Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-08-15

the little giri, tired and pale from
her sleepless night and long ride
urged Dolly forward down tn
smooth dusty road. Some mer
were already at work, breaking rocl
to repair bad place in a deep ugl.
hollow, across which one of th,
leading streets Of the growing 2 towr
must pass.
Hating Dolly, she inquired th,
way to the land Office. The meu
exchanged peculiar glauces, but one
of them pointed out the building
where the land agent had his Office,
Thanking him for the information
she rode on, bnt found the agen,
was not yet in his Office.
The man who served as janite.,
noticing the little girls look Of dis.
appointment, and guessing that he,
business was very important, kind.
ly offered TO take her to the hotel
where the agent boarded.
The agent had just finished his
breakfast when they reached the
hotel. Escorting Callie to the par
lor, he listened with sympathy to
her simple story.
Papa said couldn't get the con-
tract she said, finishing her story; /;
'but l thought maybe you'd take
this money and hold the contract
for us-for papa, I 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 chills and fever.
He will have more money to pay
you in few weeks. He sold q 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
two hundred and fifty dollars, say
ing:
Here, you 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 to your father, my child
Callie had just taken the receipt
from the agents's hand, when Bill
Simmons and his ally, with flushed
faces and polluted breath, rushed
into the office. AS they stalked to-
wards the agents desk neither of
them noticed the little girl, who
shrank away with fear and loath-
ing.
The agent, with queer smile on
his face, made q pretence of res
pectful attention as Simmons stated
his business.
There said Simmons, laying o
roll of bills on the desk, SIS the spon-
dulix to pay for the contract. Fix
it up as soon as you can, for there
is a mean fellow from Ioway who's
trying to get :he claim away from
me and my pardner here, if he can.'
you state there is no improve
ments on the claim remarked the
agent.
There's no improvements 'cep-
tim little dugout where me aad
Jim here lives,' returned Simmons.
Il have been informed different
ly,' replied the agent.
Whoever has told you different
from my account lies, that's all 2
cried Slmmons hotly.
Il happen to be a pretty fair
judge of human nature, and | would
be willing, if necessary, to stake the
entire State of Kansas on the truth
fulness of my informant
'Well, now, who informed you p
demanded the half-intoxicated Sim
mons.
She ! and the agent pointed to
Callie, who stood in the farthest
corner of the office, almost fearing
to stir. Having outwitted her ia
theirs enemies, her strength seemed
to have suddenly forsaken her.
The dickens ? cried the sur
prised Simmons 'It's old Norris
gal . and he let fell 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 l may as
well assure you right here that our
country is not in need of your citi-
zenship. / wish you good morn
ing, gentlemen
With mock dignity the agent dis