Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-08-07
THE DEFENSE.


THE DEFENSE.
Nehemiah Strong, 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 sovereignty
troubled Nehemioh but little. He was
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 clearing and built
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 yer,
positive or available law, they did moi
hesitate to take the management of af
fairs into their own hands. A few reck
less men would thus, by combining for &
common purpose, rule a great number d
more timid or more respectable people
driving them from their houses, or deal
ing with them as they would.
Strong, Notwithstanding his blameles
life and gentle religion, did not long es
cape these vultures of the west. His'homt
attracted the notice of a Desperate namsl
Bob Bellows, who determined to possess
it, inaspyuch as it was easier than build
ing house for himself, or perhaps driv
ing away more determined man. BE
sides the honest Quaker hadnot forgotten
wheat. potatoes, corn and other provision,
for comfortable winter, which season
was now approaching, although still quit,
distant.
Accordingly, one day, Bob Below,
armed TO the teeth. and locking especially
ferocious, rode up to the cabin and ineuir
for the owner The Quaker CHANGED to b'
inside at the momant sndauietly 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.
wal, yes growIed the ruffian. g
thought I'd ride over and.see what in thu
old boy you a gone and set your houee OF
my land for. That's all 1 wanted ter Sc,
We fer!''
''Thee is mistaken returned Eehe
miah. ''Tnis land belongs solely to me
one Nehemiah Strong, thy humble ser
want"
"YouiEe!' was the r1oinder; this il
my land, and now, as yer shaDty is stucl
on here, aest in the place whar was gein
to put my own, I'll be easy with yer. ant
say nothin about the law. if yell jest gee
out eff here and beyond sight and herin
tomorrey mornin' What dye say tt
that"
Verify. believe thee villain'' re.
turned Nehemiah, finding that he was sss
to be immediately eaten upOr 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 depar
thus. Thee has no right or title here, to MY
knowledge. II Il ee has, produce it, ant
I will depart freely
Look We, Old robber!" hissed the des
perado. II hev claim here | sarvayec
this Iaad ten years ago and made my
marks. If you have cut them down, it'll
be all the wus for We. I've plenty of wit
nesses who know about it, and | needn't
tell thee tbs bad scrape tew be guilty Of
cutting away yer neighbors' landmarks
Now shall be here to-morrer mornin'
and if We know when yer we'll off, you d
better not he here at the same time!"
With this unmistakable threat the out
law turned and rode away, leaving the
Quaker in nc enviabie frame of mind.
We might have said before, although il
may be quite as well to say here, that
Strong's family consisted of his wife and
two daughters, with 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
of natural life and decision, quite unlike
the daughters of meek Quaker would
naturally become.
They. with their mother. middle-aged,
gentle woman, who strove hard to live as
peaceable as the tenets of her faith requir-
ed. gathered about the husband and father.
The latter shrann 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 rascal of utter dye, who will not hesi-
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 IN
consultation during the night, and when
new descended from the loft Ruth drew
Ier father aside.
What wilt thou do father, if those
sad men Gomez" she asked.
verify, know not, he replied. Il
have studied upon the matter all night, but
- i E. l-o,,, G.rod LIE thor. in.i IL