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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1908)
BOB HAMPTON of PLAORf I 6/ ftANPALl PANMSNAUTHOR 'mmammM wimm/tm 'HimtciLL/mm. ^ x7 SYNOPSIS. , A detachment of the Eighteenth in- i fcuitry from Fort Beth une trapped by Indians in a narrow gorge. Among them is a stranger who introduces himself by the name of Hampton, also Gillis the post trader, and his daughter. Gillis and majority of the soldiers are killed dur ing a three days’ siege. Hampton and t\ • girl only escape from the Indians. They fall exhausted on the plains. A • •umpany of the Seventh cavalry, Lieut. Brant in command, find them. Hampton ; rid the girl stop at the Miners’ Home in Glew aid. Mrs. Duffy, proprietress. Hamp ton talks the future over with Miss Gil-. 1 is—the* Kid. She shows him her moth-1 er’r picture and telis him what she can of her parentage and life. They decide shall live with Mrs. Herndon. Naida th< Kid—runs away from Mrs. Herndon's and rejoins Hampton He induces her to g«» lack, and to have nothing more to do with him. Hampton plays his last game of cards. He announces to Red Slavin that he lias quit, and then leaves Glen « .iid. Miss Phoebe Spencer arrives iri <IlcncaiiF to teach its first school. Miss Spencer meets Naida. Rev. Wynkoop, **tc She boards at Mrs. Herndon's. Naida and Lieut. Brant again meet with out his knowing who she is. She informs him of the coming Bachelor club ball in honor of Miss Spencer. Lieut. Brant moots Silent Murphy, Custer's scout. He ■reports trouble brewing among the Sioux. .Social difficulties arise at the Bachelor •club's ball among the admirers of Miss Sp* ncer. Lieut Brant meets Miss Spen cer but she is not his acquaintance of the day before. She tells him of Naida. and he accidentally meets her again as he is returning to the ballroom with a fan for Miss Spencer. Brant accompanies Naida hbme from the dance. On the way she ! informs him as to who she is. and that .she is to meet Hampton. Brant and Hampton meet. Hampton informs the lieutenant that his attentions to Naida must cease, and proclaims an authority over her that justifies the statement. Brant tells Hampton of the presence of Silent Murphy, and of the fact that Red ■ Slavin receives government messages for him. Miss Spencer called on Bob Hamp- 1 ton. Tells him of a r^d-faced stranger mistaking her for Naida. Brant inter \ tews Red Slavin. Finds that he is an ex- I trooper in the Seventh cavalry. It was Slavin’s and Murphy’s testimony that , more than ten years before had convicted Robert Nolan, then a captain in the Sev enth. of the murder of Maj. Brant, Sr. Hampton attempts to force a confession from Slavin. Slavin insists it is Murphy 1 wants, and Murphy had left. In a souffle Slavin is killed by a knife thrust. Hampton surrenders to Buck Mason, marshal. Mob attempts to capture him. Mason and his prisoner escape to a hill ->nci defend themselves. Mob lights fire to burn them out. CHAPTER XX!.—Continued. She asked this question with such perfect innocence that Brant believed she failed to comprehend Hampton's claims. “1 have been informed that it must,” hr explained. “1 have been told that 1 was no longer to force my attentions upon Miss Gillis.” "By Bob Hampton?” * ' Yes. Those were, I believe, his ex act words. Can you wonder that I hardly kf.ovr how I stand in your sight?” ”1 do not at all understand,” she faltered. “Truly, Lieut. Brant, 1 do not 1 feel that Mr. Hampton would not say that without a good and suf ficient reason. He is not a man to be swayed by prejudice; yet, what ever the reason may be, I know noth ing about it." “But you do not answer my last query.” Perhaps I did not hear it." “it was; How do I stand in your sight? That is of far more impor tance to me now than any unauthor ized command from Mr. Hampton.” She glanced up into his serious face shyly, with a little dimple of returning laughter. “Indeed; but perhaps he might not care to have me say. How ever. as 1 once informed you that you were very far from being my ideal, possibly it may be my duty to qualify that harsh statement somewhat.” By confessing that I am your Ideal 4 Oh, indeed, no! We never realize our ideals, you know, or else they would entirely cease to be ideals. My confession is limited to a mere admis sion that I now consider you a very pleasant young gentleman.” * You offer me a stone when I cry unto you for bread,” he exclaimed. • The world is