North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-04-12
Selett Storp.
THE BORDER HEROINE

| hansaS was 50 ueiiself populdteu do nu"i anu
when the mail from Little Rock to the east
ern borders was carried on hor setback, there
lived, few miles above Horse Head, stout
pioneer named Jacob Burnap. His wife Pol
! ly, and one child, nine years old, made up his
family. His chief business was hunting, and
his unerrlng ri fe never failed to supply his
board and something over. His nearest
neighbor was fifteen miles ESQ he was trou
bled little with prying visitors.
1t was in early spring that Jacob started
down the river with boat load of furs and
skins. He left Polly in charge of the premi-
ses, AID left with her, too, light rife and
brace of pistols. She knew how to use the
rifle, for never was she happier than when
| her husband patted her upon her shoulder
and cried, " NobIy done, Polly, my dear =
| could not have made better shot my.
self" And he had occasion to say this with
| truth too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four days
| when towards evening, horseman rode up
| to the hunters door. He was a small mascu-
lar man, some forty years Of age, and seemed
Injured to all hardshps. As he sprang from
the saddle, Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, PoIly-once more here" the new
conner said, as he drew well filled pair Of
saddle bags from the back of his beast.
Eyes, and l am glad to see you, Morton
Jacob has been gene four days, and time is
getting heavy" .
" Jacob gomez Nhere?"
"Down the river with load of furs."
"Oh-ah-yes. Well, you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night at
least; SO fpT the next twelve hours you'll feel
safe"
"Oh-I feel safe enough, returne the wo-
man quickly only lonesome"
Thus speaking, Morton threw his saddle
and saddle-bags into The cabin, and then led
his horse around to low she'd where he
made the animal, fast and fed him. Alter
this he returned to the dwelling and entered,
and was soon discussing the events of the
times over an ample supper. His hostess
told him all that had transpired in her neigh.
borhood since his last visit, and the visitor
gave her the news from the eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier upon
that rout for several years, and not once had
he passed to and rO,without spending a night
at Jacob Burnap's. In fact, he was about the
only regular visitor at the hunters cabin, and
although the intervals between his visits were
long, yet he seemed almost fixture of the
place. Polly Bunrap, still in the bloom of
woman hood knew his generous, noble char
acter so she felt perfectly free and at home
in his presence.
is it known on the rout that your load is
SO valuable 2"
81 think not-though it may be. Still l
am.welI armed, and fancy it would be a
tough job for any one 10 tackle old Liant.
"A man was robbed on the creek few
days ago"
"And the robbers have fed;" added Nor
ton, carlessly as he drew his mail-bags after
| him.
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock, as he
was tired and sleepy from his hard ride
P oily bad work TO do, having neglected it
while talking with her guest, so when she
had seen him safely at rest in the loft. she
drew her basket to the little table where the
candle was, and went to work upon some
clothing for her child who was soundy sleep
| ing in the corner.
The old German clock upon the wall, with
its great weights and winding strings all ex-
| posed, had struck ten, ere Polly arose from
her work. She had just pushed the basket
beneath the table, and taken up the candle,
when the front door opened, and two men
entered. They were in their stockings, their
shoes having been left out side.
Hush p uttered the foremost Of the in-
| truders. "Speak but one word above whis
| per, and you die IN an instant"
Polly recovered from her quick terror, and
looked up, She saw two, stout, wicked, ugly
looking men, one Of whom held a cooked pis-
tol towards her. With quickness of per-
pistol would not be irOd If she held her peace
as that would make more noise than she could
make. And further-she recognized in the
foremost a notorious villain, who bore the
| name Of Dick Galluse. .-..-.
She had never seen him before, but the
minute description her husband had gwen of
the man, led her at once TO know him-and
positively, too, for one big scar on the left
| cheek was mark enough.
"What seek you, gentlemeu?" asked Pol
ly. without betraying the least fear.
'We have come to seek the mail CARRIER"
replied Galluss, in hoarse whisper. "Where
is he ? Don't speak too loud" q.
"He is long since asleep. Would it not do
as we'll to see him in the morning We can
find you room and lodging"
The fair hostess had said this for the pur-