The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-29

1awlessness. and proved his superior
ity? Had he not Violently staked his
claim in the richest soil in oklahoma?
Hush! Keep quiet YOU galoots!
You'll wake the bebby!" said Jim,
sternly, pointing at the sleeping child.
Il thought you killed him." said one
of the three, indicating in Il disappoint-
ed tone Jerrys empty saddle.
This is the bebbys claim, an don't
you forgit it, and the first feller that
tries TO jump it, I'll jump on him like a
catamount. You know mean this
boy. too"
So said Grizzly Jim, patting his belt
with the security of one who could split
ii bullet with a knife blade fifty yards.
The three retired to consult. Presently
one returned and said In q whisper,
after Il warning gesture from jim:
Bean you a-going to stay here?"
.. "You bet"
''How long?'
"Till the bebby hez her claim fer
Hure-p'raps aluz."
Dye mean 1t, Grizzly jim? An yer
pockets could bulge in three days wild
the tin them fools are bringin' in?'
You fellers kin go on an go to bust
Il shall stay here with the bebby. so
help So" Jim's face turned toward
the baby. and then, for the first time
since he could remember, he pro-
nounced with reverence the awful name
OF God.
The three watched him as he stood
firmly beside the child. His rifle was
in his hand. His word was as good as
his aim. Everybody knew that. The
baffied men murmured and made Il
scanty show of disrespect. Their old
leaders strange freak and stern face
Disconnected them, and soon enough
they grumblingly rode out of the val
ley TO some other ulundering ground.
Then Jim heaved IL mighty sigh, his
mouth twitched; he leaned low over his
charge. For yer mammy's sake-an'
my own bebby's sake-so help me
God" Then he reverently kissed the
child.
True to his mothers directions, Bub
kept straight for the river. The child
had not gene four miles before he saw Il
sight which was not infrequent in that
lawless territory where over 10000
boomers We're struggling for less than
1l,OO0 honesteads. Among this throng
We're these who Were some of the old
original boomers, who knew Oklahoma
as well as you do your garden. When
these find any "tenderfoot" or new
conner ahead of them, they treat him as
trespasser upon their own property.
One of this class, who considered any
part OUtnt opened territory as ms own
original inheritance, had come across a
young fellow of twenty, occupying a
fine bit of prairie which he had right
fully prcempted. He had dug his dirt,
and now. with the satisfaction of a hard
duty accomplished, was firing his pistol
frantical1y in the air in true boomer
style. The border rufiian had ridden
up. and, with oaths that he considered
suitable to the occasion. had ordered
the young man off in two minutes. The
younthful boomer hurried to load. but n
bullet in his brain ended his career.
Now, this was observed by many. and
Bub saw it with horror, and with great
er terror noticed that the deed excited
no remark. 1t seemed quite natural.
in this dreadful place to kill anyone
who tried to protect his property. The
child thought of his mother. She must
be safe upon her claim by this time.
Besides. she was a woman, and who
could touch a woman?
He drove on slowly two or thre
miles, when the man in the wagon that
bore the inscription "Oklahomy or
bust" rode up beside him and said:
'They say woman has been shot
up there" pointing to the left Some
cuss headed her off with his gun when
she was goin' to stake her claim. There
is plenty of fire-eaters about this day.
They he'd quite as lief plug one ez not
You had better take keer.'