West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-07-04

'shScless 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 NJ
the party, addressing one OF the men t,,st,
rode by his side, ~ reckon ole \ .ssn
wished he'd obeyed the iniunctionss =
the League when he sees us comin'.''
SneSs 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 II. Bni7n
You bet, and the speaker shook
rope thai dangled significantly from the
horn of his saddle. ~
IL was during those terrible DAYS in the
history of Southeastern Kansas. when the
local warfare was carried on bv 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
hailroad Company" and in order 10 com.
pei the company 20 sell the land to
settlers at the regular Government price,
inc 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 ard
wnen 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 claim about three miles from
the old military road" and erected n
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 keen
nm company and share his sorrow.
He then resolved to return to Missouri,
but first he contracted with the railroad
company for his clairi making a payment
on the same.
Ihs fact becoming known Go the
League, he was at once notified TO leave
his claim within forty eight hours, or suf-
fer the consequences But the next dav
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 ut once dispatched to the settlers
cabin, with instructions 70 make an
''example" Of him,
Hits about time" continued Biu
Strong ''fer this yer League ter stop
warnin' an orderin' an 90 ter hanoin'
an see if that won't have the moral Of.
feet NV stoppin' these felIcrs that con.
tract with the land comply; but blamed
II some people ever larn anything till
rope is round their necks-n
The leaders horse swerved violently TO
one side, then came to a sudden halt, ut
tering peculiar snort.
Bill Strong turned his paze toward the
path ahead, and saw the limp figure of a
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.
"l'll he hanged" he exclaimed. "if il
haint 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 i5l' asked the nearest horse
men, refining in their horses and gazing
in surprise at the leader
Hits leetle gal, bin lyin' hyar in the
road, an she's in q dead faint, pore child %
exclaimed Billy Strong, laying the child
down, and removing his coat and layino
her on 1t. Somebody give ne, has
anybody got a bottle with m'thin' re-
frehin' inside uv itl"
"You bet, " was the reply, as half
dozen bottles were extended
zone is enough" he replied taking the
nearest bottle and pouring some of the
fluid between the unconscious childs
lips. d"
whats upl 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
"a little gal, as / livel" exclaimed
one Of the men. How did she come
out hyar alone this time o. the morning7r
''Dunno," was the reply; sbut reckon
wen find ont for she's comm round. -
''Oh, papa, papa where is my papal"
came from the little girls lips, as she
opened her eyes and saw the men clus-
tered about her.
"Ill be hanged if know, little un, ."
answered Bill Strong, kindly, 'thats Just
what we wor goin ter ask NV YOU"
'Oh, my poor papa! my poor papar'
cried the child and she BEGAN to weep
bitterly.
Boys, said the leader, 81 guess well
halter put of our business with the
squatter till we kin find this little Gals
pa" Then 70 the little girl: "There.
.R,w, don't cry, an jist tell us whar yer
=. is, an Ue'll take We to him in a iiffy."
Between her sobs, the Httle girl then
told Of her fathers illness, and how she
had been afraid he was going to die. and
she had started 10 Neutral City for
doctor.
Gentlemen, said Bob Akers. 'Ii be /
dad gummed If that little Gal amt n
brick, an no mistake, an' / say that a
man who's got a gal like that haint q
bad man, an that little gals pa IS Amos .
Lee / saw her there when J went to
sarvc the notice on him
a murmur Of surprise ran through the
crowd, and the speaker continued.
CAS- fer as obcyin' the orders i'm the
League, I hain't nuthin' ter say against
&C., and go can all go ahead an do as Won
ulrnen with Amos oo hat ff or., go.