filled with pleasant young men. They are a drug on the market. I beg some special distinc tion, some different classification in your eyes.” •'You are becoming quite hard to please,” her face turned partially away, her look meditaative, ‘‘and— and dictatorial; but I will try. You are intelligent, a splendid dancer, fairly good looking, rather bright at times, and, no doubt, would prove venturesome if not held strictly to your proper place. Take it all in all, you are even interesting, and—I ad mit—I am inclined to like you.” The tantalizing tone and manner nerved him; he grasped the white hand resting invitingly on the grass, and held it firmly within his own. ■ You only make sport as you did once before. 1 must have the whole t ruth.” "Oh, no; to make sport at such a time would be s!%arest mockery, and 1 would never dare to be so free. Why, remember we are scarcely more than strangers. How rude you are! only our third time of meeting, and you will not release my hand.” ‘Not unless I must, Naida.” and the deep ringing soberness of his voice startled the girl into suddenly uplift ing her eyes to his face. What she read there instantly changed her mood from playfulness to earnest gravity. "Oh, please do not—do not say what you are tempted to," her voice almost pleading. "I cannot listen; truly I cannot; 1 must not. It would make us both very unhappy, and you would be sure to regret such hasty words." "Regret!” and he yet clung to the hand which she scarcely endeavored to release, bending forward hoping to read in her hidden eyes the secret her lips guarded. "Am I, then, not old enough to know my own mind?" "Yes—yes; I hope so. yes; but it is not for me; it can never be for me— I am no more than a child, a homeless waif, a nobody. You forget that I do not even know who 1 am. or the name I ought rightfully to bear. I will not have it so.” "N'aida, sweetheart!" and he burst impetuously through all bonds of re straint, her flushed cheeks the inspir ation of his daring. "1 will speak, for I care nothing for all this. It is you 1 love—love forever. Do you un derstand me. darling? 1 love you! I love you!” For an instant—one glad, weak, helpless, forgetful instant—she did not see him, did not even know her -elf; the very world was lost. Then she awoke as if from a dream, his strong arms clasped about her, his lips upon hers. "You must net," she sobbed. "I tell you no! I will not consent; I will not be false to myself. You have no right; I gave you no right." He permitted her to draw away, and they stood facing each other, he eager, mystified, thrilling with pas _ ‘*1 Have Been Told That I Was No Longer to Force My Attentions Up on Miss Gillis.*’ sion almost beyond mastery, she trem bling and unstrung, her cheeks crim son, her eyes filled with mute ap ical. “I read it in your face," he insisted. "It told of love." "Then my face must have lied." she answered, her soft voice tremu lous, “or else you read the message wrongly. It is from my lips you must take the answer." “And they kissed me." “If so, I knew it not. It was by no volition of mine. Lieut. Brant, I have trusted you so completely; that was not right.” “My heart exonerates me.” “I cannot accept that guidance." “Then you do not love me?" She paused, afraid of the impulse that sw'ept her on. “Perhaps," the lowr voice scarcely audible, “I may love you too well." “You mean there is something— some person, perhaps—standing be tween?" She looked frankly at him. “i do mean just. that. I am not heartless, and 1 sincerely wish we had never met; but this must be the end.” “The end? And with no explana tion ?” “There is no other way." He could perceive tears in her eyes, although she spoke bravely. "Nor can 1 ex plain. for all is not clear to me. But this I know, there is a barrier between ns insurmountable; not even the pow er of love ca" overcome it; and I appeal to you to ask me no more." It v.