Year: 1876

l = of nowadays. Time was when a man dare not encroach upon an others rights. If he was so pre- sumptuous, and so lost to all sense of social rights and com pacts, as to do this, he incurred the displeasure of all the neigh bors, and he was lucky if he did not feel the popular fist in contact with his head or nose.

 A case in point: Old uncle John V., was an early settler i'll the county. He was poor--too poor to enter his land, and besides he had numerous family, as most of our fathers had; hence he did not accumulate money as rapidly as some do, but he got it according to the divine law-by the sweat of his brow. Many there are who cannet say as much. But uncle John lived at home, was a good neighbor, and much es- teemed.

 Two young men, adopting Mir. Grceley's idea had come west. They stopped in the neighbor- hood of Uncle Johns. They were hunting land-good land was the kind they wanted. Uncle J. had confidence in his neigllbors and they in Mm. He knew they would not enter his land, but what of these young men? The old mans land was the best on the creek and he had cleared several acres. They saw this tract, and, beng unmindful of a portion of the Decalogue, they coveted the good land. But how could they get it? They applied to uncle J. to purchase his claim. He would not sell. We will enter you out" They did that very thing, return ing from the Land Office in great glee. But what have you done, oh, young men. You have on croached upon rights held sacred, rights such as no legislature can give; rights of custom recognized and respected by all but you. A fire brand was thrown into tho midst of this peaceful community which will klndle a flame that will cndanger you. But these young men are robust and strong, and withal, of ..good pluck. But will that strength and pluck hold out against a whole neighbor- hood? We trew not. A meet ing was called which convened at neighbours house. The biggest, pluckiest man in the neighbor- hood was chosen leader. A com mittee of two was appointed to wait on the offenders and know, the terms upon which they would, restore the land. They were told that the land would not be restor ed under any circumstances, and furthermore, the neighbors would do well to attend to tEeir own business and avoid trouble. This exasperated the citizens. A de liberative meeting was appointed far the next Saturday. Atthe ap- pointed time they met, every one of them with his long squirrel rife. A purse equal to the amount ot the entry money was made up, their leader was direct ed to present this to the young men and demand release of the land. The line of march is taken up. All are merry and eager for the fun. The little band halted at a thicket and half a dozen good wyths are twisted. They arrive at the offenders house. There is manifested q little unea- siness by the young men but they soon come to themselves and are pretty defiant The leader hands his wythe to another, md with "trailed arms" he advances and makes formal denand for a deed, and at the same time pre- sents the purse. This is refused quite insultingly.

 You will not give up the land, .hcnT said the leader.

 We will not' was the reply.

 sIllen take what follows; you