The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-10-04
Ole :lattelE iqenfer.
Once, Nos. rs and Fl Fourteenth street.

] &ttak - : y ! y
= Once, Nos. 70 and Il Fourteenth street.
THE DEFENSE.
Nehemiah Strong, a Jealous and faithful
quaker, was smitten with the ''Westert
lever" some years since, and finally re
moved to the regions where "squatter SOW
ercignty" was being experimental upon
but squatter, or my other sovereignty
troubled Nehemiah but little. lie was
man true to his creed, and wlicreverh hi,
lot might be cast, there would he livc 1t
peace and quiet with his fellow men.
The proper location WIS soon found
md when Nehemiah had made n clearing
md built n log house he was monarch O.
a.! that no surveyed and staked. Bui
strong was not long to remain in peace
able possession. Bolder and more owl
men llveu III these western regions than
no Ind ever before met, md In tho ab
sence OF my very positive or very ayaila
blelaw, they did not hesitate to take the
management OF affairs into their own
tiands. a few reckless men could thus,
ny combining for common purpose, rule
great number OF more tiinil or moru re.
spectacle people, driving them from their
homes, or doing with them as they would,
Strong notwithstanding his hiamcfcss
life and gentle religion, did not long escape
these yuiturcs OF the West. His homo at.
tracted the notice Of a desperate named
LOB Bellows, who determined to possess
II, inasmucli as that would be easier than
building house for himself, or perhaps
driving away more determined man.
1'csides, tho honest Quaker had not for.
cotton. wheat, potatoes, corn ind other
provisions for q comfortable winter, which
scason,was now approaching, though still
quito distant. aaN .
Accordingly, one day Bob Bellows,
armed to the teeth, and looking especially
teroclous, rode up to the cabin md III.
quired for the owner. The Quaker
Glanced to be inside at the moment, and
quietly answered the SUMMONS.
Does thee wish to sec mel" he asked,
gazing upon the intruder with some
degree Of alarm, Notwithstanding his
peaceful nature.
'"Wa!, yas," growled the ruilia,. I
thought I'd ride over and see what In the
old boy you'd gone and set your house
on nay land for! That's ull I wanted to
see ye. fer!" SO
Thee lsmistakcn," returned Nehemiah.
This land belongs solely TO me, ono
Neieml9h Strong, thy humble servant"
:" You lie" was the fierce rejoiner; this
ls my land, and now, as yer sl,anty is
stuck on here, jest in the place whar l.
was goln' to put my own, I'll DO easy with
yer, and say nothin' about the law, II ye'l
psegit out OF here and be beyond sight
anu hearln to-morror mornin'. What
dye say to that?" .Sk..u
verify, l believe thee villain y re-
turned Nehemiah, finding that he was not
70 be Immediately eaten up or run through.
This is my home, and the home OF inv
lalnlly; yet thee seeks to turn me from il,
and leave myself and family to staryc.
Nay, cannot constrain myself TO depart
thus. Thee has no right or title here, to
my knowledge. II thee has, produce il,
and Will depart freely"
Look ye, you old robert" Kissed the
desperate, II hev claim here. sarvay-
ed this land near ten years ago, and made
my marks. Ii YOU have cut them down,
it'll be all the wuss for ye. I've plenty Of
witnesses who know about it. and /
needn't tell 70 It's bud scrape tcw he
guilty Of cuttin' away your neighbors'
landmarks. Now I shall be here to.lnor-
rer nornin', and ii yc know when yer well
oil, void better not be here at tic same
timew w.
With this unmistakablc threat the out
law turned and rode away, leaving the
Quaker in no cnviablc frame OF mind.
We might have stated before, although,
| it may be quite rs well to say here, that
Strong's iumily consisted Of lis wife and
two daughters, with Il son, Mark, about f1
years Of age. The daughters, hearty,
buxum girlsof o2and 20 years each, named
respectively Ruth and Naomi, were inll oil
natural life and decision, quite unlike
what the daughters OF meek Quaker
would naturally become. ~ S.'.Ssrc
They, with the mother, a middle.agcd
gentlewonan, who strovc hard to live rs
pcaccable rs the tenets OF her faith re-
Gured, gathered about the husband and
father. Tho latter sank upon q cluir,
seeming quite discouraged md disheart.
ened by the event whichhad just occurred.
"Vcrily, l know not the proper course
to pursue" he monrncd. u can i'll afford
to leave this house and the growing crops
smiling II on us with promise Of susie.
nance for the winter. I fear this villain is
Il rascal OF utter dye, who will not hesitate
ut bloodshed. 1t may be well to 60 yet
must remain for a time" ss 575 l&,&s
An anxious night was passed, and very
early next morning all hands were Rstir.
!, TIE sisters 81 .l had been engaged In consulta.
ton during the night, and when they de-
descended from the lott, Ruth drew her
father aside. - s.
what wilt thou do, father, In case those
bad men Gomez sle asked,