The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-25
BEN FARGO'S CLAIM.

New Boston CLARION in its first issue, I'VE
learn that Ben Fargo's claim has been
jumped again. Ben's return is expected to
morrow. and we predict that he will attend
to the eviction in his usual prompt and
thorough Manners
No fault could have been found with this
item, except, perhaps. that it might have
been little indefinite to the uninitiated.
New Boston fully understood it.
Who's jumped it this tine?'' asked Colo
mel Pride. as Cy Hickson retailed the news
to the citizens lounging on the porch of the
Eureka general store.
Dun know" answered the mail carrier
Didn't stop to find out. Smoke was comm
out o. the shack, an scan lous lookin Inch
pin wagin an pair o. rickety ole mules
was standin by"
WAL" predicted Colonel Pride. sabout
five minutes after Ben gifts there them rick
ETY. mulesll be pulling that scandalous look
ing wagon away from that claim.''
You betv' agreed the citizens
6 Pears like Ben Fargo's claim is allus
bein jumped
And unjumped Just as often," said the
colonel.
Had to laugh, tn other~SSsy, as I was
ridin past" said Mr.. Cy HicKson. "Felle1
from Mizzury'd jumped the claim that
time an was bakin johnny cake in Ben's
skillet. Five minutes to git your johnny
out of my skillet says Ben. The year 1901
will find me right yere,' says Mizzury Says
Ben, This is my claim, an 'Mebby 'twuz
fore jumped it, broke in Mizzury turnin
over the johnny cake Yes, an twill be
soon's you unjump it, which'll be in bout
three minutes says Ben. Crack yer whip
says Mizzury. Pm able fer you, reckon;
sides, the laws on my side, an Hang
the lawp broke in Ben and sailed in. They
tangled, an in about two minutes Mizzury
found he'd made mistake. Fer awhile
lowed Ben d drive his head into the ground.
Then, after tukin him around awhile, Ben
sat on him. Whose claims this now?' saws
Ben. Your title to it pears to be a very
strong one,' says Mizzury. A little later
Mizzury had his team hitched to his wagin
an was a-eatin his johnny cake as he druv
away"
Mr.. Ben Fargo, returning to New Boston
the following day, became aware that his
claim had been jumped.
"Well," he said. half aloud ST am in a
hurry to get to New Boston, but 1 reckon
can spare time to start this jumper on his
way. Not overly we'll fixed, . he comment
ed as he left the road. Wagon don't look
safe, and the mules seem rickety But
they brought the jumper here, and they've
got to Hello herep'
The presence of the object that he had
almost ridden over surprised him good
deal more than the presence OF the jumper.
1t was merely little grave, roughly
rounded up in the midst of the long prairie
grass. The clods of the ragged little mound
showed that it had been there only a short
while. A battered little prairie rosebush
had been planted at the head of the tiny
mound. The tips of its leaves had with
cred, and the blossoms it had borne at
transplanting were yellow and shriveled,
but one bud had opened, and the ragged
little flower, striving it's best to be bright
and pure, lay on one rough, black clod of
the ragged little grave.
''BabyI' Fargo muttered.
At that moment woman left the shack
and came toward the grave. In her hand
she bore cup of water. Her eyes were
swollen. Fargo started as he saw her face.
Scarcely glancing at him, she returned the
salutation and bent and watered the ragged
little rosebush.
Your babyS" Fargo asked awkwardly.
YES" the woman answered, choking
with her oppressed feeling. 'She was all 1
had"-
She flung herself prone on the grave, en-
braced the little mound and sobbed aloud.
Fargo looked uncomfortable. Now don't
cry SO. I-you-where's your husband? In
the shack?''
No. lifting her face from the clods.
He's dead. l was on my way home. The
baby-well, I dug the little grave myself.
had no coffin, and I buried her in her lit
tie nightgown. l cannot go on yet-oh, it
seems if l could never goi Maybe the
owner would not object if lived in the
shack little while till''- Fargo squirmed
a little uneasily in his saddle. after a
little must start on toward Indiana"
what part of Indiana9' Fargo blurted.
champion county. The little crossroad
village just below Fountainville.
Ever know a darned fool there named
Fargo?'
ben Fargof He wasn't fool, though.
He"-
eyes, he was, tool Got mad at nothingl
Ought to have been shot on the spot'
mol He-we''-
MARY, don't you know me5"
ben Fargol'
Eyes; darned fool Got mad at moth
ing"
A little later the dispossessed owner of the
shack was smoothing up the mound that
covered the child of the person who had
jumped his claim. And the jumper sat on
the grass near by looking less desolate.
When, later, Mr.. Fargo was passing the
Eureka general store, he was stopped by
Colonel Pride.
Ibid the jumper cut up rusty, BenW
"Noper' Fargo answered shortly, NOV
ing away.
go without trouble?''
''Nopep' More shortly.
''Reckoned he was able for your"
''NopeI' Farther away.
''Waal, then what didr-
Nothing. There yet" Fargo turned
the corner.
Hickson, the mail car 49, was go
ing from New Boston,S saw Ben Fargo
smoothing the baby's grave and marveleC
thereat. When he returned from the trip
he retailed the news to the prominent citi
zenS.
WAL, Pm beat,'' announced Colone
Pride.
me, too,'' agreed several.
The attempt to interview Ben Farg
when next he appeared was not brillian
success. That parsonage informed them
| first that whafaver oecl1rrad ar his claim