Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-04-15


A serpent wasthe ssHHit@de OF decor
i tion-of seduction ofeiaity-infact tia
enemy o!. mankind was called that old sci
pent, tile devil A serpent had been des
troyed by a stranger, which proba bly, wouI
have destroyed her Slaughter but he
daughter would not have been exposed ha
j It NOT been for this'stranger. 1t was in as
sIIsisiing him that she became jeopardized- :
i still she might have bsea sfrolling that wa
land might have been bitten. by the snake
.fif the stranger had neser appeared. A
I any rate The factskw erd5 5hsxame the snak
seald say j
was not favora BILE omen.
"Who knows, nay daughter" said she
"but that this strsnger is at least the har
binger ST some good news for US! | thinl
| have seen him before; and his offering ii
the irst place to pay the debt and releas'
your father is strong proof that he feels
more than common sympathy for our mis-
fortunes"
81 hope" said the girl, "that it may bt
as you predict he is the finest looking mar
1 ever saw-he appears so sensible-se
modest; and how glad | was to see him
drag that ugly fellow out of doors"
"Yes my dear, and it was in our defence
for which fear he will meet with trouble
81 heard them talking at the corner oI
the house, said Sophia and I thought they
were contriving how to way lay him, and
am afraid they will take his life "
Let us pray for his safety, and for ter
mination of our domestic troubles" said
the mother; and kneeling down with her
son and daug hter BY her side, the girl read
the evening prayers for the family from the
Church Common Prayer Book, and at the
end her mother made short extempora-
neous pra, er in behalf of the stranger, and
as she closed her petitions, Sophia pro-
nounced "AMhN," with such an unusual
emphasis, that she was somewhat fris ht,
eaed at the echo Of her own voice in so loud
sound.
They arose from their humble posture,
and at the same moment rap was heard
at the door. at which they all started, and
in comes at the boys opening the door, the
person for whom they had been addressing
the Father OF Mercies the stranger, who
had returned from the Red Mills.
"We have Just been conversing about
you," said Mrs Thompson.
ayes, and praying for me too," returned
the stranger, "which | overheard as | came
up to the door,
The ladies both blushed, for bushes will
sometimes crimson the. purest devotional
being, if they spring from The warmth. of
devotion itself, as the beams of the heavenly
sun open and expand the buds of the morn
ing rose. "Yes sir" rejoined the old lady,
eve were alarmed for your safety, and feel
ing grateful for the interest you seem to
take in our forlorn situation, we put up our
feeble prayers for your success in whatever
laudlble enterprise you are engaged"
"Thank you, madam replied he; can
stay but moment; where are those ruff
fans that saw herep'
"They went towards the village, and we
fear they are determined to injure you;
perhaps they will attack you from an am
buscade.
''Never fear that" said he, II am well
prepa ed for such fellows. In the mean
time comfort yourselves with the hope of
better times.'' So saving he bid them good
MIG hit, and was off in moment.
they looked tron the window, but saw
nothing except the sparks of fire which his
horses shoes struck from the fl inty rocks.
over which he bounded with Il full: glllop,
as they Judged from thesound Of his feet.
preserve him." cried the mother.
The daughter looked pale, aud family Ut
tered, IL HOPE so."
During this time, the lawyer had been
to the village, and hired two more men
armed with nuskets, and all five had plant
ed themselves in the pine woods, at proper
distances, to seize the robber as they call
ed him, dead or alive; for they understood
from another man in the village,who came
with the stranger, and who they supposed
was his accomplice in the robbery, as he
would give no direct answers to their in
quiries, that the stranger would positively
be there that night.
1t was about ten o'clock when our stran-
ger left the log hut, and as he entered the
pine woods, an awful black cloud lowered
over the tops Of the gloomy ypines rendered
visible by now and lhen fash of light
ming, and beginning TO wave briskly to and
fro by the gusts of wind TINT began TO roar
among the branches, with claps Of heavy
believing thunder.
He had proceeded little more than half
way throu gh the woods, when he found his
horse suddenly stopped by two men selz'
ing him by the bride, one On each side Il
He drew pistol from his pocket, sho,
one, who fell and knocked down the other
with the but of his whip, as he put spurs to
his horse: but had not gone but afew rods,
when two muskets were fired at him, the
ball from one went through his hat crown,
and the other cut button from his vest.
but did not injure him. At the same in
stan,, all three sprang in the path before
him, and vii the butts of their muskets,
laid his horse over the head, aud so stag
gered him that with the others behind, who
had now come up, being recovered from
their wounds, they succeeded after vio-
lent struggle, in tearing the stranger from
his horse, who had discharged another
pistol among them without much effect,
and had fought most desperately with his
heavy loaded whip, and given several Sc.
we're contusions. They made him their
prisoner, pinioned his arms behind him and
led him in triumph to the village, where they
secured him under keepers until morning.
CHAPTER w.