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

Nehemiah Strong, jealous and faith
full Quaker, was smitten with the "West-
ern fever" some years, since, and final
Iy removed to the regions where squat
Ter sovereignty" was being expert
mented upon. But squatter, or any
other sovereignty, troubled Nehemiah
but little. He was man true to his
creed, and wherever his lot might be
cast, there would he live In peace and
quiet with his fellow men. The proper
location was soon found, and when
Nehemiah had made aclearing and built
log house, he was monarch OF all he
surveyed and staked. But Strong was
not allowed long to remain In peaceable
possession. Bolder and more evil men
lived in those Western regions than he
had ever before met, and in the absence
of any very positive or very available
law. they did not hesitate to take the
management of affairs into their own
hands. A few reckless men could thus,
by combining for common purpose,
rule great number of more tlmld or
respectable people, driving them from
their houses, or dealing with them as
they would.
Strong, Notwithstanding his blameless
life and gentle religion, did not long es-
cape these vultures of the West. His
home attracted the noticeIof a desperate,
named Bob Bellows, who determined to
possess it, inasmuch as that would be
easier than building house for him
self, or perhaps driving away more
determined man. Besides, the honest
Quaker had not forgotten wheat, pota-
toes, corn, and other provisions for
comfortable winter, which season was
now approaching, though still quite
distant.
Accordingly, one day Bob Bellows,
armed to the teeth, and looking espe-
cially ferocious, rode up to the cabin and
inquired for the owner. The Quaker
CHANGED to be inside at the moment,
and quietly answered the summons.
Does thee wish to see me?" he asked,
gazing upon the intruder with some
degree of alarm, Notwithstanding his
peaceful nature.
wal, yes" growled the rufian. II
thought I'd ride over and see what in
the old boy you'd gone and set your
house on my land for! That's all I
wanted to see We ferl"
thee is mistaken" returned Nehe-
miah "This land belongs solely to me,
one Nehemiah Strong, thy humble SER
want"
You lie!" was the rejoinder; this is
my land, and now, as yer shanty is
stuck on here, jest In the place whar [
was goin' to put up my own, I'll be easy
with yer, and say nothin' about the law,
If yell just get out of here and be be-
yond sight and hearin' tomorrer morn
in. What dye say to that?"
verify, believe thee villian!" re-
-SUrned Nehemiah, finding that he was
not Immediately eaten up or run through.
This is my home, and the home of my
family; yet thee seek to turn me from
it, and leave myself and family to starve.
Nay cannot depart thus. Thee has
no right or title here to my knowledge.
IF thee has, produce it, and [ will depart
freelvi"
@Look ye, you old robberT" hisse d
the desperate, Il hev a claim here. I
sarvaYed this land near ten years ago,
and made my marks. Ii you have cut
them down, it'll be all the wuss for
We. I've plenty of witnesses who know
shout it, and l needn't tell thee tits a
bad scrape tew be guilty of cuttin' away
yer neighbours landmarks. Now, I
shall be here to-morrer mornin', and if
ye know when yer well off, you'd bet
fer not be here at the same timeG"
With this unmistakable threat the
outlaw turned and rode away, leaving
the Quaker in no enviable frame of
mind.
We might have stated before, al
though it may be quito as well to say
here, that Strong's family consisted of
his wife and two daughters, with son
Mark, about twelve years of age. The
daughters, hearty, buxom girls of TWEEN
.ty-two and twenty years each, named
respectively Ruth and Naomi, were full
of natural life and decision, quite un-
like what the daughters of a meek
Quaker would naturally become.
They, with their mother, middle
aged gentlewoman, who strove hard to
live as peaceable as the tenets of her
faith required, gathered about the hus-
band and father. The latter sank upon
a chair seeming quite discouraged and
disheartened by the event which had
just occurred.
Verify, I know not the proper course
to pursue, he moaned. Il can't afford
TO leave this house and the growing
crops smiling upon us with promise of
sustenance for the winter. fear this
villain is rascal Ct utter dye. who will
not hesitate at bloodshed. 1t may be
well to go, yet I must remain for a
time"
An anxious night was passed, and
very early the next morning all hands
were astir. The sisters had been engaged
In consultation during the night, and
when they descended from the loft, Ruth
drew her father aside.
What wilt thou do, father, in case
those bad men Gomez" she asked.
~Verily, know not" he replied, II
have studied upon the matter al night,