, 1861-06-13

| said. "Hou will find II most convenient to
make clean breast Of it at once. 1t will be
better for you"
Milly stTove to release her arm. The rough
treatment she received aroused her temper, and
indignation overcame all other feelings.
| "Lct me GO you scOundrel, let me 60, or
will call for help" she cried.
"Call, you fool, )" said the brutal fellow, "and
much good may it do you. Keep yourself still
and tell me where the money is"
81 will not !" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing
fire.
"You will not" he then replied; tive shall
see."
lie released her wrist so violently that she
reeled half across the room. Then he seized
that sleeping infant from its cradle, and held it
at arms length almost into the blazing fire, SO
that the terrified mother expected to see its light
garments catch the fame.
Now then, where is the money? Speak
ont quick, or hear your baby Shrek with pain.
| will burn it to death before your eyes if you do
not tell me where the money is"
Monster, give me my child (" shrcked Milly,
endeavoring to reach the little one. "Let Inc
have my baby"
But every effort was frustrated, for again and
again the strong hand Of the robber thrust her
: back.
/ "Sec, its clothes will be on fire in minute"
said the man, putting the helpless innocent closer
to the flames. The mother looked into his eyes.
She saw there the look Of heartess determine
| ton. She became aware that the cotton gar
meutS of the child were smoking with the heat
"llOw shall it beg" asked the ruilian.
Hurry, or the child dies. have no time to
waste here"
"Cone," exclaimed the man, touching her
rudely with his foot "you have not told me
where the money is"
ain the box on the upper SHELF" shO said,
pointing to the closet.
| The man found the box, placed it on the table,
and opened it, saying $50 far, 50 well. 1t is
nearly all gold. ! will pocket it with your leave
or without your leave, Just as You please" lie
filed his pocket with the golden coin, and threw
the empty box into the fire. Then he came and
stood beside her.
"Put the baby in the cradIe," he said, "if you
wish to save its life. have other business for
you"
"What 10 YOU mean!" cried Milly, eyeing
the man with suspicion.
Let me have it, lac said, Trying to take it.
| "No, no, will put the baby in the cradle
myself You shai not touch the poor little
thing Now, SIR she continued, almost chok.
/ ing with excitement, what is il :" After hav-
ing laid the pretty infant on its dOwny place Of
rest, she stood erect and waited the reply.
al am going to kiN you!" said the man.
NH ule! suc IN'laNlcu, HST lace eIoNlHS
pale with terror "kil mel What have !
ever done to you that you should kill mcT"
Nothing nothing, my dear, only you know
you have seen me, and you will know me again."
And he advanced upon her.
60 sir, let me live Have YOU not done
enough to take my husbands money, without
depriving him of his wife, too2 | will never say
one word against you if you will spare INC, only
spare met
AS she spoke she claspcd her hands and looked
imploringly at him.
"I am sorry that cannot safely grant your
! request" he responded. "Therc is no help for
it, so come along out of doors"
He reached out his hand to grasp Milly. But
the instinct Of self preservation was strong upon
her. She evadcd him, flew to the chimney
piece, snatched her husbands loaded rifle from
the hooks on which it hung, cooked and pre-
sCnted it al the breast Of the robber. Her mo-
tons were so rapid, that before he could prevent
it, her finger had pressed the trigger and there
was an explosion. But with equal readiness the
man had stepped aside, the ball passed over his
head and the next instant his grippe was OH her
throat
al will teach you to handle arms" he said.
You would have killed me, would you? Twill
show you trick worth two Of that"
"Mercy, mercy" cried the terrified woman.
"There is no mercy for YOU" he calculated
He dragged her into the entry, and flung open
the door. "0ut with you into the snow"
"lIod! what is this?" exclaimed a deep
toned voice. "Unhand that woman, you scoun-
drel."
A powerful man stood in the doorway. He
dealt the roLGer blow between the eyes which
struck him back into the entry. His grasp Of
Milly was relinquishel, aud she fell to the Aoor
80, >iI, she cried to the new comcr, save
me- This man has robbed u.s. and would mur-
der me that would not tell Of it," A
Fear not, madam, he shall not harm you,"
responded the stranger. Fellow, surrender
yourself"
Get out If the way," cried the robber, max.
ing rush for the door, aud striking at the
stranger with bowie knife. Giving back few
steps, the stranger seized the robber by the col
lar, whirled him around, aud threw him on his
face in the snow. The rObber struggled, but
the stranger knclt heavily on the small Of his
back, and graspcd his hair.
Lie STILL said the stranger, tor will send
a bullet through your brain"
Thorobbcr felt the cold barrel of pistol at
his car, and obcyed Milly quickly brought
ropes at her rcscuer's request, and the rOGber
was bound hand and foot.
1T was strange providence" the newcomer
said, that overlook me with q SnOw-storm on
the prairie, and forced me an hour ago to take
refuge in your smOkc.housc, nearly deal with
cold"
Milly acknowledged the truth Of the remark
and she knct and thanked her Father in heaven
for her delivcrance.
The next day Milly's husband came home,
and WHEN he had been told all, he remarked
This fellow was in the tavern at the village
the day ! sold my produce. II will teach me a
lesson--ncvcr to let strangers know when mo
ney is plenty with mr, lest they shall be tempted
to crime and bring ruin on me and mine
That day somc sixty or seventy mon gathered
at the house Of Mr. Dean. he robbcr wa7 re-
cogniZed n a notorious horse thief who hal long
infested that neighboThood. There was a sum