Milford chronicle., 1888-08-17
THE DEFENSE.

IL II I'LL LIN Olls
Nehemiah Strong, jealous and faithful
Quaker, was smitten with the "westerr
fever, some years since, and finally removed
to the regions where "squatter sovereignty
was being experimental upon But squatter
or any other sovereignty troubled Nehemiah
but little. He was a 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 a log house, he was mon
arch of all that be surveyed and staked. But
Strong was not allowed long to remain in
peaeeable 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, 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 timid
or more respectable people, driving them
from their houses, or dealing with them as
they would.
Strong, notwithstanding his blameless life
vultures of the west His home attracted the
notice of a desperate named Bob Bellows.
who determined to possess it, inasmuch as 1t
would be easier than building a house for
himself, or perhaps driving away a more de-
termined man. Besides the honest Quaker
had not forgotten wheat, potatoes, corn and
other provisions for a comfortable winter,
which season was now approaching. though
still quite distant.
Accordingly, one day, Bob Bellows. armed
to the teeth and looking especially ferocious,
rode up to the cabin and inquired for the
owner. The Quaker chanced to be inside at
the moment and quietly answered the sum-
mons.
"Does thee wish to see meF' he asked, gaz-
ing upon the intruder with some degree of
alarm, notwithstanding his peaceful nature
"Wal, yes,n growled the rufian. 81
thought I'd ride over and see what in the old
boy you'd gone and set your house on my
land fort That's all 1 wanted ter see We ferp'
"Thee is mistaken returned Nehemiah.
''This land belongs solely to me, one Nehe-
miah Strong, thy humble servant"
"You liel" was the rejoinder; ''this is my
land, and now, as yer shanty is stuck ON
here, jest in the place whRr was goin' to put
my own, III be easy with yer, and say moth
in about the law if you'll just get out Of here
and be beyond sight and hearin' to-morrer
morning. What dye say to thatF
verify, I believe thee a villain!n returned
Nehemiah. finding that he was not to be i'm
mediately eaten up or run through. "Thisis
my hone and the home of my family; vet
thee seek to turn me from it, and leave my
self and family to starve. Nay, I cannot
constrain myself to depart thus. Thee has
no right nor title here to my knowledge. If
thee has produce it and l will'depart freely
Look ye you old robbePin hissed the des-
perado, II hev a claim here. J sarvayed
this land near ten years ago and made nv
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 thee
It's bad scrape tew be guilty Of cuttin' away
yer neighbors landmarks Now, l shall be
here tomorrow mornin', and if ye know
when yer well off, you'd better not be here
at the same time.
With this unmistakable threat the outlaw
turned and rode away, leaving the Quaker
in no enviable frame Of mind.
We may have stated before although it |
may be quite as well to say here. that |
Strongs family consisted Of his wife and two |
daughters, with a son, Mark, about u years 4
Of age The daughters, hearty, buxom girls |
Of % and 20 years each, named respectively |
Ruth and Naomi, were full Of natural life |
and decision, quite unlike what the daugh- |
ters Of meek Quaker would naturally be- |
come.
They, with the mother, middlea aged gem
tlewomnn, who strove hard 10 live as peace
able as the tenets of her faith required, gath
cred about the husband and father The
latter sank upon a chair, seeming quite dis
couraged and disheartened by the event which
had just occurred.
''Verily, know not what course to pur-
sue,n he mourned II can't afford 10 leave
this house and the growing crops smiling
upon US with promise Of sustenance for tho
winter fear this villain is rascal of utter
dye, who will not hesitate at bloodshed. It
may be well to go, yet must remain for a
timen
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 comef she asked.
''Verily, know not" he replied; II have
studied upon the matter oil night, but my
mind is far from fixed. II they insist upon
It, I suppose we shall be obliged to flee; our
religion doth not allow US to fight with car
nal weapons
'Let US manage that, father" the girl in
sisted "Tiuly, we cannot fight, for we have
no worldly weapons. but much think If we
are not sadly mistaken we can induce these
outlaws TO 60 their own way"
Il pray that thou mayst, my daughter"
the father returned, though know not how
women can persuade such fearful beings"
But chou wilt leave the matter to Naomi
and myself, if they comeF'
Eyes, daughter" was the reluctant assent, {
thee can have thy way; but pray thee do {
nothing rashly."
The maiden went her way well satisfied, !
and in a short time had vigorous kettle
over the fire containing q small quantity Of {
water. When this was brought to boil
more was added until the kettle was nearly
ull.
Surely, Ruth, thou dost not intend to !
wash today, the mother remarked, seeing
hese preparations ,
Never mind, mother" was the significant /
eply. Naomi and may need to do a little I
Washing, but I shall not disturb theen !
The morning meal was eaten with devo-
ional fear, and almost before the table had !
een cleared, Bob Bellows, accompanied by !
I've or six rascals like unto himself, rode up I
o the door,
Conner he shouted from his horse. "eet
ut Of here in quick time. told you to be 4
one before 1 coma" I
Nehemiah Strong rose to his feet and ap- 4
reached the door, but was pulled back by t
Syrup Of Figs.