Wichita eagle., 1888-07-13
TIE DEFENSE.

Nehemiah Strong, a Jealous and faithful
Quaker, was smitren with the "western
fever some years since, and finally removed
TO the regions where ''s9uatter sovereignty"
was being experimental upon But squatter
or any other sovereignty troubled Nehemiah
bat little He was man true TO his creed,
and wherever his lot might he cast, there
would he live in peace and quiet with his
fellow men. The proDer location was soon
found. and when Nehemiah had made a
clearing and built log house, he was mon
arch of ali that be surveyed and staked But
Strong was not allowed long to remain in
peaceable 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 OF very available law, they
did not hesitate to take the management of
affairs into their own hands \ few reckless
men could thus, bv combining for a common
purpose, rule a great number of more tlmid
CT more respectable people. driving them
from their houses, or dealing with them
they would
Strong, Notwithstanding his blaneless life
and gentle religion, did not long escape these
vultures of the west. His home attracted the
notice of desperate named Bob Bellows,
who determined to possess it, inasmuch as it
would be easier than building a house for
himself, or perhaps driving away more de
terrnined man Besides, the honest Quaker
had not forgotten wheat, potatoes, corn and
other provisions for comfortable winter,
which season was now approaching, though
still quite distant.
Accordingly, one dav, Bob Bellows. armed
to the teeth and looking especially ferOcious,
rode up to the cabin and inquired for the
owner The Quaker CHANGED to be inside at
the moment and quietly answered the sum-
mons
''Does thee wish to see rne?" he asked, gaz-
ing upon the intruder with some degree Of
alarm, Notwithstanding his peaceful nature.
.Wal, YES" growled the ruffian. 81
thought I'd ride over and see what in the old
boy you'd gone and set your house on my
land forl That's all [ wanted ter see ye fer!"
Thee is mistaken" returned Nehemiah.
'This land belongs solely TO me, 3ne Nehe-
miah Strong, thy humble servant.
''You lie!" was the reioinder; this Is my
land, and now, as yer shanty is Stuck on
here, Jest in the place whar was goin' to put
nv own, III be easy with yer and say moth
and be beyond sight and hearin' to-morTer
morning What dye say to that"
''Verilv, believe thee a villainw returned
Nehemiah. finding that he was not to be i'm
,nediately 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 my
self and family to starve. Nay, cannot
constrain myself to depart thus. Thee has
no right nor title here to my knowledge. Ii
thee has produce it and | will depart freely"
Look We, you old robberT hissed the des>
perado. ''I hev claim here. | 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 about it. and [ needn't tell thee
It's bad scrape tew be guilty of cuttin' away
YER neighbors' landmarks Now, | 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 envisble frame of mind.
We NAV have stated before although it
clay be quite as well TO say here, that
Strong's family consisted of his wife and two
daughters, with sou, Mark, about II years
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-
hers OF a meek Quaker would naturally be-
come.
They. with the mother, middle aged gen.
tlewou,an. who strove hard to live as peace
able as the tenets of her faith required, gath
ered about the husband and father. The
latter sank upon O char, seeming quite dis
eouraged and disheartened by the event which
had Just occurred.
Verify, | know not what course to pur-
sue" he Inourued 81 can't afford to leave
Shis house and the growing crops smiling
upon Us with promise of sUStenance for the
winter. | fear this villain is a nlScal OF utter
ave, who viii not hesitate at bioOdshed- 1t
may be well TO so, yes must remain for q
time"
An anxious night was passed, and very
early TIE next morning all hands were astlr.
The sisters had been engaged in consultation
during the night. and when they descended
from the loft Ruth drew her father aside.
''What wilt rhou 10, father, IN case those
bad men Gomez she asked.
Verify, i know not" be replied: Il have
studied upon the matter all night, but my
mind is far from fixed Ii they insist upon
it, suppose we shall be Obliged TO Gee, our
religion doth not allow Us TO light with car
nal weapons
LET US manage that, father" the glrl In
sisted Truly, we cannot fight, for we have
no worldly weapons, but / much think if we
are not sadly mistaken we can induce these
outlaws TO so their own way"
IL pray that thou mayst, my daughter"
toe father returned, though know not how
women can persuade such fearful beings"
.sBut thou wilt leave the matter TO Naomi
ard myself. if they Gomez
sYes. daughter was the reluctant assent,
ssthee can have thy way but pray thee DO
nothing rashly.'
The maiden went her way well satisfied,
nd in G. short tine had q vigorous Kettle
,yer the fire containing small quantity Of
afer When this was brought to . boil
more was added until the kettle was nearl,
full
Surely. Ruth, thou doSt not intend t
wash today" the mother remarked, seeing
these preparations.
Newer mind, mother was the significant
reply Naomi and may need TO do 1ttl'
washing, but shall not disturb thee"
The morning meal was eaten with devo
tional fear. and almost before the table hat
been cleared. Bob Bellows. ACCOMPANIED bl