The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-07-10

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~ along the narrow path, her breath
coming fast and hard, the long wet
grass swirling about her little bare
feet and ankles. Thoughts of wild
animals that might DO lurking in her
path filled her with s.ckening lear;
but she must not turn back-the face
of her sick father rose before her and
urged her on.
Every bush or shadow was construed
into ferocious animal; and the sud-
den croaking OF frog filled her with
a nameless terror. '
Presently the road grew dim and
indistinct-she had travelled for miles
how far she could not tell; but she
was growing tired and weak, and her
steps came slow and laborious.
''Oh,, it's so far, so far!" she cried.
her breath coming fast. "Oh, papa!
papa
She ate ed low scream Of terror
and half turned from the path; but it
was only night bird that flew within
a foot of her, with "whish" of rapid
wings, and disappeared in the dark.
ness.
The great stars rose higher and
higher in the purple sky; a faint,
ashy light stole up the eastern hori-
zcn, 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
the "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 Lee'll wish he'd obeyed the in
functions 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,
Billp"
'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 rail-
road company for the claims they had
settled upon. A large tract of land,
covering nearly three counties, had
been granted to the "Gulf Railroad
Company" and in order TO compel 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 con-
tract with the railroad company for
their claims, and when a squatter re-
fused to Obey this order, he was
dealt with in the most summary man.
| ner.
A month previous to the time of the
opening of this story, Amos Lee had
settled On Claim about three miles
from the old military road" and
erected a rude hoard shanty. A week
afterwards his wife died and left him
alone in his desc ate prairie home, with
only his little t. year old daughter
Annie, to keep h m company and share
his SORROW.
He then resolv, d to return to Mis-
souri,; but first h. contracted with the
railroad company for his claim, max
ing payment on the same.
This fact becoming known to thu
League" he wa at once notified tt
leave his claim within forty eight hours
or suffer tho consequences. But tn,
next day Amos lie had been stricken
down with typhoid fever, and the re
port reaching the League that he hat
failed to comply with their orders, I
band of armed men was at once dis
patched to the settlers cabin, with in
structions to MAKE an example" o
him.
"Hit's about time," continued Bill
Strong, "fer this yer League ter sto]
warnin' an orc ,rin' an go ter hang
in, an see if that won't have the mora
effect Nv stoppin' these fellers tina
contract with the land comply; bu
blamed if some people ever larn an.
thing till a rope is round their necks-'
The leaders horse swerved violentl
to one side, then came to suddde
halt. uttering 4 peculiar snort.
Bill Strong turned his gaze towar
the path ahead, and saw the limp fie
ure of child lying in the damp grass
almost under the horses feet. He quie,
ly dismounted, and still holding IN
rein of his refractory animal, advance
: and bent over the prostrate figure b.