Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-16
The ROGERS Farm.

Ian hOSers was squalter originally
on the lands of the Northwest Lumber
Company, and, as no one disturbed him,
he grew holder and kept extending the
fences that had framed in his shanty until
he had encompassed good many acres,
which were known finally as the Rogers
Farm. After a time he was elected JUS
tice of the Peace. Before he had been in
office year petroleum was discovered on
the bank Of the Tuna, and spectators and
land grabbers in mob rushed upon Hart
ford, roughly awakening the sleepy town.
The villagers were taxed to the utmost in
providing accommodation for the new
comers. Hotels were thrown together in
day, almost, and filed the first night, yet
the late arrivals could not secure lodging.
Dan Rogers, seeing an opportunity to
make money, built an extension to his
house. Naming the establishment the
Rogers House, he advertised it as a family
hotel. His rotund, jolly wife, Martha,
was landlady, and was assisted in her
duties by her daughter, Fanny, who had
turned 20, and was possessed OF pretty
| and yet Interesting face. Every room in
the Rogers House was soon taken, and
mother and daughter had their time fully
occupied.
Being the only Justice of the Peace in
the town, Squire Rogers was overrun with
| business, and was compelled to employ a
young lawyer to assist him with the writs
he was called upon to issue, and with the
deeds and leases he was requested to draw
| up. And in every way the fortunes of the
Rogers family were flourishing
| One summer evening David Wander
slice, an athletic young man from New
York, called at the Rogers House and
asked for a room. There happening to be
a vacant one, he was enrolled as one OF
the boarders. He had slight lisp, which
Fannie found pleasure in initiating for
her mothers amusement, but he was hand
some and agreeable, and soon she found
herself much in his company, often driv-
ing with him and accepting his escort to
the theaters and to balls.
Squire Rogers winked one day as he
said to his wife. 'Iou be goin' ter lose a
good hand in the kitchen eff you don't
watch out"
"Well, she won't be dom bad to Git
him p was Martha's reply.
| Nanderslice said nothing about his bust
ness in the oil country and no one asked
why ne sojourned there. He had been an
inmate Of the Rogers House about six
months when one morning Fannie saw 4
team, drawing wagon loaded with lum-
| Der, enter the meadow.
Some men were digging and shoyeling
| int ha Yali md ~,
| ;iOns for erecting derrick, she concluded
her father had determined to drill for
petroleum on the farm. When he came
home to dinner she said: 81 hope you
will strike oil, daddy"
He laughed and replied: "Well, it
seems ter me we hev. Don't yer see how
the house is dom? an ez fer the office, |
amt got hands enough ter look after it,
His wife put the matter in a more prac-
teal way. "llave you got partner in
the we'll in the meader?"
What dye mean ?'
81 seen the men workin an thought YOU
was goin' ter put down a WELL"
Fastening to the back porch, he saw
the men just quitting work for the noon
day meal. He ate his own in silence and
hastily, not an infrequent thing with him.
Leaving the table, he went upstairs and
took his rifle from the rack Of deer's ant
lers. 1t was long, double-barreled gun.
Looking carefully at the printing, he put
on fresh caps and went out OF the house bv
a side door. His way lay across the mea-
dow, and from his leisurely pace one might
have supposed he was going to practice at
target. When he reached the gap in the
fence, made to let the team in, he sat down
on stump and laid the rifle over his
knees. The day was cold and there was a
taste of snow in the air, yet he did not but
ton up his coat or notice that his hands
were growing purple in the raw wind.
| just before | o'clock man came out OF
the woods and was about to enter the
meadow. Squire Rogers leveled the gun
and shouted: "Haltw The laborer threw
up his hands.
'Where did you get the 'thority to work
in my meader?"
Jimmy Fiuke, the rig builder, hired
me-"
Jimmy been here ?" asked the Squire.
1es, answered the laborer, letting
his hands fall to a level with his pants
pockets.
Comm agin?''
"Ies."
We'll, you're discharged; you needn't
! Work here no more"
} ust then a man on horseback came up
and saluted the Squire as he rode toward
| the gap in the fence.
Better stop, Jimmy" said the Squire,
quietly, raising the rifle.
Why" inquired the rig builder.
Cause this thing might go off, and
you're trespassing, you know"
Jimmy dismounted and led the horse to
| the stump. what is all this muss about.
anyhow, Squire"
well, Teller hates to see his land
stole from him without making a fight fer
it."
'iSi9le?7 asked jimmy, in surprise.
Yes, stole. Who er you workin' fer ~
Benjamin Barr. He's got a lease of
the farm, and is goin' to drill for oil on
it."
oh he's got lease." The Squire
laid the rifle across his knees. 'IIe didn't
get one from me, an guess I'm bout the
.nan that oughter give it, hey?'
Il shonld think So but there's Barr now.
comm across the meadow"
"Walkin' Independent, too, just as if
he'd the right"
Before Barr, who was tall, well-dressed
man, reached the group, other laborers
had arrived and We're standing in 4 circle
around the man whom the Squire had
first nailed.
'iIow are you, 'Squire?" was Bars sa-
lutte.
''Pur;y well, thank you. was told you
he'd a lease OF my farm. Wonld yer mind
tellin' me who gave it to yer?"
Not in the least. got it from David
Nanderslice"
SWELL, fer independence that's hard to
beat; boardin' at my house, maxim up ter
my darter an givin' away my farm
The Squire laughed at his wit and,
with the exception of Barr, the Others
joined III his mirth. Barr frowned and
said: THE lawyer l retained to make an
abstract said Nanderslice had clear
title"
"Must be imaginary one or I'd heard
OF ii fore this"
Comes from tax sale. Nanderslice's
father bought lot of the Northwest Com
pany's land and this farm was in the sur
vey. leased it."
"De that as it NAV. / won't hey no RIG