Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-27

''' 9.'1 ~ esuiheu IL might De possible to Dor
row lew dollars for short time But then
she knew her father was so strenuouslv onnos.
ed to borrowing, that he would on no account al
low It to be done and would never forgive her
should he lind out that she had done it without
ms knowledge or consent. She might get trust.
ca Tor some OF the articles she wanted, but sew
eral OF them OF the most importance were at
Harry Mllers store, and she would not ask 70
De trusted there, II she never obtained the arti-
Giles.
Her reveries were at last broken by the sound
OF horse coming up at rather quick trot he
hInd her. She looked over her shoulder, and
there was the tall man with the black whiskers.
mounted on large and beautiful black horse.
WITHIN few yards of her. She shuddered lit.
Tie at iirst at the idea of having his company
through Inc woods, but as he came up he acccs.
ted her with such bland smile and such gen.
tie and easy manners, that she soon recovered
from her trepldation, and rode on with her won't
ed composure.
"Rather long road here, Miss said the
stranger, looking at the dark woods that Law in
the great valley before them. Chow far do YOU
go, Miss!' 0'
ing little
81 am happy to find company on the road
SAID the stranger, for it is rather lonesome rid
ing alone. trust you'll allow me to be your
protector through the woods
Debby thanked him, but said, "she was never
lonesome and never afraid. Still, in lonely
place II was always more agreeable to have com
panv'
"Dld you make out to get your bill changed!'
said the stranger.
"No,' said Debby, 81 tried till was tired,
but could not find any one to chance IT,
don't know but shall have TO come back arain
Tomorrow for It is impossible to get it changed
in our neighborhood.'
The stranger made himself very agreeable in
conversation, and Debby began to think that her
feelings at first had done him Injustice, and she
tired what she could to make amends by heinz
social and agreeable in her turn. A couDle of
miles more had been passed over in this way. not
unpeasantly, and they had now reached the
deepest and darkest part of the valley through
which the road lay. The heavy woods was
above them and around them, and not sound
was to be heard except the murmurinr of a little
brook, over which they had just passed. The
stranger suddenly rode close to her side, and
SEEING the rem OF her bride, told her at once
she must give him the hundred dollar bill.
NOW this Is carrying the joke too far, said
Debby, trying to laugh ain such a ulace as
this too, it's enough to frghen one.'
It's no joke at ALL SAID the STRANGER: " NO
viii 60 no further till you give me the hundred
dollar bill
uJdghhtHg ne Saw Something in the STRANGER tha,
looked as though he was in earnest.
But surely you don't mean any such thing .
sdiu Deooy, trying TO pullthe rein from his hand.
ITS too bad to try to brighten me so here
ave must Mt daily about it, said the stran.
ger, holding the rein tightly; you see am in
earnest BY his,' drawing a pistol from his book.
ct and pointing 1t towards her.
'Oh mercy said Debby, you NAV have
the money il you will let Inc CO.
The money is all want said the STRANGER.
but there must be no more dallyinr; the soon.
you hand it over the better
Debby at once drew forth the biz, and at
tempted to hand it to the stranger, but her hand
trembIed so, it dropped from her timers lust be.
fore 1t reached his, and at that moment A little
gust of wind waited it back gently toward the
brook. fhe stranger leaped from his horse and
ran back two or three rods to recover it, Deh-
by was not so far gone in her fright but that she
mad her thoughts about her; and Selling the
rem OF the strangers horse, she applied the whin
10 Duth horses at once, and was instantly off up-
on quick canler. The man called 10 her 10
stop III loud, threatening tone, and at once fir.
ed his pistol at her but as she did not feel the
to give HIM farewell look. The REMAINING
five miles of her journey was soon passed over
and as she came out into The settlement and pas
sed the dwellings OF her ei9hhors, many were
The heads that looked from the windows and
doors, and great was the wondering at seeiur
)ebby riding home SO fast, and leading such a
fine strange horse.
Her father, who had seen her come over the
hui, met her some rods from the house. exclaim
ing with looks OF astonishment, what uDon
earth have you here Debby. Whose horse is
that =
why, Debby, what has thee been doing y
SAID Mrs. Wilder, who was but a few steps be-
hind her husband thee doesn't look we'll -
what is the matter 7!
AS soon as they were seated in the house,
JeDby told them the whole story, and Mrs.
Wllders' eyes were full of tears duripr the
whole recital. When she had rested a lttIe,
and the gush of feeling began to subside. Mr..
Wilder felt SO rejoiced at his daughters escape.
that he began to be in excellent spirits. lie
led the strange horse to the door, and began TO
examine him.
well, Debby,' said he, since you have
got home safe at last, we may begin TO talk
about business now. The hundred dollar
bill is gone; but I'm thinking after all, YOU
""'H 'i'"ue very pdu bargain. That S
the likcliest horse I've seen this MANY day.
| don't think it would be very difficult mat
ter to sell him for two hundred dollars. AT
any rate iii take the horse for the hundred
dollars, and you may have the saddle for the
twenty dollars you was to have out of it,
'And the saddle-bags, too, ! suppose, >
said Debby, feeling little disposed to Join
in the joke.
yes, and the saddle-bags, too said Mr..
Wilder, no, stop, well see what's in them
first he continued un,ying them from the
saddle. ooh, there's lots of shirts, stockings,
and handkerchiefs, and capital good ones too.
Yes, Debby, the saddle-bags are yours =
these things come in a very good time for
Joseph you know
Debby colored, but said nothing.
Now, William said Mrs. Wilder, 'thce
is a little too full of thy fun
No fun about it, said Mr.. Wilder, re-
placing the articles in the leather bags
Here Debby, take 'em, and take care of
EN-
Debby took tho saddle bags to her cham
Der, not little gratifed with the valuable