The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-09-28
The Story Of = Brave Woman's Trial.

A DT1&0C, warm, spring Uay the
, sunlight streaming through the leaf
less branches of the huge trees the
birds taking advantage Of the glorious
weather to sing their loudest, sweetest
songs, and all nature rejoicing in the
breaking no OF the long Winters
sleep and the advent of Spring.
III the foreground Of the scene
stands the humble house of a from
tiersmen, a rough structure OF logs
and bark in front Of the door the
grindstOne on which the sturdy settler
whets the axe that has already laid
low so many monarchs of the forest;
against the rough, .llnbOarded walls
hang the skins Of animals that the
skill of the hunter has captured.
At the front of a tree Immediately
in front of the door two children are
at play-little tots, the pride of the
settlers heart-a boy of six years,
and girl year or two younger.
Such was the scene presented bat
the home of Gabriel Latour, on the
Pawnee river, in Western Kansas, in
the Spring Of 1850.
Latour had followed the adven-
turous life of trapper and hunter for
many years, until finally, tired of
roaming without any settled home, he
married the daughter Of q Miss0urian
settler, .stook up aquarter section OF
land and went to farming.
His wife, born and raised on the
frontier, was tit heipmeet fer man
whose life must necessarily be one Of
hardship and priyation. Marion La
tour was one who could handle 6; rifle
or pistol as well as the implements Of
her household industry, and to her
skill in the use Of those weapons is
her success in the following seige
attributed.
As the sun began to creep slowly
down the west and the shadows were
lengthening, Mrs. Latour came to the
door to cali the children to their even
ing meal.
Her husband had started that morn
ing for the settlements on tho Saline
river and he was not expected back till
the next day.
.Come children" she called. ats
time you were both inside. Come
Emma" and then the words died on
! her lips and the blood ran cold to her
heart as her eyes fell on little clump
| of bushes about q dozen yards 10 the
rear Of the tree where the children
were sitting.
Did her eyes deceive her Was
that brownish red thing she saw but
d heap of the last antum's leaves
No. Too we'll she knew what it was
| the hideously- painted face of an In
dian.
Then the natural cool courage Of
| the woman showed itself. IL she be-
trayed her knowledge of the presence
Of her savage foe, it would but precip-
itate the attack, which was now I'M
| minent.
Like a tightening fash she formed
her plan Of action, and then stepping
ont from the door she went around do
| ing some work outside. just - coolly
as il there WASH I an Indian within a
| thousand miles, but with every nerve
strained to its utmost tension, and ev'
ery sense on the alert for the least sign
Of attack.
.come. come children. she called,
after a few moments, 1.-THE evening
meal Is getting cold.
| The little ones ceased their play and
came running toward her, and they all
walked into the house.
To close AMI lock the heavy door
| and to swing to and bar the strong
shutters of the window was but thu
work of a moment.
Not an instant too soon was the work
accomplished. - the Indians at once
saw that they had been discovered
and shower Of bullets and arrow:
were hurled against the house.
Hastily placing the children in
| place Of safety. the brave woman raT
to the rack where the arms. Away
/ loaded were kept
She found two double harrelied sho'
/ guns. q Spencer ride and plenty O
ammunition. 50 that rs long 50 she KEEP
! the Indians at = distance she WIS al
| right.
i A ven from the savages startled her
Running to one Of the loophoies IN TIT
front OF the house. she saw four d
i fhem making . rush with the evidsu,
Iirtsntion Of getting up - the dool
4 e-a--~ 80 HI 4&rne II 13rn - 49,