Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-09
THE DEFENSE.

fever some years since and finally removed
To the regioas where ''squatter sovereignty"
was being experimented 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
CLEARING and built a log house, be was mon
arch Of all that he surveyed and staked But 4
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 or very available law, they
did not hesitate 10 take the management OF
affairs into their own hands A few reckless
men could thus, by combining for a 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
and gentle religion, did not long escape these
vutures Of tine west. His home attracted the
notice of a desperate named Bob Bellows,
who determined to possess IT, inasmuch as 1t
would he easier than building q house for
himself or perhaps driving away more de
ternined 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 Tho Quaker CHANGED 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 growled the rutfian. II
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 We fer"
Thee is mistaken" returned Nehemiah
This land belongs solely to me, one Nehe-
miah Strong thy humble servant"
You lie" was the rejoinder; this is my
land, and now. yer shanty is stuck on
here Jest IN the place whar was goin to put
my own, I'll 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, believe thee a villain" returned
NtneDlliu, unlluS tIIht ne "ds iltt W De HI
mediateiy eaten up or ran 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, If
thee has produce it and | will depart freely
Look We, you old robberi' Kissed the des-
perado. 81 hev claim here sarvayed
this land near ten years ago and made my
marks If you have cut them down, it'll he
all the wuss for ye Eve plenty Of witnesses
who know about it, and needn't tell thee
It's a bad scrape tew be guilty Of cuttin' away
yer neighbors landmarks Now, | shall be
here tomorrow mornn', and if We 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 enviabe frame of mind.
We may have stated before although it
may be quite well to say here, that
Strong's family consisted of his wit and two
daughters, with son, Mark, about IL years
of age The daughters, hearty, buxom girls
Of - and 20 years each named respectively
Ruth and Naomi were full of natural life
AID decision, quite unlike what the daugh-
tiers of meek Quaker would naturally be-
come.
They with the mother, middle aged gen
tlewoman. who strove hard TO live as peace
able as the tenets of her faith required, gath
cred about the husband and father The
latter sank upon chair, seeming quite dis
Outraged and disheartened by the event which
had just occurred.
Verify, | know not what course to pur-
sue, he mourned II can't afford to leave
this house and the growing crops smiling
upon us with promise Of sustenance for the
winter fear this villain is rascal of utter
dye, who will not hesitate at bloodshed. 1t
may be well to 60 vet must remain for
time
An anxious night 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, i'll case those
bad men conner she asked
verify, know not" he replied. 81 have
studied upon the matter all night, but my
mind is far from fixed. If they insist upon
it, 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 Truly, we cannot fight. for we have
no worldly weapons. but | much think if we
are not sadly mistaken can induce these
outlaws to 60 their own way"
II pray that thou mayst, my daughter
the father returned, though know not how
women can persuade such fearful beings
'But thou wilt leave the matter to Naomi
and myself. if they conner
'Yes, daughter" was the reluctant assent,
'thee can have thy way; but pray thee do
nothing rashly.n
The maiden went her way well satisfied,
and in short time had q vigorous kettle
over the fire containing q small quantity CT
water When this WIGS brought to boil
more was added until the kettle was nearly
full
Surely. Ruth, thou dost not intend to
wash today the mother remarked. seeing
these preparations
Never mind. mother" WAS the significant
reply Naomi and may need to do little
washing. but shall not disturb thee
The morning meal was eaten with devo
tional fear, and almost before the table had
been cleared. Bob Bellows. accompanied BY
five or six rascsls like unto himself, rode up
to the door
Gomez he shouted from his horse, get
out Of here in quick time told you to be
gone before | come
Nehemiah r,s-a - lie -