Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-02-16
/" Hush !" said the foremost intuder.
" Speak but one word above whisper

aisu you uAC At - houuSb@ |
Polly recovered from her qu,k terror
and looked up. She saw two slut, wick-
ed, ugly looking men, one Of wbm held
crooked pistol towards her. With quick
ness of PERCEPTION natural to hr, she knew
the pistol would not be fred { she held
her peace, as that would make more noise
than she could make, and Irther-she
recognized in the foremost glorious viii
lain who bore the name of Dix Gallus.
She had never seen him btore, but the
minute description her husband had given
of the man, led her to know linn, and pos
lively, too. for one big scar on the left
cheek was mark enough.
"What do you seek, gentlemen p asked
Polly without betraying the least fear.
We have come 10 seek the mail car
rier," one replied in hoarse whisper
Where is he 2 Don't speak too loud"
He is long since asleep. Would it
not do just as well in the morning? We
can find you room and lodging"
The fair hostess had said this for the
purpose of gaining time She knew very
well these men had come to rob the carrier,
and equally sure that they would murder
him, if they could, and in all probable
ity, put her out Of the way as well. They
had evidently learned the valuable load be
carried and meant to carry it in his
stead
Never mind his being asleep. Show
US where he is at once," roughly replied
the villain Gallus in answer to Polly's last
remark.
+" But 1 can call him, good sirs," reason
ed the woman calmly, though there was
alarm in her soul.
"Call him call ]" growled the villain
with fierce oath. +" You call him, and
you will be called TO another world
Quick, show Us the way"
The mild eye that could aim an unerr-
ing bullet at the forest beast, did not even
: betray the thoughts of the woman's soul,
nor did look tell her meaning. She was
very pale but did not tremble.
This way, sirs." she whispered.
And as she spoke she turned toward 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 breathe?"
Yes" returned both villains. And
they did hear breathing, but it was Of
> the child close at hand,
r As they thus answered her she threw
: the docs open--it opened inward. The
? men saw dark void, but they pressed
forward. In an instant Polly Burnap
leaped back. Gallus was upon her heels.
With all her power the noble woman threw
herself against the rear man and the next
!, moment both robbers lay spravling on the
cellar bottom.
This had been the door opening TO the
deep excavation, and the only means of
egress was by perpendicular ladder.
Could this have been removed, Polly
would have pulled it up Immediately, but
it was spiked to its place, and she must let
i. remain. To close the door would be
: useless, for she had not ready means TO
fasten 1t. So she did what she had resolv-
ed upon from the first she sprang to the
!, fireplace and caught, the trusty rifle, and
having cooked it she moved towards the
: open door. She heard the curses of the
: villains as she reached the ladder, and she
knew on of them had found it.
Back" she cried, us she saw a head
= above the threshold. The candle upon
9 the table threw but dim light on the spot
T. but it was sufficient.
She saw the robber raise pistol. She
y had a husband-a child-and set herself
. to save the carrier. With those Thoughts
y dashing through her mind she pulled the
trigger.
!. A sharp report went ringing through
= the house, and in its echo there was deer
groan from the cellar bottom.
y Ere the second robber could show him
! self, Morton came rushing into the room
with pistol in each hand.
e " Where is it ?" he cried.
. There there !" gasped Polly, point
ing to the doorway, where savage look
ing face had just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been too much use,
!, to danger to waste time in coojectures
: and imm ediately shot the villain dead, VIII
= fell with heavy sound upon the cellar.
= Are there any more ?" he asked cock
ing his pistol.
And SO you meant 10 save me 2" re
q marked the carrier. as Polly hesitated.
AZ Yes, yes-I did. Yes, that was it.
And soon as the noble woman had sui
as ficienily recovered, she told Linn the Who'll
~ story.
lie Morfon avnrocsad hs thouobt. os L.,