The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-06-02

to tackle old Liant"
"a man was robbed on the creek
few days since" .,,
"And the robbers have fed,n adde,
Morton, carelessly, as he drew the mai
bags after him. .az1.-s
i There were three apartments in tn
lower cabin-the main room where tn
family lived then small pantry ant
pros sion room in one corner, and bet
room in the corner opposite. Beneatl
was deep cellar; where the provision
were kept in the summer, and wher'
they could be equally we'll kept in thu
winter, for frost never entered the deel
hole the hunter had dug. Besides there
was the loft with tightly boarded floor
which was reached by ladder from the
pantry, and in this latter place the mai
carrier slept. he had dragged the mail
bag after him, not caring to leave SO
precious treasure beyond his reach.
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock.
as he was tired and sleepy from his hard
ride. Polly had work to do, having
neglected it while talking with her guest,
SO when she had seen him safely at rest
in the loft, she drew her basket up to
tie table where the candle was, and
went to work on some clothing for her
child, who was sleeping souudiy in the
bedroom in the corner. 1
The old German clock, which hung
up on the wall, with its great weights
and winding strings all exposed, had
struck ten ere Polly arose from her
work She had just pushed her basket
beneath the table and taken up the can.
die, when the front, door was opened and
two men entered. They were in their
stockings, their shoes having been left
outside.
'-sh!'' uttered the foremost
of the intruders. "Speak but one word
above whisper, and you die on the IN
stant I''
Polly recovered from her quick terror,
aud gazed up. She saW.two stout, wick
ed, ugly looking men, one of whom pre-
sen,ed cooked pistol towards her
With that quickuess of PERCEPTION nat
urak to her she knew that the pistol
would not be fred if she hold her peace,
as that would make greater noise than
she could, and further--she. recognized
~ fnrronof Of Tho
william, who bore the name of Dick Gal
Jus She had never seen him before,
but the minute descriptions her husband
had given her of the man, led her at
once to know him-and positively, too;
for one big scar on his left check was
mark enough.
"What seek ye, gentleman ?'' asked
Polly, without betraying the least bit of
fear.
ave have. come to see Morton the
mail CARRIER" returned Gallus, 10
coarse whisper. where is he? Don't
speak too loud"
8 sHe is long since asleep, would it not
doSas we'll to see him in the morning?
1 can fud you lodging"
The fair hostess had said this for the
purpose of gaining time. She knew
very well that these men had come to
rob the carrier, and she was equally sure
that they could, and in all probability
would put her out of the way as veil
They had evidently heard of the valua-
BILE load he carried, aud meant to carry
it in his stead. In short, she only knew
the character of the bold rufians,, but
she also new their business. Their
very warning and threat to her were
proof positive. q.
"Never mind his being asleer. Show
us where he is at once" roughly replied.
Gallus, in answer to Polls remark.
% But Lean call him, good sirs,'' rea-
soned the good woman calmly, though
there was alarm in her seul.
"Call him ? Call-l'' growIcd the
william with fierce oath. You call
him and you'll be called to another
world, show us the way"
The mild eye that could aim an uner:
ring bullet at the forest beast did not
betray the thoughts of that woman's
soul nor did look tell her meaning
She was pale but she did not tremble.
"This way, sirs," she whispered.
And as she spoke she turned towards
a door which was situated directly be-
tween the doors of the little bedroom
aud the pantry. She did not open it
until both men were close behind her.
"Don't you hear him breathe ?" she
whispered.
"Yes," returned both Williams, and
they did hear breathing, but twas that
of a child close at hand.
AS they thus answered her. she threw
the door wide open--it opened inward
The men saw dark void, but they press
ed forward. In another instant Polly
Burnap leaped back-Gallus was upon
the threshold, and his companion was
close upon his heels. With all her pow
er the noble woman threw herself against
the rear man, aud the next moment
both the robbers lay sprawling on the
bottom of the celler.