Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-09-05
THE RoBDER OF HALsrEAD.
BY N. L. BURDICK,

THE ROBBER OF HALSTEAD.
BY N. L. BURDIoK.
Our scene opens upon highway nearly
three leagues from London. The shades
of evening were fast setting in when a
horseman bestriding noble steed, who
seemed quite exhausted by his days jour
ney entered the avenue leading through
Halstead Wood Z; and the young mar, =
for he seemed scarcely yet twenty two
years Of age-as he entered the forest, now
made gloomy by darkness OF the falling
night, drew from head his richly en-
brodered cap of velvet, and as he wiped
from his brow the perspiration, he mur>
muTed-
" But short distance, now, my good
steed and our journey is ended. 'Ts a
long time since left the city of my birth,
and parents and sweet sister-God forbid
that aug ght should have fallen them during
my abSence-will scarcely know me. But
| will give them II surprise-ah! that will
be delightful - and as he spoke he again
placed the cap upon his head and started
onward at brisk pace.
But scarcely had he proceeded ten rods
when from thicket on the right q man
whose face was covered win mask rush
ed from his concealment, and ere the trav-
cler WAS aware of his presence, seized the
horse by his bride, and with powerful
jerk, nearIy threw him upon his launches;
then levellng directly at the strangers S
breast heavy pistol, he exclaimed
Christianity deliver up the money in your
possession. or your life will pay the for
felt"
The young mans eyes flashed with pas
sion for moment, then, spurring his
horse which gave spring forward leaped
with bound from his saddle and ere
the rObber whose attention had been for
All instant directed to the horse, could
prevent it. or before his arm could be
raised one hand'of the traveller was fairly
grlped on his throat and the other piniOn-
ing the arm which held the pistol.
Fiercely did the robber struggle in his
endeavors to free himself from the young
mans hold, but it was all in vain; he might
as we'll have attempted to move rock.
Soon his face turned to purple hue, and
as he vainly endeavored to utter a sen.
tence, he opened his hand, the pistol fell
upon the ground, and he turned his eyes
with an imploring look upon his captor.
Nor was it unheeded. for the young man
unloosed his hold of the robbers throat,
and drawing from his pocket handker-
chief, he firmly bound the hands of the
captive and then taking the loaded pis-
tol from the ground he placed it within
his own bosom.
The robber as his captor stepped from
him sank upon the turf, and to the aston
ishment of the young man, buried his
face in his bound bands, and burst into a
flood Of tears.
"Alas poor Marian" he sobbed, "you
will now starve, and I, oh heaven ! shall
not be near you.
"Starve-Marian!" repeated the young
man whose astonishment WINS great "by
all that's good, l have sister by that
name and she of whom you speak shall
not starve. Tell me, my good man, why
did you attempt to rob mo You seem
not like common william"
" Neither am t. said the robber lift
ing his heads at the words.
"Then why, again ask did you at
tempt my robbery %
" will tell you, as you desire it, and
God knows it is all truth. Two years age
was clerk in the employ of a wealthy in
fuential firm in London. And at the man
sion of the junior partner, I one evening
made the acquaintanceofa a beautiful young
lady, daughter Of rich merchant. Our
intimacy ripened into love and we became
pledge to one another. Thus affairs stood
when the father of my Marian became &C.
qusinted with the fact, and forbid me hi:
house. was but an humble clerk, ht
said, and was not amatch for her whose
affections I had gained. But the stern
ness of the father altered not the feeling.
of the daughter, for in few weeks We
effected an elopement and then Marian be
came my wife.
Her father, from that moment would
never see her face and he declared thu
not a pound of his wealth should ever b,
bestowed upon his ungrateful girl. B,
his Vaccinations, also lost my situation
and six months since left the employmen
Of my hitherto kind benefactor. Oh, God
the agony of mind I have since endurel
would have maddened my brain, had NO
|! my gentle Marian been uppermost in ~,