Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-06-01

Ci"i-S ie- hIteT looking dt IL, he returned
it to her again, observing, if it had been &
city bill he would have changed it, but he
dId not like to change a country bill.
Having tried in two or three places with
out effecting her object, De5by found she
must give it up, for she was now told il
probably would not be possible for her tc
get it changed till the bank should be open
ed the next day. Consequently, she con
cluded to return immediately home. As
she rode out Of the hotel yard, she observed
the tall man with black whlskers standing
at the corner of the house, apparently
watching her movements. But she rode on,
and was no sooner out Of sight tan he was
oUt Of her mind, for her own perplexing
disappointment engrossed all her thoughts.
She passed over the first two miles of her
homeward Journey almost unconscious of the
distance, 81 busiiv was she turning over in
her mind various expedients TO remedy the
failure Of her present under taking. She
thought of several OF her neIghbors Of whom
she thought it not impossible to borrow IA
few dollars for a short time. But then she
knew her faith was 50 strenuOusly opposed
to borrowing, he would not allow it to be
done; and would never forgive her should
he tad out that sac had done it without his
knowledge or consent. She might get trust
Cd for most Of the articles she wanted hut
some Of them Of the most implrtanco were
at Henry MIler's store, and she would not
ask to be trusted there, il she never obtained
the articles.
Her raycries were at length broken of by
the sound of horse coming Mt rather
quick uot behind her. She looked over her
shoulder, and there was the tall man with
black whiskers. mounted on Il Large and
beautiful black horse, within lew rods Ot
her she shuddcreI little, at first, ut the
idea of having his company through the
woods. but as lie came up and accJSted her
with such easy and gentle manners, She
soon reco, cred from her trepidation, and rode
on with her wonted composure.
"Rathlr q lonely road here, Miss, said
the stranger. looking in the dark woods that
hv in tho valley before them. How far
do You 90, Miss?
- Seven OF eight miles. " said Dolby, hes
itatin-a little.
II am happy to have company On the
road, " said the stranger, TOR 1t IS rather
lonesome riding alone. trust you will al
lpw me to be your protector p
Debhy thanked him, but said she was new
er lonesome and never afraid still, in
lonely place. it was always agreeable to have
company.
did You make out to get your bill
changed ." asked the stranger.
No" said Dolby. Il tried till | was
tired, but could find no one to change 1t.
The stranger made himself very agreeable
and d bbv began to think her feelings at
first had done Injustice, and she tried what
she could to make him amends by being So
cial in her turn. They had now reached the
deepest. darkest part Of the valley through
winch the road lay. The heavy woods were
about them, and not a sound was 10 be heard
except the murmuring- Of a little brook over
which they had Just passed, The stranger
suddenly rode 70 her side, and seizing the
reIns of the bride, told her at once that she
must give him the hundred dollar note
Now. tins is carrying the Joke too far,
said Debby, trying to laugh.
"It is 10 Joke at ALL said the stranger,
eve w Il 20 NJ further till You give me the
hundred dollar bill"
Dolby tramblel aud turned pale, for she
thought she saw something in the stranger 5
eve that looked as though he was IN earnest.
But surely You don't mean any such
thing ?" said Debby, trying to pull the rein
from his hand. Its too bad to frishten me
~ here
we mustn't daily about it, said the
stranger. holding therein still tighter you
see taat am ID earnest by tins drawing a
pistol from his pocket and pointing 1t to-
wards her
"Oh mercy. said Debby, You may
have Jac money if YOU VIII lst me g.
"rhc money is all want, said the stran-
eer. "but taers must be no more delaying
The sooner vow hand it over the better"
D.Ibv at once drew the bill and and at
tempted to hand it to the stranger, but her
hand trembleI So that ii dropped from her
fnrers lust before it reached his, ut that
moment "a gust OF wind waited 1t gently
toward the brook. The stranger leapod from
his horse and ran back two or three rods to
recover II. Debby was not 50 far gone IN her
fright but that she had her thoughts about
her: and seizing the rein of the stranger ;
horse. she applied the whip to both horses at
once. and was off in a canter The man
called ina loud threatening tone, and at once
fired his pistol upon her but as she did not
feel the cold lead she did not stop or turn
even to give farewell look. The remainder
of the Journey passed the dwellings OF her
nei,hb5r-. and manygwere the heads that
looked from the windows and doors, and
great was the wouderment ut scing De3by
ride home So fast, leading such fine strange
horse Her father, who lad seen her come
over the hill, met her some rods from the
house, exclaiming, with astonlshnent
What have you here, Debhy W ha'
horse Is thatg'
..Debby. what has thee been doing p said
Mrs. Wilder. who was but few steps behind
her husband, d" thee d0e,n t look Well what
is the mattcr?'
As soon as they were seated in the house,
Debby told them the whole story. Mr..
Wilder felt so rejoiced at his daughter
escape that he began to be in excellent spirits,
and Id he strange horse to the door and
began to examine hun.
- Well, Debby, said he, " since you We goi
home safe at last. We may as well begin to
talk about business. The hundred dollar bil
Is gone, but, I'm thinking, after all, you
haven made bad bargain. That's the
likeliest horse We seen this many day.
don't think it would be difficult matter to
sell him for two hundred dollars. At any
rate. I'll take the h-rse for the hundred dol
| lars. and YOU may have the saddle for tbs
/ twenty dollars, YOU were to have ot 1t.
And the saddle-bags, too, | suppose,
said Debby, feeling disposed to Join in th'
joke. NJ
Yes, and tine saddle-bags,' said Mr.
/ Wilder; 'no, stop, We'll see what's IN then
first" he continued, untying them from tn
saddle. "Oh, there's lots of shirts, stocking
and handkerchieis, and capital ones too
Yes. Debby, the 8adile-bags are yours
those things come in very good time for 20
seph, you know;
'De6by colored, but said nothing.
Now, William" said Mrs. Wilder, "the
is full of thy fun
mo fun about it, ;" said William, replac
ing the articles in the leather bag. "Here
Debby, take them, and take care of them.
De6by took the saddle bags to her cham
Der, not a little gratifed at the valuable al
ticles Of clothing they contained. Sh
enptiei the contents on the bed, and exam
ming to see if everything was out, she dis
covered an inside pocket in one of the bag;
She opened it, and found it contained
quantity of bills. She counted them, an
her heart beat quicker and quicker, for b'
fire she cot through she had fifteen hundre