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


you was goin' to-
Il did nothing of the kindr'
Anger flashed from Nanderslices ewes,
and he spoke very quickly, for him.
"You her' said the Squire, bring his
fist down with thump on his desk.
Nanderslice leaped 10 his feet 'If you
were not an old man I'd stuff that down
your throat"
The lisp was completely crowded out of
his speech by the impetuous words.
Il was a good man onct, an the fiber
amt lost its spring yit. So you'd better
not git too sassy. Go over to the house an
git your duds an CO. If you're there at
supper time I'll throw you out, neck and
heels"
81 will do nothing of the kind. / have
paid for my board for week yet, and |
will stay until my time is up"
you can take yer chances"
Vanderslice did not reply, and went
noisily out of the Office
In the evening he was sitting in the par
lor of the Rogers House and conyersing
with Miss Page, one of the boarders. He
did not move when he heard the 'Squire's
heavy footballs on the floor, but little
Shrek from Miss Page caused him to look
around. He lodged, but was too late to
avoid a vigorous blow on the shoulder.
Didn't | tell you to git out ?" exclaimed
the angry landlord.
In an instant Nandersiice was on his feet
and forced the Squire against the wall
| He had raised his hand to strike when he
saw Fannie, pale and frightened, standing
before him and looking at him pleadingly
Releasing the Squire, he stepped back and
evaied the blow that the old man shot at
him. Fannie caught her fathers wrist,
and said to Nanderslice "Piease 60"
He bowed, and taking his hat, went out
into the street.
off you ever come back on these here
premises I'll shoot yer like dog" the
Squire called after him. Can feel like
slappin' yer face fer takin' the part of that
scoundrel,' he said to Fannie, lifting his
hand threateningly.
She looked at him fearlessly. sit wasn't
like you, daddy, to strike man when he
was settin' down and not lookin'"
The Squire lowered his head and walked
into the dining-room muttering. "The
earth is agin' me-"
| Nanderslice was very angry, and mud
died as WELL He could not give reason
for the 'Squire's cowardly attack on him,
as he knew he had not given away any
property that he had not the title TO. His
anger was not solely caused by the Squire
| blow, but by the fact that the old mans
attitude towards him would prevent his
seeing much of Fannie, in whom he was
becoming very deeply interested
His way lay toward farm house further
up the river. There Barr found him later
III the evening and describing the scene in
meadow notified him that he would hold
him to his contract.
y had 10 idea that the Rogers farm was
my property when ! leased the tract to
you, but if it is in the survey you shall
have it, or do not own it."
The next day Nanderslice drove down to
the county seat, and, employing sur
veyor, undertook to learn how much land
| he had title 10 IN the new oil country, and
| where it lay. In few days he was con-
WINGED that he owned the Rogers farm,
including the homestead and all other
buildings upon the place. Without any
| loss of time he retained an attorney and
directed him to bring suit for the eject.
ment OF Squire Rogers, who smiled grimly
| when the summons to appear and defend
TIE sui was served upon MIN.
The trial was DELAYED, carried over from
o2e term to another, and in the mean
while there was much gayety in the thirty
ing town. The young men-among whom
|anderslice was very popular-erected an
| amusement hall and gave a series of balls
during the winter. On these occasions
Fannie was always present, and as she was
| good dancer was in constant demand.
there being about two men to one woman
| in the building. As one of the floor COM
| mittee Nanderslice was enabled to see
something of her, although he was careful
| not to thrust his attentions upon her, never
asking her to dance with him as partner.
More than once Fannie had gone home
| from ball, thrown herself in her good
clothes on the bed and cried herself to
sleep.
1T last the trial came, and there was a
verdict in favor of Nanderslice. Squire
Rogers heard the foreman of the Jury an
| nounce their decision with stolid indifier-
ence. There We're yet two trials before the
matter would be definitely settled so far as
| the lower Court was concerned, provided
| the jury found for the defendant on the
second hearing, and there was the Supreme
Court, TO which an appeal could be had
When, however, a year later he sat in
his office with the yellow slip of paper on
which was written a telegram from his
lawyer, he CRASHED his teeth and deep
lines grooved his face "Lost the case"
was the blunt statement Of the attorney,
and for a long time the Squire sat with
his head bowed. The loss of the home did
not leave him poverty-stricken, for in the
three years of prosperity he had laid by
snug sum in the bank, but his spirit
writhed in the knowledge of defeat.
Nothing in his life was ever so bitter to
him, and he determined to fight with his
owa hands for the retention Of the home,
of which, with its long wing and broad
piazza, he was so proud. His clerk de-
handed his attention TO some acknowledge
ments Of deeds. When the formal execu-
ton OF the papers was made he retired to
his private Office again, where Fannie
found him long after the supper hour, his
head resting on his arms, which were
crossed like a tired schoolboy's on the desk.
Thinking him asleep she gently pushed his
arms.
Il amt sleepin' an knowed it was sup
per time, but ! amt eatin'. I'm goin' ter
git up an appetite fer Nanderslice when
the coward passes the house, goin' home
tonight. Pm goin' to kill him; Pm waitn'
fer MS step now"
did You lose at the Supreme Court,
daddy ?''
'Yes, he beat me an Pm goin' ter git
square. You'd better run home now"
He did not look up all the time she
stood beside him, running her fingers
lightly through his gray hair and revolv-
ing plan to prevent him from commit
ting murder.
The light of a neighbours gasjet across
the street was reflected from The barrels of
her fathers rifle. 1t was behind him and
in reach OF his arm and of hers. Steady
ing herself on her feet, she continued her
caressing touch, and, exerting all her
strength, lifted the rifle with the disen-
gagged hand.
''fm goin', daddy. know you won't
do anything as bad as KILN man."
Yes, l WILL, he replied, doggedly.
She had moved while she spoke, and
swung the weapon around in front of her.
He had no; stirred, but her escape de-
pended on not letting the butt strike the
floor heavily. Slowly, geryously she