Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-07
THE DEF EN- > e.

New orleans Times Democrat.
THE DEFENSE.
Nehemiah Strong, a jealous and faith
full Quaker, was smitten with the west
ern fever some years since. and finally re-
moved to the regions where 'squatter
sovereignty" was being experimental up
on. But squatter or any other sOverei gnty
troubled Nehemioh but little. He was a
man true to his creed, and wherever his
lot might be cast, there would he live in
peace and quiet with his fellow men. The
proper location was soon found, and when
Nehemiah had made a clearing and built
a log house, he was monarch of all that he
surveyed and staked. But Strong was MOI
allowed long to remain In peaceable pos
session. Bolder and more evil men lived
In those western regions than he had ever
before met, and in the absence OF any very
positive or available law, they did not
hesitate to take the management OF af-
fairs into their own hands. A few reck-
less men would thus, by combining for q
common purpose, rule great number of
more tImld or more respectable people,
driving them from their houses, or deal
ing with them as they would
Strong, Notwithstanding his bIameless
life and gentle religion. did not long es-
cape these yuItues of the west His home
attracted the notice of desperate named
Bob Bellows, who determined to possess
1t, lnaSmuch as 1T was easier than build
ing a house for himself, or perhaps driv-
ing away a more determined man. Be-
sides the honest Quaker had not forgotten
wheat, potatoes corn and other provisions
for a comfortable winter which season
was now approaching, attn ough still quite
distant
Accordingly, one day, Bob Bellows
armed to the teeth, and looking especially
ferocioua, rode up to the cabin and inquir-
for the owner. The Quaker CHANGED to be
inside at the momant and quietly answer
ed the summons.
Does thee wish to see me?' he asked
gazing upon the intruder with some de-
gree of alarm, Notwithstanding his peace
full nature.
oval, yes growled the rufian. Il
thought I'd ride over and see what in the
old boy you'd gone and set your house on
my land for! That's all wanted ter see
we fer!'
Thee is mistaken returned Nehe
miah. This land belongs solely to me
one Nehemiah Strong, thy humble SER
want.
You lie!" was the rejoinder; ''this is
my land, and now. as yer shanty is stuck
on here, jest in the place whar | was goin
to put my own, II be easy with yer, and
say nothin about the law, if yell Jest get
out eff here and beyond sight and herin
tomorey mornin'. What dye say to
that. :"
Verify, believe thee villain!" re-
turned Nehemiah finding that he was not
to be Immediately eaten up or run through
This is my home. and the home of my
family; yet thee seeks to turn me from it,
and leave myself and family to starve
Nay | cannot constrain myself to depart
thus. Thee has no right or title here, to my
knowledge. If Il ee has, produce it, and
! will depart freely"
Look ye old robber!" Kissed the des-
perado. Il hev a claim here. | sarvayed
this land ten years ago and made my
marks. lfyou have cut them down, it
be all the wus for We. I've plenty of wit
nesses who know about it, and | needn t
tell thee It's a bad scrape tew be guilty of
cutting away yer neighbors' landmarks.
Now shall be here to-morrer morn n,
and if We know when yer well off, you d
better not be here at the same time,'
With this unmistakable threat the out
law turned and rode away, leaving the
Quaker in no enviabe frame of mind.
We might have said before, although it
may be quite as we'll to say here. that
Strong's family consisted of his wife and
two daughters, with a son, Mark, about II
years OF age. The daughters, hearty
buXum girls of % and 20 years each, nam
ed respectively Ruth and Naomi, were full
At 20 Il
the daughters of a meek Quaker would
natu ally become.
They, with their mother. middle-aged.
gentle woman. who strove hard to live as
peaccable as the tenets of her faith reouir-
The latter shrank upon chair, seeming
quite discouraged and disheartened by the
event which had just occurred.
Verify, know not the proper course
to pursue" he monaed. II can't afford
to leave this house and the growing crops
smiling upon us with the promise of sus
tenance for the winter. | fear this villain
Is a rascal Of utter dye, who will not hest
tate at bloodshed. 1t may be best to go
yet must remain for time.
An anxious night was passed, and very
early the next morning all hands were
astir. The sisters bad been engaged IL
consultation during the night and wher
ney descended from the loft Ruth drew
Ser father aside.
What wilt thou do father, if those
9ad men Gomez" she asked.
Verify, know not" he replied. -
have studied upon the matter all night, but
my mind is far from fixed If they insist
upon it | suppose we shall be obliged t.
fee: our religion does not allow US to fight
with carnal weapons.
LET us manage that, father the girls
insisted. Truly we cannot fight, for W,
have no worldly weapons; but | think, i
we are not sadly mistaken. we can Undue,
these outlaws to go their own way
Il pray that though may st, my daugh
ter the father returned, though l know
not how women can persuade such fearful
beings"
But thou wilt leave the matter to Ma
onli and myself if they Gomez"
''Yes daughter, y was the reluctant as
sent, thee can have thy way, but pra
thee, do nothing rashly.'
The maiden went her way, well salts
tied, and in short time had vlgoreu
kettle over the fire, containing a sma
quantity of water. When this wa