The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-01-03
THE BORDER HEROINE.


back, there lived few miles above Horse
head, stout pioneer named Jacob Bur-.
nap, His wife, Polly, and one child.
nine years old, made up his family. His
chief business was hunting, and his un-
|erring rifle never failed to supply his
board and something over. His nearest
|neighbor was fifteen miles off, SO he was
little troubled with prying visitors.
/. was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat load
| of furs and skins. He left Polly in
charge of the premises, and he left with
her, too, a light rifle and brace of pistols.
She knew how to use the rife, for never
was she happier that than when her
husband patted her on the shoulder
and said "Nobly done, Polly, my dear;
l could not have made better shot my
lself' And he had occasion to say this
with truth, too. sa
Jacob Burnap had been gone four
days, when towards evening a horseman
rode up TO the hunters door. He was a
small, muscular man, some forty years
of age, and seemed Injured to all hard
fships. As he sprang from his saddle,
Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly, once more here," the new
conner said, as he drew we'll filled pair
of saddle bags from the back Of his ia
tigued beast. ~
eyes, and I'm glad to see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and time is get
ting heavy oaiii5 basay55i :
! "Jacob gone Where r.
"Down the river with load of furs. y
"Oh, yes. Well, you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night
at least, so for the next twelve hours you
will be safe. y bs4as
"Oh-I feel safe enough" returned
the woman quickly, only little lone
some. M 6ee gsa4 sts3 e8ai
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
die bags into the cabin and led his horse
around to 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
transpired in the neighborhood since his
last visit, and the visitor gave her all the
news of the eastern valley. Liant Morten
had been mail carrier upon that route fol
several years, and not onco had he pass
ed to and fro without spending night
at Jacob Burnap's. In fact he was about
the only regular visitor at the hunter
cabin, and although the intervals between
his visits we're long. yet he seemed al
most fixture to the place. Polly Bur-
nap just in the bloom of wemanhooe
knew his gentle, generous, noble eharac
ter, and she felt perfectly free and a
home in his presence.
sis it known on the road that YOU
load is valuable 2" asked Polly.
II think not-though it may be. Still
u am we'll armed, and | fancy it would b,
a tough job for any one to tackle old Nor
ton." -
IA man was robbed on the creek few
days ago." eL
aAnd the robbers have fed" addet
Morton carelessly, as he threw his mai
!, bags otter him. aa
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock, al
he was tired from his long ride, Poll,
had work to do, having neglected it whil
talking to her guest, SO when she hat
, seen him safe at rest in the bed she drew
her basket to little table where the can
de was and went to work upon som,
clothing for the child who was sound,
sleeping in corner.
The old German clock upon the wal
with its great weight and wind string
all exposed had struck ten ere Poll,
arose from her work. She had just pushe,
the basket beneath the table when th
front door opened and two men entered
They werei in their stockings, their shoe
having been left outside. sa
"Hush !" uttered the foremost in
truder. ts. e e
"Speak but one word above whispe
and you die in moment"
Polly recovered from her quick terro
|, and looked up, She saw two stout, wick
ed, ugly looking men, one of whom hel
cooked pistol toward her. With quick
ness of perception natural to her, sh
knew that the pistol would not be fired
: : she held her peace, as that would max
! more noise than she could make, an
: further-she recognized in the foremos
a notorious william, who bore the nam
! Of Dick Gallus. ag
. She had never seen him before, but th
! minute description her husband had give
of the man, led her to know him an
positively, too, for one big scar on th
left cheek was mark enough.
"What do you ask, gentlemen2' aske
!, Polly without betraying the least,fear
: "We have come to see the mail ca
= rier," one replied, in hoarse whispe
:, "where is he? Don't speak too loud
"He is. long since asleep. Would
J not DO as we'll to see him in the morl
:, ling? We can find you room and lodI
: ing" -
- The fair hostess had said this for Il
) purpose of gaining time. She knew vel
/, we'll that these men had come to rob Il
! carrier, aud was equally sure that tn,
= would murder him if they could, al
u would in all probability put her out
2, the way as well. They had evident
20 learned the valuable load he carried, al
,e |, meant to carry it in his stead
!. "Never mind his being asleep. Sht
us where heis at once, roughly reph
In Gallus in answer to Polly's last !
or mark. biiaagR aHi nI
Sc 4sBut I can call hin, ,,good sirs, "reaso
y, ed the woman. calmly, though there "