The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-12-13
THE DEFENSE.


ern fever" some years since, and finally
removed to the region where 'squatter
sovereignty" was being experimental up
on. But squatter, or any other sovereign
ty, 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 a clearing and
built lo% house, he was monarch Of all
that he surveyed and stakcd But Strong
was not allowed long to remain in peace
able possession. Bolder> and more evil
men lived in these western regions than
he had ever before met, and in the absence
of any very positive or very available law,
thev did not hesitate to take the manage
ments of affairs into their own hands. y
few reckless men could thus, by c0mbin
ing for common purpose, rule great
numbers of more respectable people, driv-
ing them from their houses. or dealing
with them as they would.
Strong, Notwithstanding his blameless
life and gentle religion did not long
escape these vultures of the west. His
home attracted the no.lce of desperate
named Bob Bellows, who determined to
possess it, inasmuch us that would be
easier than building house for himself,
or perhaps driving away more dctermip>
ed man. Besides the honest Quaker
Ind not forgotten wheat, potatoes, corn
and other provisions for comfortable
flt
ing though stll quite distant.
Accordingly, one day L 'h Bellows,
armed TO the teeth, and looking especially
ie 'ocious, rode ptothe cabin ani inquired
for the owner The Quaker chuuced 10
he inside at the moment AMI quietly
answered the summons.
Does thee wish 10 see me- he asked
gazing upon the intruder with samr tie
gree Of alarm, Notwithstanding his peace
full nature.
Wall yes, growltd the rufiian. Il
thought I'd ride over and see what in the
Old boy you'd gone and set yonr house on
my land for, That's all wanted to scr
you fort
Thee is mistaken, returned Nehemiah.
This land belongs solely to me. one Mes
hemiah Strong, thy humble servant
You lie was the rejoinlcr. this is my
land, and now, rs Yer shanty is struck ON
here, Jest in the place whar was goin
to put my own, I'll hr easy with yer and
say nothing abont the law. il yen just
get out of here and he beyond sight and
hearin' tomorrow mornin. What do you
SAY to that?'
Verify believe thee vilian! returned
Nehemiah, finding that he was net To tl(
Immediately eaten up or run through
This is my home, and the home of ny
family; yet thee seeks to turn me from 1t
and leave myself and family to starye
Nay, | cannot constrain myself to depar
thus. Thee has no right or title here tt
my knowledge. If thee has, produce it
and will depart freely
Look ye. you old rObber" hissea tn
desperate, II hev a claim here. sur
veyed this land near ten years ago an,
my marks. If you have cut them down
it'll be all the wuss for ye. I've plenty o
witnesses who know about it, ami | uert
not tell thee It's bad scrape tew b.
guilty of cuttin' away your neighhors
landmarks. Now, | shall he her
tomorrow mornin and if We know whc
yer well off, you'd better not be acre a
the same time"
With this unmstakable threat the out
law turned and rode away, leaving tn
Quaker in no enviable frame Of mind
We might have stated before, although
it may be quite as well to say here tina
Strong's family consisted of his wife anl
two daughters, with a son Mark abou
twelve years of age.
The daughters, hearty, buxom girls 0
twenty two and twenty years each, name,
respectively Ruth and Naomi, were full
of natural life and decision. quite uniil,
what the daughters of meek Quake
would naturally become.
They, with the mother, a middle age
gentle woman, who strOvG hard to live a
peaceable as the tcnets of her faith re
quired, gathered about the husband an
father. The latter sank upon chair
feeling quite discouraged and dishearten
ed by the event which had just occurred
verify, | know not the proper cours
to pursue" he mourned Il can't affor
to leave this house and the growing crop
smiling upon US with promise Of susten
ance for the winter. fear this villain i
arascal of utter dye, who will not hesitat
at bloodshed. 1t may be well now to &c
yet | must remain for a time"
An anxious night was passed, and yer
early the next morning all hands wcr
astir. The sister had been engaged i
consultation during the night and whe
they descended from the loft, Ruth DIRE,
her father aside.
What will thou do, father, in cas-
those bad men Gomez" she asked.
Verify know not" he replied, d
have studied upon the matter all nigh
but my mind is as far from fixed. If the
insist uponit, suppose we shall be obIige
to flee; our religion does not allow us (
fight with carnal weapons.
Let us manage that, father" the q
insisted. Truly we cannot fight. for "
have no worldly weapons, but | niue
think if we are not sadly mistaken we ca
induce these outlaws to 90 their own wa,
Il pray that thou mayest, my daugl
ter, the father returned, Though kno
not how women can persuade such fea
full men,
But thou wilt leave the matter I
Naomi and myself if they come"
Eyes, daughter" was the reluctant rs
sent, thee can have thy way; but ! pra
thee do nothing rashly.'
The maiden went her way. well sati
fed, and in short time had vioorol
kettle over the fire containing sma
quantity of water. When this was brougl
to boil more was added until the kett
was nearly full.
Surely, Ruth, thou dost not intend
wash today" the mother remarked, seC
ing these preparations
Never mind, mother, was the signif
cant reply. Naomi and | may need
do little washing, but l shall not di
turb thee"
The young ladies were quite accus
toned to have their own wav, so no d,
muir was made, although an attack fro
outlaws was every minute expected. II
morning meal was eaten with devotion
fear, and almost before the table had bee
cleared Rob Bellows. accomnanied l.