Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-12-05
BRAVE
How She Defended the "Profes-
sors" Claim Against Jumpers.

eOrS claim Against Jumpers.
a Williams was not beautiful, in
the ordinary sense of the word. She
was sunburned and freckled and her
nose had too much the suggestion 81 a
snub to be an Blu she had
fine eyes-not large. but small. express
sive and fringed with heavy black
lashes. She was a strong-limbed. we'll
developed aud hearty girl Of p, or there
abouts. at the time of this story. and
was known TO the Skytown community
A. 4 fearless woman, and no less peculiar
than brave.
Peculiar. indeed, She had no rela-
tives that any one knew OF. and was all
alone way out in that Western country.
and for 4 woman TO be alone in Dakota
in s2-3. and especially holding down n
claim ten miles from any one. present
ed 4 spectacle Of self-sacriice and daring
rarely exhibited by the gentIer sex.
But Nance was equal to the emer-
gency. II she had a heart to dare. she
had AT arm all-suficieut for her pro-
lection. She could handle a gun with
the skill and ease Of a professional
ranger. n had more than once demon
strated her superb Workmanship. /
have seen her break the widest of bron-
chos TO the saddle. and by a score Of
similar acts proclaim herself the mis-
tress of her situation.
Yet, with all her masculine qualities.
she was feminine to the greatest degree
in some of the sweeter virtues OF her
sex She was ready-witted. bright
and tsnder-hearted. and whenever she
came into The store TO trade il was
q treat for me to draw her out in con-
versation- She was usually very ~
served. but from time To time | CLEANED
a few facts concerning her early life.
She was born in California. There was
= tinge of Indian blood in her mothers
veins and her father was a miner-a
"~forty-niner-~ Her whole life had been
thrown in her most rugged surroundings.
and ! could not but wonder how she
had grown up into her seatheless wOm-
anhoot- She was 4 diamond in the
roagh-I could see that. and / gioried
in II; but how she supported herself
and why she buried herself away out in
that loaely region afar from womankind
and civilization were mysteries 20 Us
all.
Along in the summer OF Sc 4 Young
fellow from the East came to Skvtowu
and settled down among US. lie was 4
pale. sickly-looking individual. slightly
built. had blue eyes. curly yellow hair
and wore goggles. He was very refined
in his language and dress and carried
himself with such a scholarly air that he
was Immediately christened Profess
sor. His father. he told me. had sent
him West for his health. He had come
10 Dakota with the avowed intention OF
~roughing it. and wanted me to advise
him b proper method for seeing the
greatest amount OF pioneer life in the
shortest possible time. I advised him
To take up 4 claim. roll up his sleeves
and do as we Dakotans did. He followed
my advice to the letter. introduced
him 10 Charley Atwood, and he pur-
chased of him the REIMBURSEMENT OF a
fine quarter of ground. three miles
from town. ~remodeled the shack a little
70 suit his convenience. and started in
TO experience Dakota life. In some
manner he became acquainted with
Nance Williams. and they grew to be-
steadfast friends. | knew their friend
ship was warm. but did not dream il
was 20 strong as after events proved.
One night, about eight o'clock. Nance
Williams came into the store. She din
not show much excitement. but her eve.
blazed in a manner that evidenced her
feelings. She approached me and said
in low tone.
I'D ike ter speak with you Mr.. Bar
low
She looked sideways at two or three
loafers in the store and | knew she de-
sired to see me privately. was some
what surprised. but conducted her 10
my little chubhy-hole Of an Office.
What do you suppose Rice Fielding.
Tom Jenkins an all that gang are goin'
ter do to-night?-
Her voice shook with passion.
Il can not imagine. Miss Williams
said |. IN a tone of alarm.
They're over at Spangler's plotting
20 beat the professor out O. his claimI-
You don't tell me-
Il do though You see the professor
Is out o. town an hat gang knows il. so
theyr re goin' TO try an steal his place
But they can't
They say they can They saw thevll
try an give the tenderfoot a big scare
anyway. Why, never heard o such an
outrage
How do they intend to 90 to work 20
get the professors claimg'
Il heard EN- talkin' il all over. said
they'd a along a keg O. whisky an
move into his shack an STAY there
They're goin' up tonight. They won't
have any time tomorrow cause the pro-
fessoru get back then. You know no
went to Jimtown Tuesday. Can't YOU
do somethin', Mr.. Barlow2'
The law won uphold them. Miss"
She snapped her fingers.
That for the law / tell you these
fellers shan't get into the professors
shack If l a help IT."
She drew herself together like an an
Cry Amazon and her eyes we're twin Goals
Of Ire.