Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-02-02

With strangely throbbing heart the
little girl, tired and pale from her
sleepless night and long ride, urged
Dolly forward down the smooth dus-
ty road.
Some men we're already at work
breaking rock to repair bad place
in deep, ugly hollow across which
one of the leading streets OF the grow
ing town must pass.
Hauling Dolly she inquired the
way TO the land Office. The men ex-
changed peculiar glances, but one of
them pointed out building where the
land agent had his Office.
Thanking him for the information
she rode on but found the land agent
not yet in his Office.
The man who served as janitor
noticing the little girls look of dis
appointment, 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
breakfast when they reached tie
hotel. Escorting Callie to the parlor
he listened with symathy to her sim
pie story.
Papa said couldn't get the con.
tract she said, finishing her story,
but thought maybe you'd take this
money and hold the contract for US
papa, I mean. Do please keep our
claim for us, and don't let these bad
men get it. Both times papa was
coming to see'y you about the claim be
was taken down sick with chills and
fever. He will have more money to
pay you in a few weeks. He sold a
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,
say ing: Here keep this receipt, and
take it to your papa, and as soon as
he is able tell him to come to town
and see me. Do not worry. Your
brave ride has secured the claim tc
your father"
Callie had just taken the receipt
from the agents hand, when Bill SIM
mons 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 a queer smile or
his face, made pretense OF respect
full attention as Simmons stated hi'
business.
There, said Simmons. laying
roll of bills on the desk, rs the spon
dulIx to pay for the contract. Fit !
up as soon as you can, for there's
mean feller from Iowa, who's tryln' t.
git the claim away from me an m.
pardner here.
You stated there are no improve
ments on the claim, remarked tn
agent.
There's no improvements, ceptln
little dugout where me an jim her
lives returned Simmons.
i have been informed differently
replied the agent.
Whoever has told you differen
from my account, hes, that's all
Simmons cried, hotly.
Il happen to be a pretty fair ludg
of human nature, and | would b
willing were it necessary, to stake tn
entire state OF Kansas on the truthful
ness of my informant.
well, now, who informed you
demanded the half-intoxicated Sim
mons.
She I and the agent pointed t
Callie who stood in the farther corne
of the office, almost fearing to still
Having outwitted her fathers en'
mics, her strength seemed 10 nav
suddenly forsaken her.
The dickens + cried the surprise
Simmons. It's old Norris gall an
he let fall horrid oath.
Yes returned the agent, his quet
smile broadening; 'you are too lat
this little girl told me her story frs
and has secured the contract for tt
claim in question. Youare outwitte
and / may as we'll assure you rigl
here that our county is in no need
your citizenship. | wish you gooe
morning, gentlemen
With mock dignity the agent di
missed the chagrined plotters, WI
stalked out of the Office with discon
! fited looks. mounted their horses an
rode rapidly down the street.
Callie reached the dugout safe, III
der the escort of man sent by tt
agent to inspect a piece OF land ne'
her fathers claim
: Callie's dauntleSs courage anu tr
umph acted as a powerful tonic on Il
sick man, and he recovered his heal
: rapidly. ),
When he received payment for Il
| stock sold before leaving his form
home, Abel Norris went to the lar
Office and brought back title to tl
claim,
. Simmons and Dawkins left Il
country and took up their abo'
: somewhere in Indian territory.
Norris claim proved valuable t
: its fine coal deposits and brought hi
r a snug amount of money.
Call1e, now a refined, educate
woman, lives In Southeastern Kans
In a conofnrtah hia home of her Ow