Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-10

insist upon IL, suppose we SualA 10
obliged to fee; our religion doth not
allow us to fight with carnal weapons"
"Let us manage that father the girl
insisted. "Truly we cannot fight, for
we have no worldly weapons, but l much |
think if we are not sadly mistaken we
can induce these outlaws to go their
own way"
81 pray that thou mayest, my daugh-
ter" the father returned, though l
know not how women can persuade such
fearful beings"
"But thou wilt leave the matter to
Naomi and myself if they Gomez"
eyes, daughter" was the reluctant
assent, "thee can have thy way; but /
pray thee do nothing rashly."
The maiden vent her way, we'll salts
fed, and in short time had vigorous
kettle over the fire containing small
quantity of water. When this was
brought to boil, more was added, un-
til the kettle was nearly full.
"Surely, Ruth, thou dost not intend
to wash to-day" the mother remarked,
seeing these preparations.
"Never mind, mother" was the signif-
icant reply. NAOMI and may need
to do little washing, but shall not
| disturb thee"
The young ladies were quite accus-
toned to having their own way, so no
demur was made, although an attack
from outlaws was every minute expect
ed. 3E 70
The morning meal was eaten with de-
votional fear, and almost be ore the
| xolo Io1 o1noroH Rob ERol10xua
accompanied by five or six rascals, like
unto himself, rode up to the door.
"Come" he shouted, from his horse,
"get out of here in quick time. I told
you to be gone before [ came"
Nehemiah Strong rose to his feet and
approached the door, but was pulled
back by Ruth, who said: 5i.it
"Stay there, father. Thee promised
that sister and might meet these vag-
abonds of the earth and deal with
them"
"But it is not fit" he commenced
to say.
The brave girl, however, waited for
no words, but springing to the door she
said
"rhis is our home, and truly we will
not be driven from it save in a legal
manner. We would never resist Off
GERS of the law, and if they come in due
form we will obey them, but such as
thou art we neither fear nor obey"
"By my soul, little Quakeress," the
rascal cried, you've heap of life in
yeur delicate body, and I don't mind if
you stay. But the rest must tramp.
Come, git out O. this, or we'll throw ye
OUT"
"We shall not go, neither shall we Q
thrown ont?" returned Ruth. eve do
not fight with carnal weapons, for such
is not our faith, but if you NEEDLE with
us you will speedily find yourselves in
hot water.
"Come on fellers," said Bob, as he
sprang from his horse. "See if one of
these prayin' gals kin fight on their
knees as well as we kin afoot."
With hoarse laugh the marauders
sprang from their animals, and when
they had been fastened to the Quaker's
garden fence, they turned to enter the
dwelling, but the door was fast against
them.
i ''No danger from bullets, boys" the
leader laughed; $50 we'll have some
fun. Plenty of wood here to make a
ram of. Sam, you get stick, while I
persuade 'em to open the door for us"
In accordance with this plan, small
log was raised by four of the men,
while Bob grasped the door and shook
it violently.
"Open," he said with many oaths and
disgusting language which we have no
right to record; "open, or it'll be the
wuss for ye. Well break the door
down, and yell find nest of roarin'
wildcats in your late peaceful home.
Yea, verify thee will"
But his words brought no response,
and presently the men bearing the log
approached.
'sSmash her down." he growled.
"They are as stubborn as, or they
are goin' to play some trick on u.s.
The bearers of the battering ram now
approached, and Bob, after giving the
door two or three not very gentle kicks,
indicated the place where the blow
should be given.
But even while the beam was poised
and almost ready to descend, the val
liant leader of the gang gave fearful
howl and sank upon the ground, crawl
ing away like huge spider, and accom-
panying each movement with groan.
"Why, Bob, what ails yer?" demand
ed one of his followers, in surprise.
Before any answer could be given,
however, the questioner executed like
movement, and with very little less ado
fastened from the vicinity, closely fol-
lowed by all the others.
| TT ovy1oip tho oo17oo of 4b on. g.; ~ rr,71o,
discontinue we must return to the inte-
terror of the house.
When Ruth closed and barred the
door the plan she had in her mind was
soon made apparent. Naomi had been
to the loft and now returned with an
engine which had been used in water
ing the garden during the summer
months, in fact, within few days. It
was very simple in design, being merely
a hollow cylinder, fitted with a piston,
the whole forming, no more nor less
than large squirt gun! This the sis
tiers had put in perfect working order