The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-07-24

- 7Sh7NaN''' iANef 90 Wv e1ANS''
A band of twenty mounted and armed
men were riding along the din 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, ~ reckon ole Lee'll
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. |
reckon it's hang this time, amt it, Billl'
"You bet,n 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 a
rude board shanty. A week afterward
his wife died and left him alone in his
dcsolate prairie home, with only his little
-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.
"Hits 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 comp'ny; 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 peculiar snort.
Bill Strong turned his gaze toward the
path ahead, and saw the limp figure of u
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 prostrated figure before him.
"I'll be hanged" he exclaimed, ''if il
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.
ckNhat is is2" asked the nearest horse.
men, refining in their horses and gazing
in surprise at the leader.
"hit. leetle gal, bin lyin' hyar in the
road, an she's in 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 bottle with som'thin' re
frehin' inside NV it?'
"You bet" was the reply, as half {
dozen bottles were extended.
cone is enough he replied taking thu
nearest bottle, and pouring some of tn,
, fluid between the unconscious child
lips"
T "What's up? What's all this mean
Who've We got tharl' asked the Other
: men from the rear, who had just riddeI
where the little group was gathered
round.
"a little gal, as I live" exclaimed
one of the men. How did she com
out hyar alone this time o the morningl' z
: "Dunno," was the reply; "but reckol
, Wen find out for she's comm round"
2 "Oh, papa, papa! where is my papaI
: came from the little girls lips, as sh
opened her eyes and saw the men clus
: tered about her,
"I'll be hanged if know, little un,
, answered Bill Strong, kindly, ''that'S jus
. what we wor goin' ter ask NV YOU"
"Oh, my poor papa my poor papa!
cried the child, and she began to wee
A bitterly.
Boys" said the leader, II guess wei
! halter put off our business with tn
squatter till we kin find this little gal
; pa" Then to the little girl: "There
J now, don't cry, an jist tell us whar ye
: pa is, an we'll take ye to him in jiffy.
: Between her sobs, the little girl the
told of her fathers illness, and how sh
l had been afraid he was going to die, an
4 she had started to Neutral City for
70 doctor.
"Gentlemen, said Bob Akers, 'I'll b
r. dad gummed if that little gal amt
y brick, an no mistake, an | say that
- man who's got a gal like that hain't
e bad man, an that little gals pa is Amc
Lee. saw her there when l went
, sarve the notice on him.
, A murmur of surprise ran through tn
crowd, and the speaker continued;
1 Gas fer as obeyin' the orders in tn
S ! LEAGUE | hain't uuthin' ter say apains