The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-03-16
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
NUMBER IT,;


said gentlemen at tho sdjoining shop
door.
Debby replied that sho wanted to chansea
bill at the bank.
iOh, I'll change Il for you said the gent
man. lift isnf too larsc-cofnc step In
NI She accordingly stepped into ~ store,
and giving him many thanks, handed him
.Oh. a hundred dollars = said he. Il can
not do II haven't half that amount In the
store. But II you 60 across there to tho
apothecary's I think Il likely enough may 90
IT, -.
Debby thanked him again, and went across
10 the apothecary's. Here she made known
her wishes, but with no better success. As
che turned to 90 out, she encountered man
behind her, who sesmed to have been looking
over her shoulder.
She looked up at him and recognized tho
tall man with black whiskcrs, whom she
had noticed at the hotel. Leaving tho
druggists, she observed large dry goods
store, and thought she would try her luck
there. Still she was unsuccessful.
Asshe was leaving the store, she met the
tall man with whisEers again. lIe looked
smilingly ut her, and asked her to let him
SEQ the bill for he thought he could change
1t. After looking at II, he returned II to her
again, observing, If It had been o city bill
he would have changed 1t, but he did not
like to change country BILL
Having tried at two or three places with
out efiecting bcr object, Debby found sho
must give Il up, for she was'now told 1t
would not be possible for her to get II changed
till the bank should be opened the next day.
consequently, she concluded to return immc..
diatcly home. AZ she rode out Of tho hotel
yard she observed the tall man with black
whiskcrs standing ut the corner Of tho house,
apparently watching her movements. But
shc rode on, and was no sooner out Of sight
than he was out fhcr mind, for her own
pcrplexing disappointment engrosscd oil her
thoughts. She passed over the first two
miles of her homcward journey almost un-
conscious of tho distance, 80 busily was she
turning over in her mind various cIpedi.
ments to remedy the failure ol her present
undertaking. She thought Of several OF her
neighbors OF whom she thought Il not i'm.
possible to borrow lew dollars for short
timo. But then she knew her father was 90
strenuously opposed to borrowing, ho would
not allow It to be done; and would never
forgive her should he find out that shc done
II without Ibis knowledge or consent. Sho
might get trusted for most OF the articles she
wanted but some of them Of the most inn
portanco were ut Henry Miller's store, and
she would not ask to he trusted there, If sho
never obtained tho articles.
Her rcyeries were ut length broken OF by
the sound ofa horse coming ut rather u
quick trot behind her. She looked over her
shoulder, and there was the tall man with
black whiskers mounted on large and beau-
tiful black horse within few rUds OF her;
she shuddered little ut first, at the idea OF
having his company through the woods, but
M he came up and accosted her with such
casy and gsntlo manners shv soon recovered
from her trepidation and rode on with her
wonted cOmposure.
Rather lonely road here, Miss, said tho
stranger, looking in the dark woods that
lay in the valley before them. slow far do
you 60, Niiss?'
Seven or eight miles, said Debby. hesita.
ting . little.
i am happy to have company on tho road
said the stranger, for II 10 rather lonesome
riding alone. trust you will allow mo to
be your protector?'
e Debby thanked him, but Nid she was
mover lonesome and never afraid; still, In
lonely place, 1t was always agreeable to have
company.
.Did you mako out to get that bill changcdr
asked the stranger.
No. said Dcbby. Il tried ill I was tired,
but could find no one to change 10.
The stranger made himself very agreeable,
and Debby began to think that her feelings
at first had dJne him injustice, and she tried
what she could to make him amends by be-
ing social in h,r turn. They had now
reached the deepest. darkest part Of the vai.
Icy through which the road lay. The heavy
woods wero about them and not o sound was
to be heard except the mnrmuring OF little
brook over which they had just passed. Tho
stranger suddenly rode to her side, ana sciz-
ing the reins Of her bride, told her at once
she must give him the hundred dollar note;
.Now, this Is iscarrying tho joke to far, said
Debby trying to laugh. ;,
III ia no joke ut ALL said the stranger,
we will 20 NO farther till you give me tho
hundred dollar BILL
Dcbby trcmbled and turned pale, for she
thought she saw something In the strangers
eve that looked as though he was IN earn.
est
But surely you don't mean any such
thing 2 said Debby, trying to pull the rein
tom his hand. It's loo bad to brighten mo
30 here
We mustn't daily about IT, said the stran-
ger, holding tho rein still tighter; you see
/ am In earnest, by this, drawing, pistol
from his pocket, and pointed towards her.
.Oh! mercy said Debby, you may have
the money II yoa will let me 60
The money 10 oil ] want, said tho stran.
pcr, but there must be no moro delaying;
the sooner you hand II over the better.
D.bby at once drcw the bill and attempted
10 hand Il TO the stranger, but her hand
trembled 20 that Il dropped from her fingers
;,,st before Il reached bis, and st that moment
n gust of wind waited II gently toward tho
brSok. Tho stranger leaped from his horsc
and ran hack two or three rods 70 recover
n Debbv was not % far gono In her fright
hut that sho had her thoughts about her;
and seirinp tho rein of the strangers horse,
aha applica the whip TO both horses at once,
ana vas OF In O cantcf. Tho man called In
a load, threatening tone, and ct once fried
bis pistol upon her but q she did not feel
the cold lead, che did not stop or turn even
to give him farewell look. Tho remainder
of the journey passed. the dwellings OF heI
neighbors, many were tho heads that ioosed
from windows and doou, and great was tne
wondermcut at seeing Debby ride homo 20
fast,s leading such Q fine strange no. =.
Her father, who had seen her come ovef .oe
hill, met her some rods from tho noos'' e'