North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-04-12

in answer to PolIy's last remark.
"But can call him, good sirs," reasoned
the woman, calmly, though there was a larm
in her soul.
"Call him Call 2" growled the villain
with fierce oath. "You call him and you'll
be called to another world, Quick, show US
the way"
The mild eye that conld aim an unerring
bullet at the forest beast did not even be,ray
the thoughts of that woman's soul, nor did
look tell her meaning She was pale, but she
did not tremhIe.
''This way, sirs," she whispered. ...
And as she spoke, she turned towards
door of the little bed room and the pantry.
She did not open it until both men was close
behind her.
Don't you hear b i'm breathe 2" she whis-
pered.
"Yey," returned both villains. And they
did hear breathing, but it was of the child
close at hand.
AS they thus answered her she threw the
door wide open-it opened inward. The men
saw a dark void, but they passed forward.
In an instant Polly Burnap leaped back
GaIluss was upon the threshold and his com
panion close up on his heels. With all her
power, the noble woman threw herself against
the rear man, and the next moment both the
robbers lay spraulng on the cellar botttm,
81, 81
deep excavation and the only means Of egress
was by perpendicular ladder. Could this
have been moved, Polly would have pulled it
Immediately up,but it was spiked to its place
and she must let it remain, To close the
door would be useless for she had no ready
means to fasten it. So she did wha t she had
resolved upon from the first; she sprang to
the fireplace, and caught the trusty rifle from
its picket, and having cooked it, she turned
towards the open, door. She heard the curses
Of the villains as they reached for the ladder,
found il.
"Back p she cried, as she saw head ap-
pear above the threshold. The candle upen
the table threw but dim light upon'the spot
but it was suffi cient.
She saw the robter ra'se pistol. She cod
not die She had a husband-a child-and
had set herself to save the carrier With
these thoughts flashing through her mnd she
pulled the trigger. \ sharp renort went
ringing through the house, and its echo was
a deep groan from the cellar bottom.
Ere abe second robber coul Id show himself
Morton came rushing into the room with re
vover in each hand.
What is it ?" he cried.
''There! There" ga>ped Polly, pointing
to the doorway, where savage looking face
had just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been long enough used to
danger not to waste time in conjecture.
Are there any more ?" he asked cooking
the second pistol
"No, shot one p And as Polly Burnap
tnrs spoke she sank into a chair.
4 4
"And so you meant to save me ?" aemak-
ed the carrier, as Polly hestated.
eyes yes,-I did. Yet, that was it,"
And as som as the noble woman was sufi-
GENTLY recovered, she told him the whole
story.
Morton expressed his thanks as best he
could but, after all, the moisture of his
sharp gray eye, the changing of his counte
nance, aud the very lack Of language, told
more than words could have done.
After due dehberation, it was decided
that the bodies should remain where they
we're till morning. So the cellar door was
shut, the front door bolted, and then they
prepared once more to retire but for the
rest of the night Morton made his bed upon
the floor of the large room.
In the morning, just as the carrier was
dressed, there came a loud rap upon the
outer door, accompanied by a voice which
he knew full well He hastened to oren tie
door, and gave entrance to Jacob Burnap-
The hunter had met party Of traders at
Lewisburg, and disposnd of all bis skins to
them, thus finishing his journey six days
sooner than he had anticipated.
Polly was soon upon her husbands bosom.
and when he had told his own story, Morton
gave him an account of the last nights ad
venture. Jacob was at first ncredulous.
but when he had been down and seen the
bodies, he was satisfied.
"PolIy my jewel" he said, placing one
arm around Ter neck, II am proud of you.
l love you more and more. for every day
find more to love-" And then turning to
Morton, he added:
"What do you think of such wife ?''
"Ah." returned the guest, with deep feel
ing, "if poor Liant Morton had such one be
wouldn't be a mail carrier"
When Morton left, he was directed to
stop at the first settlement, and state to the