The Shasta courier., 1864-02-13
SHASTA COURIER.
THE smUGGLER.-

yirt,,ous- aud d.industrious people now, since
IL ffas Eeensthrown into the corner of king
dbn.; g. nest of smuggle:s and thieves, with
aiptlte vices, have tberetaken. their abode,
fostered by the lucrative, though dangerous
profession that is there pursued. AT that
village. with all the pride of banditta boast
ing Of their achievements, they related to me
circumstance tie thought of which makes
me shudder.
Come along said father one evening
to his dau gbter. girl of thirteen, who had
just returned from the pastor Of the village,
who was giving her instructions preparatory
to confirmation; ''put on your thick coat
we have something to get 10 night. Bid
your mother good bye, and beg her to lay
her hand upon your head for we cannot
tell whether the Almighty will bring US saie
through the business or not"
They set out. The wind blew intensely
cold over the hills, and howled among the
trees. while low clouds, heavily laden with
snow, sailed slowly over the grey heads OF
the naked rocks. They projected in silence
along an unfrequented mountain-pa,h, and
clambered like chamois along yawning
abyss where foanng torrent Was strug
Cling against the overpowering force of wa
teri
Lay hold of my belt," whispered the fa-
ther, as though apprehensive lest the verE air
should oyerhear him . lis not the most
pleasant walking here
The girl trembled with cold and fear, ST
lently followed her rough conductor.
'.Stop! - he cried, suddenly. do YOU
hear nothing? Were not those mems
voices ~
''No, father-it is the wind blowing
through the pines
s'sStand still, then. and lsten-those must
be footsteps. hear them quite plain"
No. father; it is the ice that is bursting
in the abyss, and the water dashing against
the rocks"
The old man, wrapped in grey surtou.
placed his ear to the side Of the rock tC lis
ten, and preeently cried come on
The path was more difficult, and the rocks
more abrupt.
"Shoud any misfortunes befal me to night
my dear girl" said he, :. tell your mother
she must not give up the business, | have
made profitable concern of it. and should
not die content il believed it would drop
with my life. You are now old enough t0
lend hand; and when Won have oree ta-
ken the sacrament, you will be able. should
think, to carry on the thing we'll enough"
He then directed her to conceal herself in
small cavern in the rock.
8 You may eat your supper there he OBJ
served. "for we are now on the frontier
and up yonder you wonld only he in my way
l will whistle when | come back. When
you hear that sign, lcok about you and be
Stir yourself"
With these words he continued his ascent
and the half frozen girl crert sobbng into
the snowy retreat, to say p.ter noster. At
n dizzy depth below her the torrent roarel
mpnotonously, and before her the wind
whirled the snow in furious eddes from the
rocks. She was alone in this dreary spot
After a while the appointed signal was
given, and she heard footsteps. Her father
came with pack which he dragged after
him.
-. Here said he, ''pull it in; its but
Light, and you will have no difficulty. 'Tis
worth good round sum, though"
The pack was deposited in the cavern,
and the smuggler went back again. The
girl meanwhile, crouched behind the pack,
and rubbed her frozen limbs to warm and
keep herself awake. Some TINE again elaps-
ed again whistle was given as before, and
the father returned with another load. He
bade her take up the first and made her go
on before him.
Father, hear dogs barking-don t
your"
No, no. child-it is only the wheeling
of my own lungs"
There, again! fancy hear something
behind u.s.
go along girl and hold your tongue"
There is something moving behind us,
father, down yonder-don't you see ~
Good God THE Sharp shooters, We
are lost if we cannot reach the ravine -
a dog came up and threatened to seize the
man, when, clinging without other hope of
safety to the rock he hurled his peak at the
animal, which tumbled, bowling. together
with mass of snow, down the precipce.
Give it to me-" he cried. taking the
lighter load from the girl, graSping her hand
firmly, and dragged her with. accelerated
steps down the path. Fright deprived her
Of the use Of her limbs and he dragged her
along like adeaJ thing. Destruction pressed
cried 50 HAITI No answer was returned,
and the report of piece was reyerverated a
hundred fold by the echoes OF the mountains.
The ball struck the rock and dropped at their
feet.
Merciful God !" calculated the girl, =
cannot go any farther. Leave me here,
father they will not murder me?''
Bat you will betray me- girl'
No. no, no; leave me here and make
your escape"
You will betray me. and bring your
father to the gallows. Come. come along"
Filled with despair he raised her from the
ground, aud wound with his tive ield burden
around the edge of the rock. II was TO no
purpose. The Sharp shooters appeared
above and below. and the anxiety of th'
snlagglsr Increased every instant. The girl
had sunk down as if inanimate. ani all the
Efforts If the afrighted father to arouse her
were unavaiing. Again was heard the cry
of +" Halt i''-agaiu the balls whizzea past.
and the ministers OF the law kent approach
ing nearer and nearer Life or death depen.
ded on single moment. He bent oyer his
child and caught her in his arms.
g So help me God. in my utmost need -
he Calculated. ani threw hcrdown the abyss
The body dashed against the Projecting crag>
in its decent, and rolled into the torrent be
meath.
The pursuers stood ashast at the atrocious
deed, and oyerpowered with horror dropped
their weapons. The smugsler escaped with
his pack. and has often visited the same spot
on similar ersand,
A wIp ", occupying large house in u
fashionable quarter of London sent for .
wealthy solicitor to make her will. by which
she disposed Of between fifty and sixty thou
sand pounds. lie proposed soon after, was