The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-27
/. Stories of an Inland State.

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Shelter"
"You came in that door rather free-l:ke."
growled Mrs. Sweeney IN reprimand.
I'VE hollered,'' said the red-bearded
man, land you didn't hear"
| How long do you expect to stay here?"
| Mrs Sweeney asked.
Till morning. How does that strike
your
II don't know about that"
where's Pe,e?" asked the bearded man
again.
Mrs Sweeney was wary. She believed
these were deputies now; that Pete had
escaped and they had returned for him. So
she said:
"Pete's quit the country for good"
"WeN what about US staying here to-
night?''
Mrs. Sweeney resolved upon revenge. If
Pee had escaped from the deputies they
hal no evidence against her and would
not take her. This was her palace and she
Clio not intend TO offer shelter to the perse-
cutors of the partner. She Strengthened
UP and said:
"Yor can't stay here. Get out in the
rain ard do the best you can. I can't have
you here
The man studied her calmly and ans
wered:
Your Pete's woman
'sYes."
"And you know us?"
NO" said Mrs. Sweeney guardedly.
Keep it up" said the man with smile.
II understand. It's perfectly legal"
Mrs Sweeney did not understand. Get
ou.,'' she said.
II suppose you know what you're about?
asked the man.
81 reckon l CO."
II amt sure about that" answered the
man. 1T was never in me TO frighten
good woman anywhere. hope you know
what you're about and won't be scared"
''What've I to be scared about?" asked
Mrs. Sweeney.
Keep it up" said the man. appear
innocent That makes 1t legal. Don't get
scared OF us, but keep right on ordering
us out of doors, and make that old man
there keep awake and hear you kick so that
he can be witness. Now boys -"
The hammers Of five revolvers went back
with a loud clack
Now, Mrs. Sweeney" said the leader.
well stay. Wen take supper, II you
please. Well sleep on the floor. Well 90
all this or murder the whole lot Of you"
Mrs Sweeney was frightened but she
did not show It,
you will not stay here" she said facing
the armed men. You must get out Of this
house. It's my own and you have no legal
right here / don't care how big you may
be-
That's pretty fair" answered the man
with a smile.
Look here" cried Mrs. Sweeney. ''You
can't joke me. You get out now. pref
ty set you are, to be sure, to talk about
numbering US. Get out, every one of you,
and drown in the rain, for all 1 care
Mrs Sweeney" said the leader. ''That'd
be sufficient to re-tell to any court. They'd
have to let you free. You've kicked enough
now to satisfy any judge that you were
powerless. For my part I'm goin to sit
down"
The leader dropped to the floor and the
other four followed him.
Mrs. Sweeney was exasperated at this
action.
Come" she said. "Get out of this. all
of you
"Oh you've piled up plenty of evidence"
said the leader. 'You don't have to &C,
scared any more. Just get US supper"
"Not much,'' said Mrs. Sweeney with
determination.
Boys" said the leader. "A1ake a sieve
of her.
The hammers Of the revolvers snapped
back Mrs Sweeney looked upon the men
With fiery eye.
She believed them capable of numbering
her. She stirred up the fire and fried some
bacon and gave IT to them on slices OF
white bread.
When this was finished the leader went
up to her and said quietly:
I'VE amt going to hurt you. All the gun
play is for your sake. Don't you under
stand? You keep on kicking and let US
stay"
mo sir" said Mrs. Sweeney.
well, I want you to tell Pete all about
this, anyway. We're going to stay. You
see don't want Pete to think we was in
here threatening his wife. Pete's all right. |
YOU just keep on kicking and let US stay.
And remember every word you say. so if
you're ever catched up you can tell the
judge everything
II don't know what you're talking about
said Mrs. Sweeney. land what's more 1
don't care. This is my house and you've
got TO get out"
That's right" whispered the leader
Keep it up. I'll lay down here and go &c
sleep. Just keep jawing and remember
what you say
Four of the men were already sleeping |
and the leader threw himself on the floor. |
Mrs Sweeney was exasperated. These |
deputy marshals had no right there and |
she meant TO put them out. She kicked |
the leader in the ribs with a ferocity that |
brought him TO his feet.
Now you get OUT she cried. ST mean |
it. Amt joking and 1 want you all to get |
out
The pitch of her voice aroused the other |
men,
Darn if she don't mean it," said the |
leader with serious air.
''Of course l mean it, sad Mrs. Swee- |
ney.
Then We'll go, Mrs. Sweeney" said the !
leader stretching his arms. I'VE amt 60 |
ing TO throw suspicion on you, cause we
like Pete. Well go but we're dead tired |
ard snied to stay. Come on boys"
Misty Dawn stepped forward. The leader |
who had placed his hat on his head jerked |
Il eff again and cried:
Moses
Mrs Sweeney" said Misty Dawn. at /
would be cruel to drive these men out IL /
the storm. They are very tired. II may
be civilized not 10 help those that cannot |
help themselves, but these men could make \
you let them stay here II they wished SO |
let them stay. II il is necessary TO pay /
for them. will DO it,
The leader kicked out his booted feet and /
looked al the woman. exclaiming Moses
Mrs Sweeney turned TO Misty Dawn and !
studied her long time
You're a queer one" she said slowly. /
II don't want any pay. But as you've ask
ed Il. I'll let ZEN stay. You're making
regular hotel of this dug-out"
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