St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-01-30
de on, but found the agent not yet in

rode on, but found the agent not yet in
his office:
The man who served as janitor, motto
ing the little girls look of disappoint-
ment, and guessing that her business was
very important, kindly offered to take
her to the hotel where the agent
boarded.
The agent had just finished his break
fast when they reached the hotel. Is
corting Cailie to the parlor, he listened
with sympathy to heI simple story.
tract, she said, finishing her story; but
thought maybe you'd take this money
and hold the contract for us-for Papa,
| mean. DO please keep our claim for
us, and don't let those bad men get it..
Both times Papa was coming to see you
about the claim he was taken down sick
with chiIIs and fever. He will have more
money to pay you in q few weeks. tie
sold lot of cattle back in Iowa, before
we moved to Kansas"
Taking her back to his Office the agent
wrote out a receipt for the $3.50, saying:
"'llere, YOU keep this recei pit, and take it
to Your papa, and as soon as he is able
tell him TO come to town to see me. Do
not worry. Your brave ride has secured
the claim to your father
Callie had Just taken the receipt from
the agent hand, when Bill Simmons and
his ally, with flushed faces and polluted
breath, rushed into the office. As they
stalked toward the agents desk, neither
of them noticed the little girl who shrank
away with fear and loathing.
The agent, with queer smile on his
face, made apretense of respectful at
tention as Simmons stated his business.
'There, " said Simmons, laying a roll
of bills on the desk, sis the spondulix
topay for the contract. Fix it up as
soon as you can, for there's mean Teller
from Ioway, who's tryin' to git the
claim away from me an my pardner
here"
You state there are no improvements
on the claim, remarked the agent.
"Ihere's no Improvements, 'ceptin' a
little dugoutwhere me an Jim here lives"
returned Simmons.
IL have been informed differently, re-
plcu the agent.
"Whoever has told you different from
my account, lies, that's all.' Simmons
cried, holly.
Il happen to be pretty fair Judge of
human nature, and | would be willing,
were it necessary, to stake the entire
State of Kansas on the truthfulness of
my informant"
"Well, now who Informed vou?" de-
the half-intoHicated Summons.
"She,' and the agent pointed to Callie
who stood in the farthest corner of the
office, almost fearing to stir. Having
outwitted her fathers enemies, h:r
strength seemed to have suddenly for
saken her
1.-The dickens.'' cried the surprised Sim
mons. Its ole Norriss gall" and he let
fall horrid oath.
yes, returned the agent, his queer
smile broadening; 'you are too late.
This little girl told me her story first, and
has secured the contract for the claim in
question. You are outwitted; and | may
rs well assure you right here that our
county is not in need Of your citizenship.
| wish you good morning, gentlemen"
With mock dignity the agent dismissed
the chagrined plotters, who staIked out
Of the office with discounted looks.
mounted their horses and rode rapidly
down the street
Calle reached the dugout safe, under
he escort of a man sent by the agent to
inspect a piece Of land near her fathers
claim.
Caliie's dauntIess courage and triumph
acted as q powerful tonic on the sick
nan, and he recovered his health rapidly.
When he received payment for the
stock sold before leaving his former home
Abel Norris went to the land office and
brought back Il title to the claim.
Simmons and Dawkins left the country
md took up their abode somewhere in
he Indian Territory.
Norris claim proved valuable for its
inc coal deposits and brought him u snug
amount Of money.
Callic, now a refined, educated woman,
ives III Southeastern Kansas in com
ortable home of her own; but she has |
lot forgotten the old dugout and the
light she rode to Fort Scott to save her |
ather's claim - New York Independent. |