-as impossible for him to doubt her sober earnestness, or the depth of her feelings; the full truth in her words was pictured upon her face, and in the pathetic appeal of her eye. She extended both hands. “You will forgive me? Truly, this barrier has not been raised by me.” He bowed low, until his lips pressed the wh'te fingers, but before he could master himself to utter a word in re ply. a distant voice called his name, and both glanced hastily around. “That cry came from the valley.” he said. “I left my horse tied there. I will go and learn what it means.” She followed him part of the way through ^the labyrinth of underbrush, hardly knowing why she did so. He stood alone upon the summit of the high bluff whence he could look across the stream. Miss Spencer stood below waving her parasol frantically, and even as he gazed at her, his ears caught the sound of heavy firing down the valley. CHAPTER XXII. Plucked from the Burning. That Miss Spencer was deeply agi tated was evident at a glance, while the nervous manner in which she glanced in the direction of those dis tant gunshots, led Brant to jump to the conclusion that they were in some way connected with her. appearance. | “Oh, Lieutenant Brant,” she cried, excitedly, "they are going to kill him down there, and he never did it at all. I know he didn’t, and so does Mr. Wynkoop. Oh, please hurry! No body knew where you were, until I sawr your horse tied here, and Mr. Wynkoop has been hunting for you ev erywhere. He is nearly frantic, i>oor man. and I cannot learn where either Mr. Moffat or Mr. McNeil is, and I just know those dreadful creatures will kill him before w'e can get help.” "Kill whom ?” burst in Brant, spring ing down the bank fully aw'akened to the realization of some unknown emergency. “My dear Miss Spencer, tell me your story quickly if you wish me to act. Who is in danger, and from what?” The girl burst into tears, but strug gled bravely through with her mes sage. “It’s those awful men, the roughs and rowdies down in Glencaid. They say he murdered Tied Slavin. that big gambler who spoke to me this morn j ing, but he didn't for 1 saw the man . d-kU/UHl MUKTMlgga.TS., V.J7X who did. and .so did Mr. Wynkoop. He .lumped out of the saloon window, his hand all bloody, and ran away. But they’ve got him and the town marshal up behind the Shasta dump, and swear they're going to hang him if they can only take hint al've. Oh, just hear those awful guns!” “Yes, but who is it?" “Bob Hampton, and—and he never did it at all.” Before Brant could either move or speak, Xaida swept past him, down the steep bank, auid her voice rang out clear, insistent. “Bob Hampton attacked by a mob? Is that true, Phoebe? They are fighting at the Shasta dump, you say? Lieut. Brant, you must act—you must act now, for my sake!” She sprang toward the horse, nerv ed by Brant's apparent slowness to re spond. and loosened the rein from the scrub oak. "Then I will go to him. even if they kill me also, the cowards! ” But Brant had got his head now. Grasping her arm and the rein of the plunging horse, “You will go home,” he commanded, with the tone of mili tary authority. “Go home with Miss Spencer. All that can possibly be done to aid Hamilton l shall do—will you go?” She looked helplessly into his face. “You—you don’t like him,” she falter ed; “I know you don’t. But—but you will help him, won’t you, for my sake?" He crushed back an oath. “Like him or not like him, I will save him if be in the power of man. Now will you go?” “Yes,” she answered, and suddenly estended her arms. "Kiss me first.” With the magical pressure of her lips upon his, he swung into the sad die and spurred down the road. It was a principle of his military train ing never to temporize with a mob— lie would strike hard, but he must have sufficient force behind him. He reined up before the seemingly desert ed camp, his horse f ung back upon its haunches, white foam flecking its quivering flanks. “Sergeant!" The sharp snap of his voice brought that officer forward on the run. "Where are the men?” “Playin' ball, most of 'em, sir, just beyond the ridge.” “Are the horses out in the herd?” “Yes, sir.” “Sound the recall; arm and mount every man; bring them into Glencaid on the gallop. Do you know the old Shasta mine?" “No, air.” “Half-way up the hill back of the hotel. You’ll find me somewhere in front of it This is a matter of life or death, so jump lively now.!” He drove in his spurs, and was off like the wind. A number of men were in the street, all hurrying forward in the same direction, but he dashed past them. These were miners mostly, eager to have a hand in the man-hunt. Here and there a rider skurried along and joined in the chase. Just beyonu the hotel, half-way up the hill, rifles were speaking irregularly, the white puffs of smoke blown quickly away by the stiff breeze. Near the center of this line of skirmishers a denser cloud was beginning to rise in spirals. lji tinl, pcitciujg lut- migeEii group ui men gathered just