Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-08-24
Aw1DE-AwAKE YOUNG LADY.

About four miles from Easton, Pa, resides
wealthy farmer, his wife and only daughter.
The latter is dashing rustic belle, of the man
killing species, much noted for her dauntless
way in doing things, and quick wit. Having
a bill of a local bank for one hundred dollars,
and not being able to use it, on account OF the
inability of his neighbors to change it, the far
mer resolved to send it to the bank for that
purpose, and selected his daughter carrier.
The young lady mounted horse and rode to
Easton, but arrived there after the bank had
closed, and after offering the bill at several
stores without success, she turned the head of
her steed towards home.
She had Just passed the suburbs of the city,
when sea solitary horseman" overlook her and
gave the salute courteous, with winning air.
As he had the appearance of gentleman, and
eyinced the greatest respect tor the fair egues-
hienne, she returned his saatation without
fear, and the two were soon riding side by side.
The stranger expressed pleasure to find that
they were both going the same way, and made
such remarks about the landscape as led his
fair companion to believe that he was not :sna-
tive to the manor born he expatiated on the
superb blending OF colors in the sunset sky,
observed that s.God made the country and
dwelt upon the contrast of the merchants
cares and the farmers freedom of soil. To all
this poetical dsqusition the maiden did most
seriously incline. not dreaming that her COM
panion was anything but getieman.
they entered dark wood through which the
road wound, when he suddenly reined up his
horse directly across the path, and sternly de-
sired the girl to 'sSurrender that one hundred
dollar bill she was trying to change in Eas-
ton" Thinking he was trying to frighten her
with a trick, the farmers daughter laughed
gaiiy in reply but the production of pistol
convinced her of the true character Of her es-
cort, and she felt that the money must GO.
But mark how slight thing will turn the ta-
bles, when circumstances all appear to tend
one way. The poor girl drew forth the bill
from her bosom, and was placing it in the
scoundrel's outstretched hand, when gust of
wind blew it into the road, and the fellow was
obliged to dismount to recover it.
No sooner had he left his horse, than the
quck-witted girl applied the whip to her own
horse, and he sprang forward-but not alone.
The other horse started also, and away went
the span with one rider. With an oath the
| robber dashed after them and fired his pistol !;
but the noise only frightened the animals into
a still faster gallop, and the farmers daughter
found herself at home in double quick time.
1t did not take her long to relate her adven-
ture, nor was her father at all delicate about
examining the saddle e-bags of the strange
horse. In them he found besides large num-
Der of counterfeit bills, nearly fifteen hundred
dollars in good money! The animal alone was
worth more than the amount lost, and the far
mer was well satisfied with the exchange. The
robber was probably some fellow connected
with gang of counterfeiters that infest Gen.
tral Pennsylvania, and dogged the girl in her
journey from store to store with the bill. He
has not yet claimed his horse and saddle bags
nor is there reason to believe he ever will.