Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-09-22
8 Real Gnah gtnry.
THE BORDER HEROINE.

| THE BORDER HEROINE.
Some years ago, before the State
of Arkansas was SO densely popula'
ted as now, auG when the mails from
Little Rock to the western borders
were carried on horseback, there
lived a few miles above Horse
Head stout pioneer named jacob
Barnap. His wife Polly and one
child--a girl-only nine years OLD
made up his family. His obieI
business was hunting,and his unerring
rife never failed to supply his boar !,
and something over. His nearest
neighbor vas fifteen miles of, so be
was little troubled with prying
visitors,
1t was early 10 the spring when
Jacob started With a load of furs
and skins. Hs left Polly in charge
of the premises, and left with her,
too, q 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 sboul-
der and said, 'nobly dene, Polly, my
dear! ! could have not made a better
shot myself" And be often had occa'
sion to say this, and with truth too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four
days when towards evening u horse
man rode up to the hunters door.
He was a small muscular man some
forty years of age, and seemed Injured
10 all sorts of hardships. As he
sprapg from his saddle, Polly made
her appearance. 50
"Ab, Polly, once more here" the
new conner said,as he Grew pair of
we'll filled saddle bags from the back
of his beast.
.sYes-and / am glad to see you
Morton. Jacob has been gone four
days, and time is growing heavy"
"Jacob gone? Where?"
s.Down the river with a load OF
furs."
"O--ah-yes. Well-you shall
have the company of Ian Morton
for one night at least; SO for the
twelve hours you'll feel safe.'
"Ob, I feel safe enough" returned
tha woman quickly, "opIy Lone
some.'
Thus speaking Morton threw his
saddle bags in the cabin and then led
his horse around to a shed, where
be msde the animal fast and fed
BIN. 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 trans
pired in her neighborhood since his
last visit, and her visitor gave her
the news from the eastern valley. !
Lqnt Morton had been the mail
carrier on that route for several
wears. and not once had be passed
through without spending the night
at jacob Burnap's. In fact. he was
the only visitor at the hunters
cabin, and though the intervals be-
tween bis visits we're long, yet he
seemed almost fixture to the
place. Polly Barnap, still 10 the
bloom of young womanhood. knew
his generous aud noble character,
40 she felt Tree at home in bis pres
euce. so
.Those are heavy bags for this
ronte," said the carrier, as ne put
away his pipe and prepared to retire,
"and." be added in an under tone,
atbey contain some valuable letters.
some fat ones, going to the fort.
"Is ii known on the route that
your load is SO vsluable?" asked
Polly.
II think not though it may be
Still I am well armed, and / fancy
it would be a tough job for any one
to attack old Liant" "a
ga man was robbed on the creei
a few days ago.
"And the robbers have lied,
added Morton carelessiy, as nt
drew his mail bag after him.
There we're three apartments il
Itbe lover cabin, the main room wher'
| the family lived, and then a small
pantry and provision room in ON
corner. and a bed room in the cor
ner opposite. Beneath was 9 deel
Cellar. where the provisions yer