The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-03-06

I'VE will go no further till you give me
the hundred dollar BILL,
Debby trembled and turned pale, for
she thought she saw something in the
strangers eye that looked as though ht
was in earnest.
But surely you don't mean any such
thing?' said Dcbby, trying to pull the
rein from his hand. ITS TO bad to try to
brighten me so here.
We mustn't daily about it., soid the
stranger, holding the reins tightly; you
see | am in earnest by hiS,' drawing a
pistol from his pocket and pointing it
towards her.
oh! mercy SAID Dcbby,' 'you may
have the money, if YOU will let me GO
The money is all want, said tho
stranger, but there must be no more
daIlying; the sooner you hand it over the
better.
Debby at once drew forth the bill and
attempted to hand it TO the stranger, but
her hand trcmblcd so, it dropped from
her fingers just before it reached his,
and at that moment little gust of wind
waited it back gently toward the brook
The stranger leapcd from his horse and
then ran back two or three rods TO re-
cover it. Debby was not so lar gore in
her fright but that she had her thoughts
about heTand Selling the rein Of srang-
ers' s horse, she applied the whip to both
horses at once, and was instantly off up
on quick canter The man called to her
to stop in loud Threatening tone, and at
once fired his pistol at her; but as she
did not feel the cold lead, she did not
stop or turn even enough to give hun u
farewell look. The remaining FIVE miles
of her Journey was soon passed over land
as she came out into the settlement and
passed the dwellings, of her neighbors.
many were the heads that looked from
the windows and the doors, and great
was the wonderment at seeing Debby
riding home so fast, and leading such u
fine strange horse.
Her father, who had seen her come over
The hill, met her some rods from the house
rScaiming with looks Of astonishment,
What upon earth have you here, Debby!
whose horse is THAR
Why, Debby,w what has thee been doing!
said Mrs Wilder, who was but a few steps
behind her husband: thee doesn't look
well; what is the matter!'
AS soon as they were seated in the house,
Debby told them the whole story, and Mrs
Wilder's eyes were full oftears during the
Whole recital. When she had rested a lit
lie and the gush Of feeling began 10 subslde
Mr. Wildertelt so rejoiced at his daughters
escape, that he began TO feel in e&ceIlen:
spirits. lie led the strange horse to the
loor and began 10 examine him.
We'll, Debby,' said he, since you've
rot home safe at last, We may begin to talk
lbout business a little now. The hundred
lollar bill is gone; but after all, you have
1T made very bad bargain, That's the
ikeliesi horse I've seen this many day.
don't think it would be very difficult
natter to sell him for two hundred dollars.
At any rate III take the horse for the num-
Ired dollars, and you may have the saddle
or the twenty dollars you was to have gu:
If It,
and Tie saddle-bags, too, suppose said
)ebby, feeling a little disposed TO Join in the
oke.
Yes, said Mr. Wilder, mo, stop, we'll
zee what's in them first lie continued, un-
ying them from the saddle oh, there's
OTIS Of shirts, and stockings, and handkei-
hie(s, and capital good ones too. Yes.
)ebby, the saddle-bags are yours; these
hings come in very good time for Joseph,
ou know.
Debby colorcd, but said nothing.
Now, William, said Mrs Wilder, thee
s little too full ofthy fun,
No fun about it, said dcr,rcplacing,
he articles in the leather bags. Here,
)ebby. take 'em and take care Of EN-
Debby took the sadde-bags to her cham
yer, not little gratiied with the valuable
Irliclcs Of clothing they contained, She
'mpt!ej the contents upon the led; and on
Examining to see if everything was out, she
discovered an inside pocket in one of the
,ags. She opened it and drew therefrom
N elegant pocke,-book she found it con-
aimed a quantity of bills. She counted
nd counted, and counted, and her heart
'eat quicker and quicker, for before she
rot through she had fifteen hundred dol.
ars in good bank money.
Debby kept her own counsel, In few
ays it was rumored that Joseph Nelson
lad purchased an excellent little farm in
he neghborhood, that had been offered for
ale some months since at a thousand dol
lrs, and considered great bargnin,
Joseph, said Mr. Wilder, the nest time
hey met, i am asionished to hear that you
ave been running in debt for farm such
mes as these. think you ought to
ave worked three or four years ana got
before hand before running in
ebt so much.
But haven't been running in debt.
aid Joseph.
Haven't you bought Sanderson's (arm''
aid Wilder.
Yes, | have. said Joseph
AT thousand dolIars? said Wilder.
Yes said Joseph, but paid for it all
own don't run in debt Tor anything
Mr. Wilder was too much astonished to