Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-11-24

y lU.
Al length the hounds ceased their ncise,
and ali was quiet. An hour passed, and SO
! did another. IL must have been nearly mid
/ night when the men moved again, and the lad
] Philip saw the rays of n candle fash up
through the cracks of the floor on which stood
his bed He would have moved TO the crack
where he could peep down, but at that mo-
ment he heard man on the ladder lie ut
tered quick whisper 10 his brother, and they
lay perfectly still. The man came to the top
of the ladder, and held his light up 50 that
be could look upon the boys. The fellow
| seemed 20 be perfectly satisfied that they were
asleep, for he soon returned 10 the ground
floor, and then Philip crept to the crack. He
saw the men take knives and be heard them
whispering.
''Well kill the old man and woman first"
said one of them; Z" then we'll hunt the mo-
noy. If those little brats up there Ipointing
to the scafoldl wake up, we can easily take
care Of them
=" But We must kill them all, - said another
Of the villains.
Eyes" returned the frst speaker, bat
tn, young ones first they may make noise
! and start the old man up.
Down the ladder outside quick :" he
whispered to his brother. " Down, and start
up the dogs Run for tho front door and throw
| it open 1T isn't fastened, o, do let the dog,
in the house; be quick as you can. I'll look
I
Daniel quickly crawled out through the 1T
Tie window, and Philip seized rife and crept
TO the edge of the scafold, Two Of the vii.
lains were just approaching the door Of his
fathers room. They had set the candle down
on tie floor, SO that its light would fall into
the bedroom as the door was opened. Philip
drew back the hammer Of the rife, and rested
the muzzle upon the elge of the boards One
Of the men had bis hand upon the latch. The
boy hero uttered single word Of heartfelt
prayer, and then he pulled the trigger The
villain whose hand was upon the latch ut
tered one sharp quick cry, and then fell upon
The tloor. The bullet had passed through his
brain.
For an instant the two remaining Villains
were confounded but they quickly cor2Dre-
hended the nature and position Of their enemy
and they spranS for the ladder. They did NOS
reach it, however, for at that moment the
outer door was flung open and the hourds--
io9r IN numoer-sprapg into the house. With
deep, wild yell, the animals leaped upon the
villains, and they had drawn them upon the
floor just as the old hunter came from the
room. Help US. help US, father :" cried
PhlIp, rs he hurried down the ladder. "I've
shot one of them They are murderers rob
bers' Hold EN-, hold EN-" the boy con-
t'nuej clapping his hands TO the doys Old
Slater coInprehended the nature Of the scene
| IN a moment, and sprang to the spot where the
| hounds had the two nen upon the floor The
villains lad both lost their knives and the
| dogs had 50 wounded them that hey were in
capable cf resistance. With much difficulty
| the animals were called aud the two men
| were lifted to a scat There IVES no need Of
binding them. fo- they needed soms more re-
stofatve sgent, as the dogs had made quick
work IN disabling them
After they had been looked to- the Old man
| cast his eyes about the TOOm. They rested
l,o11cp. upon the boiy Of him who had been
shot, and tncn turned upon the boys Philip
| ted him all that had happened. II seemed
| sumo time before the odd hunter could crowd
| the whole teenling truth through his mind;
| but as he gradually conprehended il all,
soft, grateful, proud light broke over his fea-
tures, and be held his arms out to his sons
Noble, noble boys.' be uttered, az he
| clasped them t. his bosom "God bless you
for this. ., l dreamed not that you had such
| hearts,
For a long time the old man gazed on bis
| boys IN silence, while tears of love aud graft
| tudc relied down his checks and his whole
face was lighted up with the most joyous, holy
pride.
Long before daylight Philip mounted his
horsc and started for the nearest settlement,
i ard early in the forenoon the officers Of JUS
tlce had the two wounded men in charge
while the body of the third was removed
They we're recognised by the officers as crimi-
| mails Of notOriety; but this was their last ad-
'Sheuic; IoI 1he Juh'ce tney nau 50 long out
! ragged fell upon them, and stopped them in
their career.
Should any OF our readers chance to pass
down the Ohio river, beg they will take no.
tice of a largo white mansion that stands eon
the southern bank, with white forest park in
! front Of it, and situated some eight miles west
Of Owensboro'. Ask your steamboat captain
who lives there, and he will tell you, Philip
Slater and Brother, retired -four merchants y
They are the boy heroes Of whom have been
writing.