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


Dawkins. You're sure there's coal
here?'
Yes; I've prospected all along the
ravine before old Norris came out to
this kentry. l tell you, Jim, for a
fact, the whole place is underlaid
with coal. There's fortune in it for
the owner, an the railroads. comm
near here, and will make easy trans
portation, assured Simmons.
Does old Norris know there's coal
on his claim?'
Don't think he does. You know
he's been sick most of the time since
he come into the kentry, an he amt
had much time to look around
No, be haln't been here long. But
how do you propose gittin' the claim
away from him? asked Dawkins.
Contract ahead of him..
fHain't he contracted for the claim
yet?'
NO.
"A re you sure, Bill?'
I've been watching the land Office
put close, an / know Norris hain't
got contract yet for this land
why don't you contract for the
claim yourself, without askin' my
help? asked Dawkins a little sus'
piciousiy.
Simply because l hain't got money
nough to pay for gittin' ike contract,
replied Simmons. i have bout half
enough, I recon. Buf you have
plenty of spondullx, Jim, an kin help
me if you will. We kin ride over to
Fort Scott an git contract writ out
for this claim before ole Norris kin
help himself. He's down with the
shakln' ager, his little gal says, SO we
have the best chance in the world
How soon can we be ready to start
for Scott to get the contract? | want
to start to Missouri tomorrow
III tell you wot we kin do. Wen
start to Scott before sunrise, git the
agent to attend to our business early,
then you kin go right on to Missoury.
I'll ride back to the Thunderbolt an
muster up gang to help me set ole
| Norris off of the claim
i THE very thing, Bill; I'm with
YOU. an will furnish you all the
money you need
They rode away in the darkness,
leaving Callie alone by the spring to
think over all she had heard.
HE shan't get papa's claimP she
cried, her eyes flashing resolutely,
as she returned to the dogout. Pa
pas been going to see the agent about
the contract twice, and both times he
been taken sick. It's too badP
On reaching the dogout she found
her father awake, so she told him
about the conversation which she had
overheard between Simmons and
Dawklns.
80 this is valuable coal claim,
is it, and Simmons has been pros
, pecting on it?' Norris repeated
when Callie had finished. That ac'
counts for Bill Simmons great effort
, to scare me off the land. And he ano
Jim Dawkins are going to take ad'
, dantage of my sickness and contract
under me, are they? Early to.mor
row morning! Why, we have nj
[ chance at all, Callie. They will gel
the claim from us in spite of all We
can do, he said desoondently.
No they won't papl There's
r chance yet, cried Callie, spring to hel
feet.
t Il know, If was able to ride aheao
, of them to the land Office, said Nor
/ ris, with groan. But I'm too veal
to travel that far if the price was th'
whole of Kansas. Well have to lie
the villains have it Callie. A sicl
t man can't fight his enemies.
But we won't we let them have i
papa. ! can ride Dolly to the lane
/ office and tell the agent about it.
0 1t is too long ride for you, m.
! child said the sick man. Besides
5 nv presence would be necessary t.
secure the contract; then ] haven
Y money enough to pay down. There
Q only $3.50 under the rock.
: I'll tell you papa, she criedeagerl.
o Let me take that to the land agent
s tell him the story, and maybe he'l
i. heep the claim for us till you can pa
Q the rest. Do let me try. 1t will do n
; harm, and l may save your claim.
can start on Dolly long before day
" light and beat Bill Simmons and Jir
v Dawkins to Fort Scott. You mus
}, let me go papa.
: She was only little girl, and
IS was fifteen miles to the land Office
a 1t seemed a difficult, fruitless under
n taking for her to try to outwit tw
bold, reckless men, who are 80 oh
: stinately bent an getting the clair
: away from them.
e Callie went over the situation yer
d carefully with her father. At las
b seeing how determined she was o
D. trying to save the claim, he gave
e reluctant consent to her going.
d She began making preparations fc
a her journey, which were soon con
le pleted. Then seating herself by he
4 fathers couch she listened very at
d tentively to his instructions.
d The moon came up soon after mic
" night. Its light would relieve he
le long, lonesome ride.
MI Taking the $3.50 from beneath
lIarra Aot rock hu har fathar's haf