The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-06-24
The Border Heroine.
A THRILLING STORY OF ARKANSAS ii

Some years ago, before the State of
Arkansas was SO densely populated as
now, and when the mail from Little
Hook to the western borders was car
ried on horseback, there lived a few
miles above Horse Head, stout pio-
neer named Jacob Barnap. His wife,
Polly and one child-a girl-only nine
years old-made up his family. His
chief business was hunting, and his un-
erring rifle never failed to supply his
board, and something over. His near
est neighbor was twenty miles off, so
he was little troubled with paying Wis
itors.
1t was in early spring that Jacob
started with load of furs and skins.
He left Polly in charge of the premises,
and left with her, too, light rifle and
brace of pistols. She knew how to use
that rifle, for never was she happier
than when her husband patted her on
the shoulder, and sale, ." Nobly done !;
Polly, my dear could not have made
a better shot myself" And he often
had occasion to say this, and with truth,
too.
Jacob Barnap had been gone four
days when, towards evening, a horse
man rode up to the hunters door. He
was a small muscular man, some forty
years of age, and seemed Injured to all
sorts of hardships. AS he sprang from
his saddle Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly-once more here" the
new conner said, as he drew pair of
well-filled saddle bags from the back of
his beast.
EYES, and I am glad to see you,
Morton. Jacob has been gone for four
days, and the time is growing heavy"
"Jacob gone! Where ?"
"Down the river with load of skins
and furs."
"Oh-ah-yes. Well-you shall
have the company of Liant Morton for
one night-at least: so for the next
twelve hours you'll feel safe"
"Oh, l feel safe enough" returned
the woman quickly, "only lonesome. y
"Well, then, for this evening you
shan't be lonesome"
Thus speaking, Morton threw his
saddle and saddle-bags into the cabin
and then led his horse around to a shed,
where he made the animal fast and fed
him. After this he returned to the
dwelling and entered and was soon
after discussing the events of the times
over an ample supper. His hostess told
him all that had transpired in her neigh
borhood since his last visit, and her
visitor gave her the news from the
eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been the mail car
rier on the route for several years, and
not once had he passed through with
out spending night at Jacob Barnap's.
In fact he was about the only visitor
at the hunters cabin, and though the
intervals between his visits were long,
yet he seemed almost fixture of the
place. Polly Barnap, still in the bloom
of young womanhood-knew his gene
rous, noble character, and she felt at
home in his presence.
"Those are heavy bags for this
route" said the carrier, as he pat away
his pipe and prepared to retire,
and," he added in an under tone,
"they contain some valuable letters
some fat ones-going to the fort"
Is it known on the route that your
load is so valuable % asked Polly.
/ think not, though it may be.
Still, / am well armed, and / fancy that
it would be tough job for any one to
take old LIANT"
GA man was robbed on the creek a
few days ago."
And the robbers have fled )" added
Morton carelessly, as he drew his mail
bags after him. ~
There were three apartments in the
lower cabin-the main room where the
family ived-then small pantry and
provision room in one corner, and a
bedroom in the corner opposite. Be-