Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-02-25
DERBY WILDER;
OR
The Hundred Dollar Note.

The stranger made himself very
agreeable, and Debby began to think
that her feelings a. first had done him in
justice, and she tried what she could to
make him amends by being social in her
turn. They had now reached the deep
est, darkest part of the valley through
which the road lay. The heavy woods
were about them, aud not sound was
to be heard except the murmurings of a
little brook over which they had passed.
The stranger suddenly rode to her side
and seizing the reins Of her bride, told
her at once she must give him the hun
dred dollar note.
'Now,this is carrying the joke too far, ;
said Debby, trying to laugh.
1T is no joke at oil, said the stranger,
we will 60 no further till you give me
the hundred dollar BILL
Dcbby trembled and turned pale, for
she thought she saw something in the
strangers eye that looked as though he
was in earnest.
But surely you don't mean any such
thing said Debby, trying to to pull the
rein from his hand. Its too bad to
Brighten me SO here
'We mustn't daily about it, said the
stranger, holding the rein still tighter
you see ! am in earnest, by this, draw
ing pistol from his pocket, and point
ing towards her.
'Oh mercy said Debby, you may
have the money If you will then let me
CO.
The money is al want said the
stranger, but there must be no more
dallying, the sooner you hand it over the
better
Debby at once drew the bill and
attempted to hand it to the stranger, but
her hand trembled so that it dropped
from her fingers Just before it reached
his, and a. that moment gust OF wind
waited it gently towards the brook. Tho
stranger leapeI from his horse and ran
back two or three rods to recover it,
Debby was not so far gone in her fright
but that she had her thoughts about her;
and Selling the rein Of the strangers
horse, she applied the whip to both
horses At once, and was off in canter.
The man called in loud, threatening
tone, and at once fired his pistol upon
her, but a. she did not feel the cold lead,
she did not stop or turn even to give
him a farewell look. The remainder of
the journey was soon passed over, and
az she came out in the settlement and
passed the dwcllings Of her neighbors,
many were tho heads that looked from
windows and doors, and great was the
wondermcnt at seeing Debby ride home
SO fast, and leading such fine strange
horse. Her father. who had seen her
come over the hill, met her some rods
from the house, exclaming, with aston
ishmcnt:
'Whst have you here, Debby! Whose
horse is that p
'Debby, what has thee been doing
said Mrs. Wilder, who was few steps
behind her husband, thee doscn't look
we'll, what is the matter!
As soon as they were seated in the
house, Dcbby told them the whole sto-
~. Mr.. Wilder felt 80 rejoiced at his
daughters escape, that he began to be
in excellent spirits and led the strange
horse to tho door, and began to exam
inc HIM.
We'll, Debby,' said he, since you've
got home safe at last, we may as well
begin to talk about business. The hun
dred dollar bill is gone, but I'm thinking
after oil, you haven't made very bad
bargain. That's the likeliest horse I've
seen this many day. l don't think it
would be a difficult matter to sell him
for two hundred dollars. At any rate
I'll take the horse for the hundred dol
lars, and you may have the saddle for
the twenty dollars you wero to have
of it.
And tho saddle bags, too, l suppose
said Debby, feeling disposed to join
in the joke.
yes, and the saddle bags,' said Mr..
Wilder; mo, stop, we'll see what's in
them first he continued, untying them
from the saddle. ooh, there's lots Of
shirts, stockings, handkerchieis, and
capital ones, too. Yes, Debby, the
saddle bags are yours; those things
come in very good timo for Joseph, you
know
Debby colored, but said nothing.
Now, William, said Mrs. Wilder,
thee is full Of thy fun
No fun about it, said William, re-
placing the articles in the leather bag
Here, Debby, take them and take care of
them.
Debby took the saddle bags to her
chamber, not little gratiied at the val
liable articles Of clothing they contained.
She emptied The contents upon the bed,
and examining to see if everything was
out, she discovered an inside pocket in
one of the bsgs. She opened it and
drew therefrom an elegant pocket book,
and found it contained quantity Of bills.
She counted them, and her heart beat
quicker and quicker, for before she 90,
through she lad 1900 in good bank
money.
Debby kept her own counsel. In .
few days it was rumored that Joseph
Nelson had purchased an excellent farm
in the neighborhood that had just been
offered some months for the sum of one
thousand dollars, and was considered a
great bargain.
Joseph eaid Mr.. Wilder the next time
they mot, 4 am astonishea that YOU have
been running into debt for farm in such