Elder Conklin and Other Stories by Frank Harris
page 36 of 216 (16%)
page 36 of 216 (16%)
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Next day at breakfast Mr. Morris came in. He was an ordinary young Western farmer, rough but kindly, ill-educated but sensible. When his appetite was satisfied he wanted to know whether they had heard the news. "No," Mrs. Conklin replied eagerly, "we've heard nothing unless p'r'aps the Elder in Eureka"--but her husband shook his head, and Morris went on: "Folks say the Government in Washington has sent General Custer out with troops to pertect the Indian Territory. Away East they think the settlers have been stealing the Reserve, an' the soldiers are coming with surveyors to draw the line again." After a pause, "That seems right," said the Elder; "thar' ain't nothin' agen that." "But you've ploughed and raised crops on the Indian land across the crik," objected Morris; "we all hev. Air we to give it up?" There was no answer. "Anyway," Morris continued, "Custer's at Wichita now. He'll be here in a day or two, an' we've called a meetin' in the school-house for this evenin' an' we hope you'll be on hand. 'Tain't likely we're goin' to stand by an' see our crops destroyed. We must hold together, and all'll come right." |
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