The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-28

In the northwest part Of the country
there was a swamp Of $50 acres In ex-
tent. and though the land all around was
settled up by thrifty farmers the swamp
was still State land For a score OF
years the question of-draining 1t had
come up at intervals. and 1t had become
tho burning question In the country.
A legislature had granted permission for
the work to be done. but there was the
question Of expense. The farmers who
would be assessed objected and the mat
ter passed through several phases and
was the cause Of much ill-feeling ana
trouble. There had been two years Of
peace when a thunder-clap came.
From farmer to farmer the news was
passed that a young lawyer In Scots
vile had bought the land Of the State
and was going to push things In other
words. a drainage ditch five miles long
was to be dug through farms and the
farmers compelled to pay the cost. The
news of the skirmish at Lexington didn't
produce greater excitement NO one
knew the name Of the lawyer. but he
was characterized as a shark. and there
was talk of tar and feathers il he dared
to show his face in the locality. No one
was familiar with the drainage laws. but
1t was resolved to oppose them with
force Of arms, II necessary. Meetings
were called at school houses and fiery
speeches made, and the only thing lack
ing to bring on war was leader.
Miss Fannie Melton. daughter OF the
widow Melton, through whose farm the
ditch would first pass, arrived home from
a distant school on her summer vaca-
ton as the excitement had become In
tense. For years she had heard the
question debated. and now was fmme-
diately interested Her watchword was
fight. Her attitude made an impression
on two or three Of the nearest neighbors,
and when they had reported 1t to others
Farm r Gray, old but full Of fight. called
to talk the matter over with her.
What / wanted to ask you is did you
study law at that school you went top
he asked.
mo, not exactly" was the reply, but
Of course I heard more or less about
law"
II see. In this case we'd like to know
whether the law is for US or agin US.
but We don't want to go to town and pay
some lawyer SIS to find out I was In
hopes you might know. havin' been to
school where they charge 500 year
TOR teachin' and boardin'."
law" demanded the girl as her eyes
flashed. Did they ask about law or
get up and do things"
by thunder. they did things!"
Then let US do the same"
by thunder, We WILL
I'VE must rally and fight for ouf
rights-fight until the last man falls!"
BY thunder. We must and WILL
Finding US determined. the enemy may
not appear, but II he does
We'll bust his suspenders in great
20, IN
schoolhouse No. 2 tomorrow and talk
to u.s. We are goin' to have big meet
in. Wasn't there a gal once called Jones
Of Ark who led soldiers and did big
things?"
You mean Joan Of Arc"
Yes; Jones of Ark. The schoolmaster
was tellin' about her last winter. You
come right along and be our Jones oil
Ark. You can talk big words and we
can't. You come and tell US all about
Bunker Hill and all that and get a thrill
goin'.'
The girl Of 10 would have declined any
such leadership had the matter been a
new one and the case any other She
was encourag ed by her mother to do
something to scare that pesky lawyer
and after much hesitation she appeared
at the meeting. There she was hailed
and introduced as Jones Of Ark. and
Farmer Gray concluded his Introduction
with:
"And by thunder she's the gal to make
the splinters hyi