The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-09-17
OTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER L. 1857.

ing around, and stopped with a low whine in
front Of small wooden chest which sto cd
near.
NeitLer Of them had as ye. perceived me,
bat as the man aimed cold bone he had been
picking, at Bravo's head, I spraag forward.
lie leaped 10 his feet. ard the look of ming.
led malignity and confusion that crossed his
features, frightened me. I would have re-
treated, but the rain was now pouring in tor
rents without; and more than all, quick,
overwhelming suspicion flashed across my
mind. Lucy had not been seen since they
went away, and who knew but what they had
stolen her.
looked all around. There was no place
for concealment, unless it was the chest, and
by thst Bravo was still lingering, scratching
it with his fore paws, and whining most pte-
ously.
With that instructive cautiousness which
comes to persons in sudden emergencies, /
called Bravo away; for the conviction that I
was nearer Lucy than had been before that
evening, settled upon me with a force that I
could not shake OFT, and knew must be
crafty. m as g
81 hope, my good people,'' said I, in mol
lifying tone, 'syou will excuse me if insrude;
but asyou see. am caught in the shower, and
cannot 30 ON. May sit here2'' l 7a
And advanced at the same time toward the
chest. s44e1 ass3 tass 8sse.4 Is
They had sat staring at me while l spoke,
and apparently not more thaa half compehen-
ding what said; but when | made a move-
nent toward that, the woman, with ferocious
scowl, and an oath warded in bad English,
sprang to intercept me. a
She was too late. l had already taken my
seat, and was unconcernedly stroking the head
of Bravo, who crouched, still whining, at my
side. t.s.f ssa a5s ~ as af,gF5ssl q sss.Ira 81
Thrown off her guard, by my apparent list
lessness, she returned to her place, and took
uphei pipe. Evidently, though she eyed. me
narrowly, she had not recognized me. f
And now hearcd movement in the box
beneath me, that made my very heart stand
still 10 listen--a movement as of some living
object confined, and feeling about in its prissn.
turned my eyes careiessly, while STOPPING
down, apparently to caress Bravo, and dlscov-
cred two or three rows of holes in the side of
the box. The seeEed to have been newly
bored by the little ridges Of sawdust that sur
rounded them. Nothing more was needed to
convince me. Lucy was there, and those
holes were for ventilation!
could hardly restrain my agitation within
bounds. Doubtless she had heard either nv
voice or the whining of Bravo, and had taken
he only method in her power to manifest her
presence. Even then her little heart migh be
aching with its burden of uncertainty, terror
and despair. What could do to save hei?
A tho isand plans dalted through my head
in an insta"t. My first impulse was to accuse
hem to their faces, and bid them release her
on the spo'; but desperate as they would be.
come on the discovery of tEeir guilt, what
might they not be tempted to do? If they
should raurder me and bury me in the woods,
what chance would either of us have of being
found, so long as our whole family and per-
haps half the neighborhood were running hith-
er and thither in their search for Lucy? |
knew by the evil expression of the faces.
that they would not hesitate to kill me, il l
stood in the way Of their plans, and it would
be the height OF foolhardiness for me to at
tempt TO resist or deiain them, if they cI.oose
to depart, for either of them could have mas
tered three like me, nerved though was, to
meet the worst emergency that offered itself.
"Bravo, my good doggy, do you think you
can do an errand for me?'' ! said playfuily,
checking any expression Of my emotion by
strong effort of will. Bravo wagged his tail
and barked joyfully.
took smallpiece OF paper from my pock-
ct, but found had no pencil. had noticed
as came in, place where fires hal been
bull. outside, and going out, found bit of
charred wood, with which returned to my
task. My companions were eyeing me sus-
piciously.
"P--e-a-s-e, please, bring, bring" |
said, spelling aloud as wrote, that they might
hear me, "m-e, an, u-m-b-r-e-l-l-a, umbrel-
la.o hsts 7"i err sa
Ispelled the note one way and wrote it an
other. twas TO my mother, and ran thus:
"Send father and the boys to me without
delay. think l have found Lucy, alive and
well, but need help. Icannot stop to say
more. For Heavens sake, tell them to hast
en-. Bravo will show them where to find
me-"
Folding the almost illegible missive, put it
in Bravo's mouth, telling him to carry it home.
As il he understood the errand on which ne
was gong, and the result depending upon his
faithful ful6llment Of it, he started on brisk
trot homeward. That was long, long time l
sat there, waiting for his return. The even-
ing gathered slowly, till the darkness in that
little cabin became almost impenetrable. The
rain had leaked down through the loose beard
roof, till was wet and chilly. The sobbing
Of the wind and rain among the trees, and the
low numbling conversation carried on between
my companions, were the only sounds that ii,-
terrupted my dreary flow Of thoughts. What
il none Of the men-folks had returned home?
What il Bravo should loose his note, and /
was forced either to remain there all night, In
that desolate and uncomfortable position, or
grope my way home alone, and leave Lucy
where she was? That, was decided would