St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-12-20

F. "I will do so. Here is q reward" )" said
the horseman, offering him piece Of gold
The other drew back, and ,rcfusedlto. take
! it, alledging that he had done nothing to
deserve it. The horseman then but spurs
to his horse; and rode away, bend in the
road soon hid him from; sight. Having
rode on until he imagined that the sound
Of his horses hoofs could not be heard by
the charcoal burner, should he be listen
ing, he dismounted and silently retraccd
his steps. He arrived at the place where
he had left his friend, the charcoal burner,
but the latter was not to be seen. The
stranger fastened back to his horse and re-
mounted.
>"It is as I expected" he mn1uttered.-
t'This road makes large bend here, and
by cutting across he, can reach his hut be-
fore me-. + care little, though, being fore
armed We shall see. who'll come out
first. comprehend Why he refused my
gold piece, he considers it as his own, and
thinks he may as well take all together,
but I must hurry on and finish this bust:
ness before nightfall.., -;
So saying, he put spurs to his horse and
rode. Ten minutes sharp riding brought
the charcoal burners cabin in view AS
he first caught sight of it, he thought he
detected mans face pressed against one
of the windows. Of this, however, he
could not be certain, as the face; if such it
was, Instantly disappeared At the sound
of his horse's hoofs, an old woman appear
ed in the doorway, and gazing curiously at
him, waited till he, rode up. The horse
man, could not help thinking that the swo-
man was a most fitting companion for her
husband. The expression Of her counte-
nance was even more villainous The
stranger, however, did not stop to criticise
her appearance, but courteously saluted
her, saying .,.:..... ..,... ,,4,, :
ri believe, Madam, that you: are, the
wife of the charcoal burner, whom I met
up the road.' III -s9.s.. n .'Js.," t-&H
The woman replied in the affirmative.
''Then will tell you. that I am bound
for P -, which, I wish to reach before
nightfall: He told me of a lane that was
much shorter than the regular road, which
he said you could point out to me.'' ;s.j5
"Certain]y! If this is all / Monsieur
wishes, he is easily satisfied. You may
see little way up, that large tree which
towers above the rest. just beyond that
is large 1cck, and the lane enters the
road on the other side. AS it:is very mar
row and nearly grown up with bushes you
would hardly notice it. But with these
directions you can hardly fail" ..
"Never you fear; I shall not miss the
road" &. .u. .f..,
tsIs that all Monsieur w1shes?'' .
II believe so; but stop minute. I of:
fered your husband piece of gold, but he
refused to take it. Perhaps you may be
more sensible ..-, -. ....,...,
The old woman greedily took the prof
fered coin, saying: ..,..,.:.
"Piere is too sensitive. We might both
starve before he would take a cent"
II see you differ from him little," re.
turned the hoyseman, laughing He then
put spurs to hisshorse, and rode on. In a
few minutes he reached the large rock al
luded to, and could then perceive the en-
trance to narrow lane, artfully concealed
4 by bushes: He soon made his way thro
them, and when once into the lane he found
| it a little wider. than he expected. It also
became free Of bushes, as he proceeded
He. stopped a moment to examine the prim
ing Of his pistols, muttering: ....-,;
I f., "My worthy friends are rather sharp
They do no do their numbering in the opcr
road, where spilled blood might lead, t>
their detection, but inveigle the ,unfoortu
nate traveller into the lane, where he may
be safely put out of the way and none thu
wiser for it. At any rate [ am fully pre-
pared for them, and they will not put M
out Of the way without struggle
Having seen that his arms were read,
for use, he rode slowly forward, keeping ;
:. careful watch on each side of the road
that he might not be surprised. AS Ions
as the woods kept open as they were h
had no fear, as there was no good hiding
|place for man. Ere long the woods be
i gan to get thicker and more sombre Lit
tie hillocks covered with bushes becam'
frequent, until at last they became Ion!
range skirting each side Of the road. Tn
horseman felt that the time which was t.
try him was near at hand, and he dropped
the reins until his hand covered holste
pistol, which he firmly grasped, though il
such q manner as a person would not no
| tice, and he then assumed an air Of. care
lessness, though his watch was now keene
than ever. AT length he came to plac
which he felt certain contained his enc
my. y Nature seemed to. haye adapted thi
place for the purpose Of concealment. TIL
rocks which skirted the road at this plac
:; were about breast high, and so perpendic
J ular as to have the appearance of wall
and they, were covered with aegrowth Q
bushes bushe So thick, as to be nearly rmpe mp rvi
GUS. The tall trees on each side Of tn
j road twined their tops together, forming
natural roof Of leaves and branches, AM
rendering the place as dark and dismal a