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

'Callie T called a mans weak voice
from within.
Dropping the basin OF water she
entered 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 z she
asked, approaching the couch, and
stroking the black hair away from
the hot brow with her cold, damp
fingers.
its almost time for you to go drive
Bossy, isn't il p he asked, looking up
tenderly in the child's face.
Yes, papa How are you feeling
now p
"A little easier. The fever is going
down slowly. You may give me
sup of water, then 90 and get Bossy.'
She gave him q drink in her own
little tin cup, the best drinking vessel
which their humble habi!ation afford
ed, then she ran back of the dugout
to where the horses were lariated on
the rank prairie grass.
Slipping the lariat rope of Dolly's
neck, Callie put bride over the
gentle creatures head, led her to the
side Of the ravine, jumped lightly to
a 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 immerged from little
thicket, fringing stream, a horseman
drew rein before her.
Hello, sissy 7 was his coarse greet
ing.
He was tall, stout-bullt, middle
aged man, with burly face and red
bristling hair and beard. He was
coarsely dressed, and wore immense
spurs attached to the heels of his
heavy boots. Altogether the man
presented anything but a pleasing ap.
pearance, and ii was very evident from
the expression which fitted across
Callie's countenance that the encounter
was disagreeable one to her.
Good morning, Mr.. Simmons, she
returned a little cody, starting her
pony around him.
'How's your pap?' he inquired,
keeping after her.
Hes having the chllls and fever
again. she replied, shortly.
1T can't be very healthy on your
claim. I'd try to persuade your pap
away if was you. You'd better
leave the 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 eli
mate. Go on, Bossy = she said to the
COW that had stopped to Craze.
Without looking behind her she
hurried away toward the dugout
leaving the man gazing after her with
an evil light in hls yelIowish gray
eyes.
THAT gals smart one, an will bt
"a hard one to head off, | RECKON, for 8
small one. But her dads bein' sick
gives me good time to strike if
can only git Jim Dawkins to help me
I'll go and see him and he rode rapid
ly away IN an opposite direction.
Abel Norris and his little daughter
Callie, the only remaining members O
his family, had came from Iowa tha
spring. The long journey had beer
made in large covered wagon, ant
they had settled on claim in South
east Kansan.
1t was in 1869, just after the fam
GUS Joy land excitement, and parts o
the country were entirely new and un
settled.
They had some trouble with Bill
Simmons, quarlsome character wh,
lived on Thunderbolt Creek, and wa
known as one of the worst agitator
among the anti-Joy settlers. He assert
ed prior claim to the land taken b.
Mr.. Norris. But there was not th
slightest evidence Of former occupan
cy, and Simmons being unable t
show title Of the land, Mr.. Norri
refused to give up the claim. Un
needing the threats of Simmons, h
went to work and constructed dug
out in the bank OF a deep ravine.
When Simmons saw that the ne'
settler was not so easily scared off b
false statement of former ownership
he had declared that he would orga
nize gang and set, Norris and hi
child out. But the man from low
was brave one, and paid no attentio
to the threats.
When Callie returned to the dug
out she MIXED the COW and prepar
ed little supper. After her simpl
household duties had been attende
to she sat down by her fathers couc
and famed him until he fell asleel
Then, going to the door of th
dugout, she looked out. Night ha
closed in over the prairies, and
thousand stars from the deep blu
vault above her seem smiling an
coquetting with the myriads of viii
flowers all around. A soft win
stirred the morning glory vines b
her side, then died away among. tt
wild indigo and rosin weeds dow
the ravine.
Poor papal' she said pityinl
as she gazed at his thin face, look
ing so pale and death-like in sleel
i must get some fresh water before