before him, rode straight toward them. The crowd scattered slightly at his approach, but promptly closed in again as he drew up his horse with taut rein. He look ed down into rough, bearded faces. Clearly enough these men were in no fit spirit for peace making. “You damn fool!” roared one, hoarsely, his gun poised as if in threat, “what do you mean by riding us down like that? Do you own this country?” Brant flung himself from the saddle j and strode in front of the fellow. “I | mean business. You see this uniform? Strike that, my man, and you strike the United States. Who is leading this outfit?” “I don't know as it's your affair," the man returned, sullenly. “We ain't talcin' no army orders at present, mis ter. We're free-born American citi zens. an’ ye better let us alone.” “That is not what I asked you," and Brant squared his shoulders, his hands clinched. “My question was. Who is at the head of this outfit? and 1 want an answer." The spokesman looked around upon the others near him with a grin of de rision. “Oh, ye do, hey? Well, I reck on we are, if you must know. Since Big Jim Larson got it in the shoulder this outfit right yere hes bin doin' most of the brain work. So if ye’ve got anythin' ter say, mister officer man. I reckon ye better spit it out yere ter me. an' sorter relieve yer mind.” “Who are you?" The fellow expectorated vigorously into the leaves under foot, and draw ing one hairy hand across his lips, flushed angrily to the unexpected in quiry. “Oh, tell him, Ben. What's the blame odds? He can't do ye no hurt." The man's look became dogged. “I'm Ben Colton, if it'll do ye any good to know.” “1 thought 1 had seen you some where before,” said Brant, contemptu ously. and then swept his glance about the circle. "A nice leader of vigilantes you are, a fine representa tive of law and order, a lovely speci men of the free - born American citizen! Men. do you happen to know what sort of a cur you are fol I lowing in this affair?" i “Oh, Ben's all right.” “What ye got against him, young I feller?" "Just- this, and Brant squarely fronted the man. his voice ringing like steel. "I've seen mobs before to-day, and I’ve dealt with them. I'm not afraid of you or your whole outfit, and I've got fighting men to back me up. 1 never yet saw, any mob which j wasn't led and incited by some cow I ardly, revengeful rascal. Honest men : get mixed up in such affairs, but they are invariably inflamed by some low down sneak with an ax to grind. I confess I don't know all about this Colton, but 1 know enough to say he is an army deserter, a liar, a dive keeper, a gambler, and, to my certain knowledge, the direct cause of the death of three men, one a soldier of my troop. Now’ isn't he a sweet speci men to lead in the avenging of a sup posed crime?" Whatever else Colton might have failed in, he was a man of action. Like a flash his gun flew to the level, but was instantly knocked aside by the grizzled old miner standing next him. "None o’ that, Ben," he growled, warningly. "I don’t never pay to shoot holes in Uncle Sam." Brant smiled. He was not there just then to f ;rb? but to secure delay until his own r.ien could arrive, and to turn aside the fierce mob spirit if such a result was t^und possible. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Heroines. A girl who can smile when obliged, in the middle of the season, to take to her bed with an attack of measles is a veritable heroine. So is the wom an who manages to control her expres sion when a careless passerby spills a cup of tea over her best frock.—Black and White. NEBRASKA FOR AGRICULTURE. Review of the Conditions in the Past Year. Secretary Melicr ox the state board of agriculture said in his annual re port: Nebraska, as an agricultural state, is commanding the attention of the markets of the world to a greater de gree with each succeeding year. A new state which sucessfully holds the position in the front rank of the agri cultural column is deserving of the constantly increasing favorable con sideration by the comparisons with which we are favored. Only two or three states of the union can now show greater quanities of production in any of the leading staple crops grown in this latitude, than can Ne braska. The year of 1907 however, has not been a banner year in crop productior owing to unseasonable rain-fall in the eastern, and lack of rain-fall in the western and centra! parts of our state, but this condition being general over the entire agricultural portion of the central west, has caused a general crop reduction with resultant high prices. As usual, corn has been our pre dominant crop and although the 1907 crop is fully 25 per cent less in num ber of bushels than that of 1906, still its commercial value is greater. The yield for 1907 as gathered by our state statistician as to our practical crops are: Corn .169.792.Rgr. bushels Wheat . 