The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1859-05-26

hT. INC, UtileNluS tudt uc Hdu a. Ia"
found woman capable Of aprreciatins
him, wlote an ardent reply, urging al
immediate interview, and clearly intima
ting that he was ready and willing tt
marry Immediately, provided that he wa'
as well satisfied with the personal appear
ance and social faculties of the fair un
known as he was with her letter.
The second cpistle which Mr.. Pike re-
ceived was as prompt and decisive as he
could possibly have wished He was as
sured that Miss. Gay chad read his let
ter over and over again, with ever in
creased pleasure and admiration, not on.
ly for the deep tone of sincerity which
pervaded them, but for the high mental
qualities which could not fail to be dis.
cerned." She was anxious to see him,
and begged that he would meet her in
Union Square, the next Wednesday even
ing. "lf it is pleasant" said she, 81
will walk with my brother and hope TO
find you at the south gate at precisely
nine O'Clock. Please wear white rib
bon in tire left button hole of your coat,
if the coat is black, and black one if it
is white. will say to my brouther, this
is an old friend and will then speak to
you. You must be pleased to see me,
inquire after my welfare since our last
meeting, and finally beg leave to escort
me home. This little deception can
harm no one. live ia Hoboken, some
distance from the ferry. and will frankly
tell you that it would do much to win the
esteem of my family who are somewhat
vain, if you should ordera fine carriage
after we cross the river, and invite my
sisters to ride with us, after you are in
troduced. ! say for the good of our plan,
that pretty liberal way of things in the
commend ement will be likely to turn the
scale in your favor with the other mem
bers of the family. DO rot think care
for these vain things but it is best some
times to conform to the wishes of others. I"
Mr.. Pike forthwith wrote labored re-
ply, in which be signified his " entire ap-
probation of the plan" "and expressed
his warm admiration for the toretlought
displayed"
The momentous Wednesday night was
clear and beautiful. The moonlight, it
occurred to Mr.. Pike, was appropriate TO
the romantic adventure he had on hand"
He donned faultlcss white coat, took a
hundred dollars with which to do things
on liberal scale, and having arrived at
the southern gate of Union Park, about
five minutes before the appointed time,
adjusted black ribbon in his button hole
on his left side.
AT nine O'Clock precisely, veiled lady,
leaning on the arm of stalwart man, APP
preached, and looking at Mr.. Pike, came
hastily to him, shook his hand warmly,
inquired after his welfare, etc. Mr.. Pike
did his part well, and having been intro
duced to the brother, asked leave to walk
with them.
The brother, whose appearance did not
particularly please Mr.. Pike, remarked
in bungling manner, that he wished to
make short call up town, and since his
sister had been so fortunate as to meet
an old acquaintance, he would ask TO be
excused, hoping to join them at the ferry.
Mr.. Pike took Miss Gays arm and signi-
fed his readiness TO follow her lead.
1--WE have TO go through rather an un-
pleasant district remarked the lady,
who had not yet designed to show her
face TO her new companion; "but it is
pleasant on the other side of the river"
Mr.. Pike, as he walked through the
west side of the town, was convinced
that Miss Gay had spoken the truth He
paid little attention to the locality, how
ever, as the strangers flatterng remarks
eiiectually soothed whatever apprehen-
sions he might otherwise have felt.
AT length they approached the river,
and We're passing lumber yard, when
Miss Gay suddenly pointed to the ground
between two piles Of boards, and asked:
:" Mr.. Pike, what is that object on the
groundl 1t looks to me like a gold
watch"
Mr.. Pike, ia whom the instinct to get
and keep was not wanting, Immediately
went tO'the place, and stopped to pick up
the prize. But, as he bent over, a man
suddenly darted from behind pile of
lumber, and giving him an unwelcome
blow ON the back of the head, knocked
the petrifed Paul fiat on the earth, as
motionless with terror as an iron pike,
and instantly seizing him by the collar,
dragged him where he could not be seen
by any passers-by. Then, presenting a
six-shooter at his breast, he soIemnly as
sured his PROSTATE victim that if be stir
red, spoke or resisted, he would send
bullet through his body, and give him a
good nights rest.
Having quieted Paul with his friendly
assurance. he took every dollar from his
pocket, stripped him of his gold watch
and chain, and did not spare even his
pocket knife. gold studs and sieve buttons
"Now," remarked the remorseless rob-
bey, "you live, move and have being