The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-05-04

forgery on mercantile firm in Peoria
and its being discovered, fed the place,
leaving Lenox to stand the brunt Of his
evil deeds, AS the forgery had been
committed in the name of the firm. Ed.
gar was arrested and tried as co-partner
in the guilt, and held to bail in SO, 900, to
appear at court. An old farmer named
Lincon, residing in the edge of Grand
Prairie, had went security and given the
necessary bonds for the appearance of
Lenox, and he was permitted to run at
large. He had been absent for several
months at Springfield, and on his way to
stand his trial, which was to come off the
day after he left Broadrick tavern ; and
it was the strong desire to be present by
so doing secure his bailer, and induced
him to undergo the perIs of ride on a
dark night over gloomy prairie.
The wind cut keenly, and blew a strong
breeze from the north, as he mounted the
first little knoll of the large plain, and
cast his eyes over the dreary expanse be-
fore him. For twenty miles the road lay
through wide valley, with not bush or
tree to break the extensive gaze. and
LenoX shuddered as he beheld the sun
sink behind the western horizin and saw
the gloom of night gradually setting up.
on the spot, But with compressed lips he
gave loose reiIlto his fine horse, who
slElkip iIilQ 4 swift pace, boreshis daunt-
fIaeffapidly into the prairie
IIqavy clouds covered the Northern
aliyr and driven gradually by the wind,
Spread over the entire surface of the hea-
Mems, and some two hours after Lenox en-
Nered the prairie, he felt flake after flake
of snow began to fall upon his face, and
became aware that he was about TO en-
counter the most dreaded of all evils, a
night ride over a wide valley in heavy
snow storm. NoiseleSsly the snow came
down, and the dark bosom of earth soon
began to grow white beneath the storm,
and each moment the road grew more
and more dim under the snow.
An hour passed, and in vain the eye of
Edgar endeavored TO trace the outlines Of
the highway over which he was travelling.
He could discern nothing but one wide
white expanse of unbemiShed snow eve
rywhere alike and hiding every indication
of the road. Under these circumstances
he allowed his horse to take his own way,
and the noble steed pushed rapidly for
ward though going in direction which
seemed 10 the bewldered senses of Len
OK. exactly opposite the one which he wish
ed to travel.
Thus three long hours rolled by, and
ever and anon Edgar could distinguish
the howl ofthe prairie wolf as it rose loud
and dismal over the wild waste around
him, and then died away as still as the
grave. No pale moon sent down her
cheering rays upon the plain, no twink
ling star glittered with its feeble light in
the dark dome above but one black
cloud hid from view, and as the lone
traveller raised his wistful face to heaven,
to catch a glimpse of the sky, the cold
snow drops fell thick and fast upon his
chilled cheeks, warning him that the
storm still ragged on.
At last he gained the shelter of some
timber. This he knew by the sudden
darkness which covered the way, and the
constant failing of the wind, and being
almost benumbed with cold, he dismount-
ed from his horse, which he found by feel
ing around him and began to walk and
jump briskly about and set the stagnant
blood in circulation. This exercise he
continued until day broke over the spot
and as soon as it was light enough to see
he began to explore his position, he found
himself in the head of a ravine which run
winding down into the woods and mount
ing the bank he looked around him Up
on one side of him the broad prairie
spread out to view, and on the other the
forest; but as far as the eye could reach
no human habltaion appeared in sight
While Lenox stood gazing around him
a party of fifty horSemen suddenly rose
upon knoll in the prairie, and came gal
lOping swiftly towards him The fore.
most of the band, and one who seemed
by his dress and actions leader, carried
a woman on the saddle in front of him,
andthe whole party seemed in haste as
they came rapidly onward.
1t was the work of an instant for Edgar
to conceal himself behind large tree and
in moment tie band came galloping by,
within fifty feet of him, and swept on and
10 the wool but qnick as they sped by
Leno> recognized in thcpac face Of he
maiden the features Of Ada Lincon the
only daughter of he old farmer who had
went his bail and in the person of the
capturer, the form of his former partner,
Cole.
The whole circumstance rushed like
to the mind of LenoX. He had
often heard his partner speak in rapturous
terms Of the beauty of the old iarmer 8
who came occasionally to the
store with her father to trade; and short
ly after the discovery of the forgery, and
the disappearance of Cole a band, of da-
ring outlaws made their appearance upon
the Grand Prairie, and began to infest the
citizens and the country around. Here
tofore they had been content with steal
ing horses, and occasionally committing
a burglary but Edgar was now convln.
ced they had made bolder swoop and
carried off forcibly the daughter of Lin