Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-07-18

L
" 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 be lurking in her
path filled her with sickening fear;
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 filed 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, 50 far!' she cried.
her breath coming fast '.Oh, papa!
papa"
She altered a low scream of terror
and half turned from the path; but it
was only a 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; q faint.
ashy light stole up the eastern hori-
zon. 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 a 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, Il 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.,
Bill?"
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 a claim about three miles
from the old military road" ani
erected a rude board shanty. A week
afterwards his wife died and left hin
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 Mis-
souri,; but first he contracted with the
railroad company for his claim, max
ing a payment on tho same.
This fact becoming known to thu
League" he was at once notified tt
leave his claim within forty eight hour:
or suffer the consequences. But thu
next day Amos Lee had been stricken
down with typhoid fever, and the re
port reaching the League that he hai
failed to comply with their orders. &
band of armed men was at once dis
patched to the settlers cabin. with in
structions to make an example" o
him.
Hits about time" continued Bill
Strong. ''fer this yer League ter stol
warnin' an orderin' an 60 ter hang
in, an see if that won have the mora
effect uv stoppin' these fellers tina
contract with the land comp'ny; bu
blamed if some people ever larn any
. thing till a rope is round their necks-'
The leaders horse swerved violently
D to one side, then came to a suddder
. halt. uttering a peculiar snort.
Bill Strong turned his gaze TOWARD