pats Rusty on the back and praises him for having brought Tony and Frank together. Rusty says he's glad he could help as he plays with his dog, Sassy. He hopes things work out well. Mark is sure they will.