The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-14
PRE-EMPTED.

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 Twelve years since, an energetic little body took up her claim in K kansas of one hundred and sixty acres. It was after sunset when Miss Priscilla and her small nephew arrived upon tue bull ing site.
 After refreshing sleep, and feeling at least ten years younger than the preced- ing night, she arose at dawn, and glo- rious picture was before her.
 True, there were no ne;ghbors near, but the carpenters would soon be here. and Kansas box-house would soon be ready tor them, while the emigrant wagon was full of home comforts for them.
 Anyway, it's hum, and could hev worked my fingers to the bone and never had one of my own in New York. Me an Jer4m can be happy here, but-but what's that ?" and Miss Prissy walked across the way to inspect something she had not before seen. Evidently some one had been here before her, as the heap of rods and poles mutely testified. In it's ruins were cooking utensils, mems boots, and horrible .-part of pack of cards!
 The lumber came, and cosy home was soon put up," and rag carpet "put down." and Jeram and his aun, were to hum.'
 A stout hired man was breaking sod, and all were busy and happy.
 But, alas! Miss Prissy's joy was of short duration, as few weeks later there came along the "man person who had been the owner of the heap of sod and poles and also the keards, aud he, too, proceeded to erect box house with the help of colored servant. If he saw the impro semepts opposite him, he never mo- ticed it, and Miss Prissy's heart swelled with indignation at thus being ignored. She consulted her title it surely was all right. How dared he do such thing, and she the lawful owner?
 War had begun already; the small niece of the invader and Jeram were con- tinually sparring.
 "Jeram, come into the honse, I'll hev no quarrelin'."
 But in spite of her good resolve. the quarrelin' did go on, and soon Aunt Pis- sy, Jeram and the hired man, were pitted agalnst the gentleman from the old Do- minion, Claudia and Aunt Nancy the col ored cook.
 All summer the improvements as we'll as the quarrelin' went on. Miss Pissy took the eastern papers Mir. Hugh Clay took southern periodicals, and the tur- moil of the "election times" found its way into this peaceful retreat A Grant pole was reared by Jeram-a slim affair it was, the flag was manufactured from a white curtain of Miss Prissys, the blue 6eld was once her kitchen apron, and "GranT Twas marked out in Jeram's be st style; "no matter bout tother man, he ain't heerd of anyway" and he loudly cheered as the flag fluttered about, and his aunt and the hired man were enthused enough to join in the chorus.
 Soon Claudia, too, had flag, a very inferior one (Aunt Pnssys fingers and in- ventive genius was lacking in the Clay family) but the Kansas zephyrs showed 1t off beautifully,
 Hugh Clay was amused at all this en- thusiasm. He had fought we'll during the civil war, firmly believed his cause to be right, but he had had enough of strife He felt as if he had right to this claim and that Miss Prissy was an invader but her warlike efforts amused him. He had known little of wsmen these last few years, and scarcely knew wha, to do with Clau. dia-a legacy from his sister. He also thought in leisurely way "how neat Miss Prissy was," and admired her en- ergy, and what boon 'twould be if she could look after Claudia" He desired to be friends ; but not so was it with Miss Prissy her blood was up. She knew she was right and meant to have her oxn, and accepted no overtures from that shifiess man person."
 The warfare continued ;headless chick ems were flung over at Aunt Nancy, "been eatin' up our gardin," said Jeram. Things grew so bad the gentleman from Virginia felt it best to hold out flag of truce Miss Prissy saw him coming and braced herself for the meeting.
 "I am addressing Miss Alden, am not2"
 "You air." snapped Miss Prissy.
 "Ahem m-m, it's delicate business but-but my claim"
 Mine !" interrupted Miss Prissy in a the tongue of Hugh Clay, and for some moments the only words distinguishable In the discussion were mine!"
 Jeram and Claudia joined in with their might, and John told Nancy twas his 'pinion Marse Hugh was gittin' the wust of it," and Nancy said "'peared as if he was"
 Miss Prissy had the last words.
 A nice specimen of southern chivalry you be-" was her parting salute.
 Sunday after Sunday came, and they rested from their labors under the shade of gourd vine. Her heart softened as she saw the frayed, hustonless linen the @lazy man person wore, while he thought "pity the little Yankee hates me SO; she looks amiable and pleasant enough from here, and it's lonesome enough to be friendly with anybody, dear mows"
 Jeram and Claudia were for the day 6iends-hostiliies for one day ceased,