The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-05-18
THE SQUATTER'S DAUGHTER.

posed the firm of Smith & Mason, deal
ers in general merchandise, at small
frontier point in Kansas. They were
cousins and young men in their twen-
ties, both moderately well-to-do and
both quite handsome.
Before coming to Kansas Frank and
Zeke had met young lady who was
attending school in their home town
in Ohio The young lady's name was
Grayson, and as she was both beauti-
full and accomplished the young men
fell desperately in love with her. For
several weeks they each paid atten-
tions to her, and though she treated
them both kindly it soon became ap-
parent that she had decided prefer
,ence for Frank.
Then the young men came west with
their small capital and started them
selves in business, and during the year
their store had been in existence they
had done well.
One night after the trade was ovel
and the customers had gone away
Frank said:
81 received some welcome.news to
day"
"What is it?" Zeke asked.
81 have a letter from q certain little
girl-you know who-and she says sht
is coming out to this part of the coun
try to live"
"What!" Zeke exclaimed. "Mis
Grayson coming here?"
THAT'S just.what she writes in he1
IoftoT ETo,,1- 1-ayDIia1 fo% i
er is somewhere in this section nov
gets located and puts up a house sh'
and the balance of the family will
come to him. So suppose they'll b.
here against fall"
There was sad, troubled look il
Zeke's face, and for little while h.
gazed silently at the floor. 1t wa
plain the subject was not pleasan
one to him and that sore spot in hi
heart had been touched. But fnall,
he spoke in quiet, steady voice, say
ing:
'That is welcome news to you, Frank
surely, and congratulate you"
| Il think / have reason to be congrat
ulated, Zeke," said Frank. "Alice is
woman to be proud of, and know sh
loves me-"
Eyes, I think she does, "replied Zeke
I'm certain of it Has she-ever-
Ever what?" Frank questioned
seeing that Zeke was not going on.
ever promised to marry you2" i
"No-o, not exactly" Frank admit
ted; "but I'm sure it's all right.
don't think she would come out her
but for that"
"Perhaps not" said Zeke. "You wi
help her father to get claim, {
course?"
why, yes, I'll do what I can fc
him. But aside from the river clail
down there, l can't figure out anythin
worth having right near this. III
good land is all taken up except ths
one piece, and l want that myself"
"But you have no right to it, Franl
and you can't hold it if some settle
disputes the matter with YOU"
Il know that, but I've held it yes
by 'bluffing, and rll continue to hol
it that way"
'Wen, you wouldn't attempt
bluff Miss Grayson's father, wou
youP"
81 don't know. I'd like to accor
modate him for her sake, but I'd ratl
er keep that claim for her and myself
Just at that moment the clatter of
horses feet were heard without and
little later.a man rode up to the sto
and dismounted. He was a settl
from the river district.
T "Why, Ike, said Zeke, "you're o
late tonight"
: "Yes," said the settler, rather lat
But | came after the DOCTOR"
"Who's sick?" Frank asked
81 don't know the man. He's
stranger who squatted on the riv
claim to-day. I was up the river tt
afternoon, and, riding back across t
claim, [ saw covered wagon ov
by the timber. So 1 went down th
way to see what it meant, and when
: got there found man in the wag
down with malaria. He seemed to
in bad fix and I thought he ought
| have DOCTOR"
i The doctor had gone out in the cot
i try, but within half hour he retuI
ed, and Immediately he and Ike set
to visit the squatter.
"Now that beats the nation" Fra
said, as soon as they were gone,
wonder who the old chap is that's b
u the gall to squat on my claim!"
. Il don't know" said Zeke. Il wonC
if he's needy"
"Ah, l suppose he is" replied Fral
coldly. "Those squatters are nea
always sick and needy"
Il suppose we should have WI
down there with Ike and the doctor
see if there wasn't something we col
o. do for the man." Zeke said. Like
not he is out of provisions"
<. "Well, let him be out" said Fral
"It isn't my business to trot arou
feeding men who jump my claim.
going down there tomorrow, but
- not going to inquire about his he al
I'm going to give him orders to me
on as soon as he is able to drive"
81 wouldn't do it, Frank. 1t is
right. You have no title to the clai
and if that man wants to enter it
has right to do So"
"Oh, so far as the law is concerl
vi he has right to it, of course But
9d selected that claim and l propose
have it."
"Do you think Alice Grayson wo
indorse such an act as you propC
Frank?"
"Why wouldn't she?"
suppose her father was simila
ms situated and some one drove him
e. Do you think she would be pleased
on "No-o, suppose not. But that
different thing"
"Not a bit Of it. It's just the sa