46.207.658 bushels '>ats . 53.622,262 bushels Bye . 1.407,699 bushels Barley . 2,264.166 bushels Potatoes . 6.262.220 bushel* Hay . 4,011.648 tons Allalfa . 1,450.759 tons CHECK ON CHANGING DEPOTS. An Important Order Issued by the State Railway Commission. The railway commission adopted the following orders of importance to all the state: “No change of freight or passenger depots or flag stations from their present location, or suspension of the sale of tickets, or the receiving or for warding of freights from stations now in use for such purpose will be per mitted without the consent of this commission. “Permission for the location of de pots and the construction of same must be secured from this commission. Ap plication for such permits must be ac companied by all information neces sary for a full and proper understand ing of al' interests to he affected there by. The commission reserves the right to pass upon the location of all switches and spurs. “No switches or spurs in use in this state shall be removed or abandoned without the consent of this commis sion. Date for Coast Trip Indefinite. Governor Sheldon has received a let ter from the secretary of the navy in answer to the executive's inquiry if it would be agreeable to the department to present the battleship Nebraska with a silver service at the time the Atlantic fleet is at San Francisco. The secretary wrote that it is in possible at this time to say whether the Ne braska will be at San Francisco at that time, for it may be at Puget Sound for repairs or engaged else where. He suggested that the gov ernor take up the matter later. Freight Business Improving. The weekly car report of railroads for the week ending January 22 shows a marked increase in business over the report one month previous. The following is the comparison: Jan. Dec. 22. 22. Empty stock cars ordered... 820 464 Empty stock cars at stations..1,910 1.619 Stock cars loaded. 909 336 Empty box cars ordered. 1,486 1,453 Empty box cars at stations. .2,194 2.11ff Grain cars loaded. 422 323 Other bov cars loaded. 988 812 Hughes’ Father at Carroll. Carroll—Few people of Carroll are aware that Mr. John Hughes, present visitor at Joe Jones,’ is the father of Charles Hughes, governor of New York. He is a jovial old gentleman of 74. hale and hearty, and as spry as a kitten. He can outtalk, outsmoke or outwalk most men of 30 of the present generation. OMAHA AS A GRAIN MARKET. A Large Increase in Shipments Over Any Previous Year. In 1906 there was 40.077,900 bushels of grain shipped out of Omaha, in 1907 43.810,500 bushels. This shows an in crease of nearly four million bushels. Most of this grain was handled by the members of the Omaha Grain Ex change. The handling of grain be tween the farmer and the miller or other consumer is a very necessary occupation. The farmer cannot do it as a rule any more than he could man ufacture his own machinery as a rule. The consumer cannot, for he is en gaged in other affairs. The work has to be done and the graindealer, with the aid of the transportation company, does it. Whether the work is well or badly done depends upon the ability of the dealer and the facilities he em ploys in doing it. Indians Sue for Land. Lincoln—Seven persons claiming to , be descendants of Margaret Murphy, a member of the Sac and Fox Indian tribe, have begun suit in the federal court here to establish their claims to Indian lands located in Richardsor county, Nebraska, and Brown county, Kansas. The claimants, in a previous effort, were excluded by an order of the interior department, largely be ! cause they were unable to prove their relationship. The plaintiffs allege, they are part blood Indians and that their claim is valid. news NOTES OF INTEREST FROM VARIOUS SECTIONS. ALL SUBJECTS TOUCHED UPON Religious, Social, Agricultural, Poli# ical and Other Matters Given Due Consideration. The district court of Sarpy county convenes February 11th. A great deal of sickness prevails in and about Guide Rock. Pawnee City's public library