Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-16

The Border Heroine.

The Border Heroine.
Some years ago, before the State Of Ar
kansas was. SO densely populated as now.
and when the mails from Little Rock to
the eastern borders were carried on horse
back, there lived few miles above Horse
head, a stout pioneer named Jacob Burnap.
His wife, Polly. and one child, nine years
old, made up his family. His CHIEF bust
ness was hunting. aud his uncrring rifle
never failed to supply his board and some
thing over. His nearest neighbor was
fifteen miles off, so he was little troubled
with prying visitors.
1t was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with a boat load OF
| furs and skins. He left Polly in charge of
the premises, and left with her too, a ght
rifle and II brace of pistols. She knew
how to use the rifle, for never was she hap
pier than when her husband patted her on
the shoulder and said 'Nobly done, Pol
w.. my dcas; could not have made a
better snot III, self. 3. .a i.v had uccaeivn
to say this with truth. too. 7
Jacob Burnap had been gone four days,
when toward evening horseman rode up
to the hunters door. he was q small mus
cular man, some forty years of age and
seemed Injured to all hardslps. As he
sprang from his saddle, Polly made her
appearance:
All, Polly, once moro here the new
conner said, as he drew IL wcll-fillcd pair of
saddle bags from the back of his fatigucd
beast.
Yes, am glad to see you Jacob has
been gone four days, and time is getting
heavy.
jacob gone! Where ,
| Down the river with load of furs.'
.Oh, yes. Well you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night at
least; so for the next twelve hours you
You will be safe
OIL feel safe enough returned the
woman quickly, only little lonesome
Thus speaking. Morton threw his saddle
bags into the cabin, and led his horse
round to a low shed, where he made the
animal fast and fed him.
After this he returned to the dwelling
and entered, and was soon discussing the
events of the time over an ample supper
His hostess had told him all that had
transpircd in the neighborhood since his
last visit. and the visitor gave her all news
Of the eastern valley. Liant Morton had
been mail carrier upon that route for scv-
eral years. and not once had he passed to
and fro without spending Il night at Jacob
Bumap's. In fact he WAS about the only
regular visitor at the cabin. and although
the intervals between his visits were long,
yet he seemed almost II fixture TO the
place. Polly Burnap, just i'll the bloom Of
womanhood. knew his gentle, generous,
| ral1a nl,n ul,., f1t n,.rT,.,fIt frnn
ana at home in his presence.
is it known on the route that your
load is valuable = asked Polly.
Il think not-thouSh it may he. Still
am we'll armed. aud fancy it would be
a tough job to tackle old Norton -
A man was robbed on the creek few
days ago
And the robbers have fed added
Morton, csrclessly, as he drew his mail
bags after him.
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock, as
he was tired from his long ride. Polly had
work to do, having neglected it while talk
ing to her guest, 50 when she had seen
! him safe at rest in the bed. she drew her
basket to little tallAwherc the candle
was, and went to wofk npon some clothing
for her child who was somplly sleeping III
the corner.
The old German clock upon the wall.
with its great weight and wind strings all
exposed had struck ten ere Polly arose
from her work She had just pushed the
basket beneath the table when the front
door opened and two men entered. They
were in their stockings. their shoes having
been left outside.
Hush y said the foremost intruder.
] Speak but one ward and you are dead
in Il moment
Polly recovered from her quick terror
and looked up. She saw two stout, wicked
ugly looking men. enc of whom held
cooked pistol towards her. With u quick
ness of perception natural to her she knew
the pistol would not be fired if she held
peacc,as that would make more noise than
she could make, and further-she rccoS-
nzed in the foremost a notorious vllllau
who bore the name of Dick Gallus.
She had never seen him before, but the
tminutest description her husband had CIV
en- her of him, led her to know him, and
positively, too. for one big scar on the left
check VAS mark enough.
What do You seek, gentlemen 2 asked
Polly, without betraying the least fear.
We have come to seek the mail carri'
er. one replied in hoarse Whisper
Where is he ! DO not speak too loud
/ He is long since asleep. Would 1t not
be as we'll to see him in the morning We
can find you room and lodging
The fair hostess said this for the purpose
| of gaining tiulc. She knew very wei
these men had come to rob the carrler.ai,
equally sure that they would murder him
if they could, and would in all probabilit!
put her out of the way as well. They
, had evidently learned the valuable load Ii,
carried, and meant to carry it instead.
Never mind his being asleep. Show ul
at once where he is" roughly replied
Gallus in answer to pollys last remark.
But | can call him, good sirs,' reasoned
the woman calmly, though there was
alarm in her soul.
Call him call = growlcd the villain
with fierce oath. 'lou call HIM ant
YOU will he called to another world
Quick show us the way
The mild eye that could aim an nnerr-
ing bullet at the forest beast, did not even
bctray the thoughts of the womans soul
nor did look tell her meaning. She was
Xcry pale hut did not trcmblc.
This way, sirs,' she whispered.
Aud as she spoke she turned towards the
door Of the little bedroom pantry. She
did not open it till both the men were
close behind her.
Don't you hear him brcathc''
Yes re turned the villains. And they
they did hear n breathing but it was u