Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-11-24


the man, led her to know him and positive
ly, too, for one big scar on the left cheek
was mark enough. 4
s'What 90 you ask, gentlemen = asked
Polly without betraying the least fear"
eve have come TO see the mail carrier"
one replied, in a hoarse whisper, = where is
he? DON'T speak too loud.
.'iIe is long since asleep. Would it not
do as well to see him IN the morning? We
can find YOU room and lodging"
The fair hostess had slid this for the pur-
pose of gaining time. She knew very well
that these men had come to rob the carrier,
and was equally sure that they would muir
der him if they could. and would ii all prob
ability put her out Of tie way as well. They
had evidently learned the valuable load he
carried, and meant to carry it in his stead.
Never mind his being asleep. Show US
where he is at once, ? roughly replied dallus
in answer to Pollys last remark.
but can call him, good sirs,' reason
ed the woman calmly, though there was
alarm in her soul
Call him call.7 growled the villain
with fierce oath You call him, and you
will be called to anothcr world. Quick show
US the way.
The mild eye that could aim an unorring
bullet at the forest beast, did not even be-
tray the thoughts Of the woman's soul, nor
did look tell her meaning. She was very
pale but did not trenlbIe.
z This way, Sis, = she whispered.
And as she spoke she turned towards the
door Of the little bed room pantry. She did
not open it till both the men were close be-
hind her.
" nontyou hear him breathc?''
& Yes returned both villains. And they
did hear a breathing but it was OF child
close at hand.
As they thus answered her, she threw the
door opell-it opened inward. The men
sew dark void, but they pressed forward
In an instant Polly Burnap leapcd back
Gallus was upon his heels With all her
power the noble woman threw herself against
the rear man and the next moment both the
robbers lay sprawling or the cellar bottom.
This had been the door opening to the
deep excavation, and the only means Of
egross was by perpendicular ladder. Gould
this have been moved, Polly would have
pulled it up immediately, but it was spiked
to its place, and she mnst let il remain 10
close the door would be useless, for she had
not ready means to fasten it. So she did
what she had resolved upon from the first I;
she sprang to the fire place and caught the
trusty rife, and having cooked it She moved
towards the open door. She heard curses Ct
the villains as they reached the ladder, and
she soon knew that one Of them had found
it.
< Back she cried, as she saw head above
the threshold, The candle upon tie table
threw but dim light upon the spot, but it
was sufficient
She saw the rohber raise pistol. She
had husband--a child and had set herself
to save the carrier. With these thoughts
GIashing through her mind She pulled the
trigger i sharp report went ringing through
the house, and its echo was a deep groan
from the cellar bottom.
Ere the second robber could show himself,
Morton came rushing into the room with q
pistol in each hand
what is it p he cried
"Thore There..' gasped Polly, pointing
to the doorway, where q savage looking face
had Just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been too much used to
danger to waste time in conjecture, and I'M
mediately shot the villain dead, who fell with
heavy sound upon the cellar
" Are there any more = he asked, cooking
his pistol.
!. !: Z 4 Z &
And so you meant to save me ?" remark
ed the carrier, as Polly hesitatod
g Yes, ycs-I did. Yes that was it,
And as soon as the noble woman had sl.f-
fciently recovered, she told him the whole
storys
Morton expressed his thoughts as best he
could; but after all, tie moisture Of his light
eye, the changing Of bis countenance, and
very lack Of language, told her more than
words could have done
After due deliberation il was decided That
the bodies should remain there until morn
ing. 50 the cellar door was shut the front
door boltcd, and they prepared to retire; but
for the rest Of the night Morton made his
bed upon the floor of the large room.
Ia the morning just rs the carrier was
dressed there was a rap on the door accom-
panied by voice he knew full well lie
fastened to open tho door and gave entrance
to Jacob Burnap. The hunter had met q
party Of traders at I4ewisburg, and disposed
Of all his skins to them, thus finishing his
Journey six days earlier than lie had antici-
patod:
Polly was soon upon her husbands bosom,
and when he had told them his own story,
Morton gave him the adventure. Jacob was
at first incredulous, but when he had seen the
bodies he was satisfied.
Polly, my jewel" he said, placing his
al1n around her neck, I am prond Of you. [
love you more and more, for every day find
more to love. And then turning to Morton
he added:
What do you think IF such wife z
''Ah," returned the guest, with deep feel
INC Z. if poor Liant Morton had such wife,
he wouldn't be q mail carrier"
When Morton left he was directed to stop
at the first settlement and state to the Off
GERS what had happened and he promised to
do So He once more blessed the brave Wo-
man who saved his life, and then set out =
Late in the afternoon two officers arrived at
tic cabin, and when they were shown the
dead bodies, at once proceeded to remove
them And ere a week had passed, whole