Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-05-04
THE CLAIM
JUMPERS
[Originai.1

not have a good claim, but because the
capitalists he met did not care to look
into it. Ben was very gloomy. A year
before he had married the girl OF his
choice in the east and a week after
the marriage had returned to his min
ing operations. He had hoped before
this to bring his Susie to him, but the
fates had been against him. And now
his failure to secure means with which
to prosecute his work made him doubly
respondent
Before him, coming on horseback, the
broad rim of his felt hat Tapping with
each lope, was man whom he recOg-
nized as Andy Kitchen, the owner Of a
claim not far from his own.
"Howdy, Benz" said Andy, grinning
affably, and without lessening his pace
added, Eyer claims jumped
whats that to laugh att" called Ben
sharply. "How many of 'em?"
1.-TWO. But one on 'em reckon you
can handle without trouble. He's lit
tie cuss T'other may down you"
Dtl Nouiu aShCu lhOIc
tons. but HallOwell seemed to be in a
hurry and rode on. Here was more
trouble. Ben was peaceful, plodding
man, beloved by his neighbOrs, and
the last man in the world to fight ex-
cept for his rights. But he was not a
man to suffer imposition. Besides, he
had strong faith in his "hole in the
ground" and relied upon it to unite him
In time with his beloved wife. He rode
on, considering what he should do. He
had no faith in peaceful measures, for
jumpers were not respecters of justice
less prepared to maintain their ground.
He finally concluded to reconnoiter the
jumpers from distance and watch for
an opportunity to catch them apart.
1t was about 10 O'clock In the morn
ing and a bright summer day when
Ben left the road and struck trail
through wood which led to his claim,
now but half mile distant. The birds
were singing in the trees, and every
thing about him was so peaceful that
he approached the encounter before
him with still greater reluctance. His
young wife was ever present in his
thoughts, and he could not dismiss a
picture of her anguish if it were fated
she should hear that he had been killed
by the jumpers. After going as far on
horseback as he dared, lest he attract
attention he dismounted and proceeded
on foot, pausing behind tree in sight
of his claim and his cabin beside it.
There was no one about, but the cab
in door stood open, and smoke issued
from the stovepipe chimney. Between
two trees swung a hammock, in the
center of which was a bundle. Ben
eyed all this cautiously. listened till he
was convinced that there was no one
present, then boldly went forward.
Curious to learn what was in the ham
mock, he pulled apart its sides and re-
vealed roll of blankets. But as the
blankets contained something, he pull
ed aside corner covering one end Of
the bundle and revealed
| Well, what Ben revealed was nc
more striking than the expression of
! his face on seeing it. The stern look
he had worn up to this moment melted
into one as kindly as, more kindly than,
had ever rested on his features. He
! looked down into the face of sleep
ing baby.
For a time the diminutive creature
slept on, then began to stretch its little
legs and fling its little fists about, at
last opening a pair of blue eyes, which
it fixed intently on Ben.
"Reckon you're the little jumper"
said Ben, giving the baby his finger
to clutch. Il hope the big one is no
taken my property don't see how
can have the heart to dispossess him."
BY this time Ben was on his knees
beside the baby. making all kinds OF
grimaces and saying all kinds of ride
ulous things to show his good will and
attract the child's attention. Then a
sudden thought struck him. He re-
membered Andy Kitchens grin when
he announced that the claim had been
jumped.
"By thundcrw he exclaimed. Sup
pose the big jumper is woman"
For moment his face fell. If this
were so, what an uncomfortable stu.
atom Even the shooting he had ex-
pected was not SO bad as that.
He was so engrossed with this
thought and the baby, in whose face
he fancied he could trace something
pleasantly familiar, that he did not
hear a footstep approaching. Then he
felt light touch on his shoulder. In
stinctively his hand flew to his re-
volver as he turned
He looked into the smiling face OF
his wife.
There are certain scenes as well as
emotions that are indescribable.
Neither the scene nor the emotions in
this case can be painted in words.
Never was man more completely
turned from the passion of strife to
that Of love. There was one long en-
brace that it seemed would never end,
then a gradual REIMBURSEMENT, after
that explanations.
Susie had prevailed upon a relative
to furnish means with which to prose