Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-07-19

and disappeared in the darkness.
The great star rose higher and higher
in the purple sky; faint, ashy light stole
up the eastern horizon, and the sound of
waking birds came from the patches Of
sumachs Still the heroic child hurried
on as fast as her wearied and aching
limbs could carry her, her face pale with
pain and fatigue, her feet and ankles
bleeding from coming in contact with
''saw- briars" that overhung the path.
She had struggled YEARLY to the top
of little hill, when suddenly dark mass
of moving forms broke on her vision
She started-uttered low, agonized cry,
then turned half around, and sank down
a senseless heap in the damp grass.
A band of twenty mounted and armed
men were riding along the dim road in
the direction of Amos Lees cabin.
"Jim," said Bill Strong, the leader of
the party, addressing one Of the men that
rode by his side, II reckon ole Leell
wished he'd obeyed the injunctions Nv
the League when he sees US comm"
''Guess he won't have much time ter
wish after we git thar" was the answer.
''That's my unanimous opinion. I
reckon it's hang this time, amt it, Bill2"
"You bet," and the speaker shook a
rope that dangled significantly from the
horn of his saddle
1t was during those terrible days in the
history of Southeastern Kansas, when the
local warfare was carried on by the
"Union League" against all settlers who
contracted with the railroad company for
the claims they had settled upon. A
large track of land, covering nearly three
counties, had been granted to the "Gulf
Railroad Company" and in order to COM
pei the company to sell the land to
settlers at the regular Government price,
the 'Union League" was organized.
The first action of the ''League" was
to notify all settlers not to contract with
the railroad company for their claims, and
when a squatter refused to obey this
order, he was dealt with in the most sum-
mary manner.
A month previous to the time of the
opening of this story, Amos Lee had
settled on a claim about three miles from
the old military road" and erected
rude board shanty. A week afterward
his wife died and left him alone in his
desolate prairie home, with only his little
ten-year-old daughter, Annie, to keep
him company and share his sorrow.
He then resolved to return to Missouri;
but first he contracted with the railroad
company for his claim, making payment
on the same.
This fact becoming known to the
''League, he was at once notified to leave
his claim within forty eight hours, or suf-
fer the consequences. But the next day
Amos Lee had been stricken down with
typhoid fever, and the report reaching
the League that he had failed to comply
with their orders, band of armed men
was at once dispatched to the settlers
cabin, with instructions to make an
''example" of him.
''Hit's about time" continued Bill
Strong, ''fer this yer League ter stop
warnin' an orderin' an go ter hangin',
an see if that won't have the moral eff
feet Nv stoppin' these fellers that con-
tract with the land comply; but blamed
if some people ever larn anything till a
rope is round their necks-''
The leaders horse swerved violently to
one side, then came to a sudden halt, ut
tering a peculiar snort.
Bill Strong turned his gaze toward the
path ahead, and saw the limp figure of
child lying in the damp grass, almost
under the horses feet. He quietly dis
mounted, and still holding the rein of his
refractory animal, advanced and bent
over the Frustrated figure before him.
''Ill be hanged" he exclaimed, eff it
hain't little gall" And he lifted the
unconscious child in his strong arms and
turned her face toward the pale light that
was fast widening along the eastern
horizon.
"What is it?' asked the nearest horse
men, refining in their horses and gazing
in surprise at the leader.
Gifts leetle gal, bin lynn hyar in the
road, an she's in a dead faint, pore child ~
exclaimed Billy Strong, laying the child
down, and removing his coat and laying
her on it. Somebody give me-, has
anybody got a bottle with som'thin' re-
frehin' inside Nv it,"
"You bet, !" was the reply, as half
dozen bottles were extended.
''One is enough," he replied taking the
nearest bottle, and pouring some of the
fluid between the unconscious childs
lips"
"What's up? What's all this mean?
Who've ye got thar?" asked the other
men from the rear, who had just ridden
where. the little group was gathered
round