Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-22

Come, come, Weaver, this is no way
TO do. We are here in the friendliest
spirit, and are sincerely anxious to have
you taken care Of. You are sick man,
You ought not to DO alone as you are"
me-" " ~
why, why-take YOU where YOU will
be properly cared for, of course. Z"
answered Justice McCracker.
Now, that is kind. l admit" said the
hermit, and he looked at them with a
strange, amused expression in his ewes.
Believing that they were gaining ground
they grew holder.
'Yes, we wish to be kind. We can't
let you perish up here, YOU know"
Well, where do you propose to take
me?"
Hem, him; why, Won see, Weaver
you see Hillsford has no hospital
and
But You have fixed upon some place
for me, | presume" questioned the her
mt, In the tone Of one about to sur
render.
Yes" spoke up another. I'VE
thought we would take YOU to Johns
town"
"Ah, that's the county seat, isn't it,"
Eyes"
And the county house is near there,
isn't it,"
Yes"
'Well, that's god enough place for
any one who wants to go there. l don't.
Now it is time for YOU to leave" and he
shut the window
The besiegers conferred together and
again began to beat upon the door Feel
ing more courageous when Weaver's
wild eyes were not on them they called
to him that he must consent to 60 with
them, or they would tale him by force
The window opened once more and re-
vealed the gaunt form of the hermit
grasping a shotgun. Instinc ,valY the
attacking party fell back few PAGES.
The hermit spoke: 4 will blow the
head Off any man who again laws hand
upon my door. am in my own house,
on my own ground, and there is not law
enough in the republic 10 permit YOU to
enter and lay hand on a man who is
neither criminal nor pauper. Had you
come here protfering private charity |
should have resented it, but | should
have respected you. As it is | will kill
you ike dogs if yop trouble me mo-
ment more" And be pointed the gun
at them in way that was convincing.
Grumblingly they moved away He's
right" said the justice. who had NOR
tai fear of firearms; hes not a pauper.
He owns this ground and he owns the
house, If he won't come with us will
ingly we shall have to let him alone"
Hes as crazy as kite. piped up two
or three Others, anxious to cover up their
chagrin.
He ought to be confined as a danger
GUS lunatic," said the doctor in whose
bosom still ranked Weaver's poisoned
arrow.
They reached Hillsford in a crestfallen
frame of mind, all agreeing that the her
NIT might die dozen times over before
they would put themselves out to do
anything for him again.
Two weeks later, when the weather
was bitter cold, Robby Hart, sturdy
12-year-Old, rushed into his mothers
sitting room one afternoon. bursting
with news. odd Wet.ver's in town." he
painted
His mother looked up from her sewing
machine with interest. Like everybody
else in Hillsford she knew the history Of
the fruItlesS siege OF the heTnlts cabin.
YES, he's here; awful sick. too: out
Of his head, and is lying on the floor in
the back part Of Hunts grocery. They're
goin to send him to the poorhouse at
Johnstown"
Not in this terrible weather." said
Mrs. Hart, looking alarmed.
Yes; right OFT. There's no place here
for him, they say"
No place for a poor old sick man in
all HillSfordf We gre uct 50 bad as that,
Robby, am sure"
"Oh, but | heard Judge Markle and
Deacon White and all of them say so.
It's settled"