St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-01-30
SECURING THE CONTRACT.
BY A. II. GIBSON.

A slender girl about twelve years old,
| with dark hair and eyes, was watering
some thirsty morning-glory vines, which
she was trying to train up the sides of
her dugout home.
"Callie!' called mans weak voice
from within.
Dropping the basin of water, she en-
tered the dugout. On homemade bed
in one corner lay man Of about thirty
nine years, his face was flushed with
fever
"Do you want anything, Papa?" she
asked, approaching the couch, and
stroking the dark hair away from the
hot brow with her cold, damp fingers.
"It's almost time for you to go and
drive up Bossy, isn't it:'' he asked, look
ing up tenderly into the child's face.
Eyes, Papa. How are you feeling
now?"
"a little easier. The fever is going
down slowly. You may give me sup
of water, then 60 and get Bossy'
She gave him drink in her own little
tin cup, the best drinking vessel which
their humble habitation afforded, then
she ran out back Of the dugout to where
the horses were lariated ON the rank
prairie grass.
Slipping the lariat rope off Dollv's
neck, Callie put a bride on the gentle
creatures head, led her to the side of a
ravine, jumped lightly to seat on her
back, and dashed away across the
prairie.
The sun was just setting when she
found the COW and started her toward
home. AS she emerged from little
thicket, fringing stream, a horseman
drew rein before her.
"Hello, sissy" was his coarse greet
ing.
He was tall, stoutly- built, middle
aged man, with burly face and red
bristing hair and beard He was coarse
ly dressed, and wore immense spurs at
tached to the heels of his heavy boots
Altogether the man presented anything
but pleasing appearance, and it was
very evident from the expression which
fitted across Callies countenance that
the encounter was disagreeable one to
her.
Good morning, Mr. Simmons" she re-
turned little coolly, starting her pony
around him.
"How's your pap" he inquired, keep
ing after her.
"Hes having the chills and fever
again, she replied, shortly.
ut can't be very healthy on your
claim. Id try to persuade your pap
away, if | was you. You'd better leave
sthe claim anyway"
But guess we won't for we like our
claim, she returned, with flashing eyes.
"Pap says he will have better health
when he gets used to the climate. Go
on, Bossy." she said to the COW that had
stopped to Craze.
Without looking behind her she hur-
ried away toward the dugout, leaving the
man gazing after her with an evil light
in his yellowish gray eyes
'That gals smart one, an will be
hard one to head off. 1reckon, for q small
one. But her dads bein' sick gives me
a good time to strike, if | can only git
Jia Dawkins to help me. LII 60 an see
him." and he rode rapidly away in anop-
posite direction.
Abel Norris and his little daughter
Callie, the only remaining member of
his family, had come from Iowa that
spring. The long journey had been
made i'll large covered wagon, and they
had settled on a claim in Southeastern !
Kansas.
This was in 1869, just after the fam
Gus Joy land excitement, and parts of |
the country were entirely new and un-
settled.
They had some trouble with Bill Sim
mons, quarrelsome character who lived |
on Thunderbolt Creek and was known as
one of the worst agitators among the
settlers. He asserted a prior
claim to the land taken by Mr.. Norris.
But there was not the slightest evidence
OF former occupancy, and Simmons be-
ing unable to show u title to the land
Mr.. Norris refused to give up the claim.
Cnheeding the threats of Simmons, he
went to work and constructed dugout
in the bank of a deep ravine.
When Simmons saw that the new set
tier was not SO easily scared off by false
statements of former ownership, he had
declared that he would organize gang
and set Norris and his child out. But
the man from Iowa was brave one, and
paid no attention to the threats.
When Callie returned to the dueout
she MIXED the COW and prepared little
supper. After her simple household
duties had been attended to she sat down
by her fathers couch and famed him
until he fell asleep.
Then, going to the door of the dugout,
she looked out. Night had closed in over
the prairies, and thousand stars from
the deep blue vault above her seemed
smiling and coquetting with the myriads
IF wild flowers all around A soft wind
stirred the morning glory vines by her
side, then died away among the wild in
1igo and rosin weeds down the ravine.
Poor Papa she said, pityingly, as
she gazed at his thin face, looking so
pale and death-like in sleep Il must
get some fresh water before / go to sleep,
so he can have a good, cold drink when
ne wakes up
So saying she took small tin bucket
and quietly stole from the dugout, about
hree hundred yards from which a clear
little spring issued from the rocky side
,f the ravine.