build ing is nearly ready for occupancy. In a fight in a pool hall at Giltner Robert Wolcott killed Frank McN’eff. Will McCubberson. a confesed big amist with one wife in Kansas and one in Platte Center, this state, was arrested at Norfolk. Fire starting in the kitchen of Goosic's restaurant at Hardy destroyed several buildings and caused a 'ass estimated at $20,000. Sneak thieves entered the Second Congregational church of Norfolk ar.d stole 136 pennies that had been col lected to purchase a picture. Grace Lambert, daughter of a farmer living south of Eagle, took a large quantity of carbolic acid. Prompt medical attendance saved her life. The Hooper High school, a two-story brick building, was totally destroyed by fire. A defective flue is supposed to have been the cause of the fire. During the year of 1907 there was shipped from Herman to Omaha 3,342 cans of cream by express. There was also forwarded 1,500 cases of eggs. The Scoville meetings being held at the Christian church in Beatrice are drawing large crowds from night to night. Up to date 154 have been converted. In another column of this paper will be found a list of representative Ne braska business houses. When you write or call on them please mention this paper. Bert Shoemaker, accused of holding up William Miller of Oakland, in an alley in West Point and robbing him of $8 was bound over to district court in $100 bonds. A call for $33,000 in general fund warrants lias been issued by State Treasurer Brian. This is in addition to the recent call for $94,000 of war rants from the same fund. While crossing the railroad tracks in the outskirts of Bancroft Charles Tighe and his son Frank, were struck by the Omaha road through freight No. 20. Neither were badly hurt. At a shooting match on the farm of B. F. Garrison, east of Cozad, Kent Vasey was shot and almost instantly killed by the premature discharge of a gun in the hands of Harry Hess. York county farmers will realize from $1S to $35 per acre on their tame grasses. The clover, timothy and al falfa seed crop made a fine yield and is comanding remunerative prices. Frank O. Ellis of Grant township. Gage county, sold his farm of a quar ter section to William Sherman for $12,000. Mr. Eilis bought the same piece of land less than a year ago for $9,600. The Hastings company of the Na tional guard will be equipped with the new United States magazine rifle after February 1G, according to In structions received from the war de partment. I. S. Vote ,a widower, of Beaver City, was bombarded with eggs of doubtful vintage, thrown at him by three women, on the public streets. Mr. Vose was accused of insulting one of the three. me repuDiican congressional con vention to select delegates to the na tional convention from the Fourth dis trict has been called for Wilber March 4. The convention will have 167 dele gates from eleven counties. The sum of $20,000 is awaiting Ernest Kuhlmann if he can be found. Attorney Charles A. Love of Aurora. 111., has been employed by the rela tives to locate the missing man, and has been in Lincoln to look him up. Frank Gotava was almost instantly killed and W. I. Jones. L. Keller and J. B. Hornburger hurt by the bursting of a circular saw near Octavia. The men were at work sawing up cotton wood logs when the accident occurred. Patronize a Nebraska Life Insur ance Company. You can get as good old line life insurance and at as low a cost in the Midwest Life as you can anywhere in the United States. Writ® to the home office, 1007 “O” Street, Lincoln, for particulars as to the new low cost policies which the Midwest Life is now issuing. I. W. Thomas, a homesteader living eleven miles southwest of North Platte, lost his life while trying to thaw pipes in a well. A scar was found on his head. Just how he met death is not known. It is surmised he climbed down into the well, lighted some rags and then some board from a windmill struck him and rendered him unconscious. Charged with fraudulently obtaining $115 on a sight draft at the Union State bank of Beatrice, drawn on Rigs by Bros, of Minature, Neb., L. L. Tres sler, agent for the North Platte Land company, was lodged in jail at Beat rice. McCook’s splendid new high school building had a narrow escape from destruction by Are recently. The paint ers were finishing the interior work and spontaneous combustion in some oiled rags used by the workmen came near being the undoing of a building costing $40,000.