Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-03-10

jnrOuSn some cause, Whlch those who -epeated the tale did not properly understand.
 It had not occurred to her at the time that it was possible it could be Johns claim that was in danger.
 It seemed strange now that it did not But so full was her mind of thoughts of John himself, of their com- ng reunion, and of the future when they should all be together in the new nome, that there was no room for any thing else; and so she had scarcely heard the tale at all, or hearing it had | dismissed it at once with single eX- oreSsion of pity for the poor families who were to lose their ail-even as she and John had done back in the States through the greed of those who are not content wita what is justly theirs.
 But now she understood it.
 1t was John claim that was involved, and they had come two thousand miles 70 find a home and resting place, only to be dien to move on again ere they had shaken the dust of the long journey from their garments.
 els it the title to the place, Johno" she q slsed; Il know there is something terrible on your mind; something you are afraid to tell me. l ought to have seen it last night, but I didn't. l was so tired and so glad. that couldn't think of anything. Whatever it is, don't be afraid to tell me. I can bear anything, only so that we remain to- gether. And she put her arms around his neck and laid her head upon his bosom.
 Then John Parsons broke down and wept. The children came in and stood wondering and silent They knew something terrible had happened. or was about to happen, for, young as they were, they knew that men do not weep at the sc atch of brier; and they s:.v their father weep and saw their mother put up her hand and stroke his beard and face and whisper softly something they could not hear. but which they felt must be words of comfort that were sOrely needed.
 It was Erastus that broke the spell at last. He had been the first 10 rise and had gone out immediately to feed and rub down the horses; and returning had entered just in time to hear Mrs. Parsons speak of the title to the claim. Then he, too, remembered tho rumor which they had heard. and knew that it was true, and understood all that it meant to those who had been the only real friends he had ever known, and his young blood grew hot and for a moment he felt that he could kill the men who were the cause of so much suffering; and then there came great wave of affection for the friends who had given him all the love he had ever known, and, stepping forward, he said, in a tone of voice that gave weight to his words which his years would havo denied him:
 ToI @I, kI>s have gobbled this place. too, let them have it. There must be land some where that they don't claim, and if there is we'll find it, and make homo on it. I'm almost a man now. Uncle John. and I'll help you; so don't give up. It will be all right yet
 "Ics, John, cheer up. We will find q place to start again, somewhere, and all begin together,' said his wife, e. know, dear, how badly you feel. You havo built the house for us and havo thought so much about welcoming Us here that it is harder for you than for Us, who only saw it for the first timo last night.'
 II never knew it till just the otEer day." said John, striving 10 speak in his natural voice; "thcy told me when 1 bought the place that it was all straight, and tho courts had decided that nobody had claim on it that would hold but the settler; but it pears that the rich fellows that claim it raised heap of money and bribed Congris to reverse the thing. The other squatters got wind of it and had meetin' to sec about it. That was while I was at Sac ramento arrangin' with Joe fer your comin', and l never knowd anything about it till Bill Ritchie, who has tho next claim east. came over Thursday morn to tell mo that another meetin' } was to be held that afternoon to hear the report of the committee that had been sent to Frisco to find out if it was , true or no. And so 1 helped Bill to notify the neighbors, and we held the meetin' at Bills house, and the con- mittee was thar an they said we was } done for, sure enough; that Congris mad decided that the hull Suscol Ranch belonged to q few fellows that never struck a blow, nor turned sod, nor put up a shanty; and who never paid nobody fer doin' it, but claimed it be- cause some Spanish King or other once pretended to give it to some of his cro- nies before there was any United States or anything else on this continent but buffaler, and bars an Injins.
 , II ust to be proud of my country : he continued, "and was fond of sayin' that everybody stood an ekil chance here; but it ain't so. Nobody don't stand any chance except he is q raskil , and q coward into the bargin; stealth 'thout gettin' in front of the law. There ain't no doubt but that Congris was bribed. Our fellows have even learned where and when tho money was raised. and some of the Congrismep and Sen- ators who was bought to vote agin us; , but we can't prove nothing in court, fer everything works agin the poor man, who only wants justice, an in favor of the rich one that is seekin' to { rob him of his earnings; and if it wasn't ? for the wimin and children that mi ight be left wus off if their husbands and fathers wus killed, there would be a !, fight before some of us give up our claims''