The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-10-14
BEDFORD, Pa, FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER IA, 1853

Dut lHty uTeW OdCk at lIfeiF young IIdSteF OtCl
and Philip gathered the flesh allup. He easi
ly quieted the faithful brutes, and then quickly
tied the meat in the sheet. There was a ligh
ladder Standing near the dog house, and setting
this up against the building, Phillip made h
way back to his little loft, and when once safe
ly there, he pulled the sheet IN after him.
The strangers had not been aroused, anc
with beating heart the boy thanked Cod
He had performed an act, simple as it may ap-
pear, at which many stout heart would have
qualled. The dogs growed as they went back
into their kennel, and If the strangers heard
them, they thought the poor animals were
growing over the repast they had found.
AT length the hounds ceased their noise, and
all was quiet. An hour passed away, and so
did another. l; must have been nearly md
night when the men moved again, and the lad
Philip saw the rays ofa candle flash up through
the cracks of the floor on which stood hls bed.
He would have moved TO the crack where he
could peep down, but at that moment he heard
a man upon the ladder. He uttered quick
whisper to his brother, and they lay perfectly
still. The fellow seemed 10 be perfectly salts
fed that they were asleep, for he soon return
ed to the ground floor, and then Philip crept
TO the crack. He saw the men ia Ike knives, and
heard them Whispering
sWe'll kill the old man aud woman first"
said one of them, ''and then We'll hunt the
money. Ifthem little brats up there ,,(pointiDg
to the scalfoli) wake up, we can take care of
them.''
''But we must Kill them all" said another of
the villains.
eyes," returned the speaker, "but the old
ones first"
Phillips heart beat with horror.
@Down the ladder outside quick ~ be
whispered to his brother. Down, and start up
the dogs Run for the front door, and throw
it open-it isn't fastened. Oh, do let the dogs
in the house as quick as you can I'll look
ani ioa father while you 20 ~
Daniel crawled out through the little WIN
dow, and Philip seized rifle and crept to the
head of tie scaiTold. Two of the villains were
Just approaching the door of MS fathers room.
They had set the candle down on the floor, so
that its light would fall into the bedroom as
the door was opened. Philip drew the ham,
mer of his rife back, and rested the muzzle up
on the edge OF the board. One of the men had
his hand upon the latch. The boy-hero utter
ed a single word of heartfelt prayer, and then
pulled the trigger. The villain whose hand
was on the latch, uttered one sharp, quick cry,
and then tell upon the floor. The bullet had
passed through his brain.
For an instant the two remaining villains
were contounded, but they quickly comPrehen-
ded the nature aud position OF their enemy, and
they sprang for the ladder. They did not.reach
it, however, for at that instant the outer door
was flung open, and the hounds-tour in num-
ber-sprang into the bouse. With a deep,
wild yell, the animals leaped upon the villains
and they had drawn them upon the floor Just as
the old hunter came from his room.
"Help US help US, father 70 cried Philip, as
he hurried down the ladder. ''I've shot one of
them They are murderers! robbers! Hold
'em, hold 'em" the boy continued, claPPlng
his hands to the dogs.
Old Slater comprehended the nature OF the
scene in moment, and Sprang TO the spot
where the hounds had the two men on the floor
The villains had both lost their knives, and the
dogs had 50 wounded them that they Were in
capable of resistance. With much dlthcnlty
the animals were called off, and then the two
men were lifted 10 a seat. There was no need
of binding them, for they needed some more
restorative agent, as the dogs had made quick
work in disabling them.
Alter they had been looked TO, the old man
cast his eyes about the room. They rested a
momen! upon the body OF him who had been
shot, and then turned upon the boys. Philip
told hun all that had transpired. 1t seemed
some time before the old hunter could crowd
the whole teeming truth through his mind !;
bat as he gradually comprehended it all, soft
grateful, proud light broke over his features,
and he held his arms out to his sons.
"Noble, noble boys )" he uttered, as he clas-
ped them to his bosom, "God bless you for this !
oh, l dreamed not that you had such
hearts''
For long tine the old man gazed on his
boys in silence, while tears OF love and grati-
tude rolled down his cheeks, and his whole
face was lighted up with the most joyous, holy
pride.
Long before daylight, Philip mounted the
horse and started for the nearest settlement, and