The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-06-29

The dying girl OF Resaca.
THE BORDER HEROINE.
Some years ago, before the State of
Arkansas was so densely populated as
now, and when all the mails from Liz
tie Rock to the Eastern border were
carried OH horseback, there lived few
miles above HOrse-Head stout pioneer,
named jacob Burnay. His wife Polly,
and ono child, nine years old, made up
his family. His chief business was
hunting, and his unerrinS rifle never
failed to supply his board and some
thing over. His nearest neighbOr was
fifteen miles off, so he. was little troub-
led with prying visitors.
1t was early in the spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat
lead of furs and skins. He left Polly i'll
charge of the premises, and he left with
her, too, a light rifle and brace OF
pistols. She knew how to use the rifle,
for never was she happier than when
her husband patted her on the shoulder
and said-"NObly done, Polly, my dear!
could not have made better shot my
self" And he had occasion to say this
with truth, too.
Jacob Burnay had been gone four
days, when toward evening horseman
rode up to the hunters door. He was a
small muscular man about forty years
of age, and seemed Injured to all hard
ships. As he sprang from his saddle
Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly, once more here, "the new
conner said, as he drew n well filled pair
of saddle bags from the back of his
fatigued beast.
"Yes, and Pm glad TO see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and times are
getting heavy"
Jacob gone, Wherei"
"Down the river with load of furs."
80, yes. Well you shall have the
company Of Liant Morton for one night
at least; so for the next twelve hours
you'll be SAFE"
."Oh-I feel safe enough" returned
the woman quickly, "only little lone
some." ..r
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
die bags into the cabin, and led his
horse around to a low shed, where he
mada the animal fast and fed him.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier
upon that route for several years, and
not once had he passed to and fro with
out spending night at Burnay's. Polly
Burnay, just in in the bloom of woman
hood, knew his gentle, generous, noble
character, so she felt perfectly free and
ut home in his presence.
wsit known on the route that your
load is valuable I" asked Polly.
~ think not-though il may be. Still
l am we'll armed, and i fancy it would
be a tough job for any one to tackle old
Morton" ',sr~.- = r.-ETlf.
"a mar was robbed on the crrek a
few days ago."
"And the robbers have fled," added
Morton carelessly, 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 talking to her guest, so when
she had seen linn safe at rest in bed,
she drew her basket to little table
where the candle was, and went to WORK
upon some clothing for her child, who
was soundly sleeping in the corner. :,
The old German clock upon the wall,
with its weight aud wind strings all
exposed, had struck ten ere Polly arose
from her work. She just pushed her
basket beneath the table, when the
front door opened and two men entered.
They were in their stockings, their
shoes being left outside the door.
"Hushw uttered the foremost intru-
der.
"Speak but one word above whisper
and you die in a moment"
Polly recovered from her quick terror
and looked up. She saw two ugly,
stout, wicked looking men, one of whom
held o cooked pistol toward her. With
a quickness Of perception natural 70
her, she knew the pistol would not be
fired, if she held her peace, as that
would make more noise than she could
make, and further-she recognized IN
the foremost notorious rutf1an VINO
bore the name of Dick Gallus.
She had never seen him before, out
the minute description her husband had
given of the man led her to know him
and positively, too. for one big scar on
the left cheek was mark enough.
"What do you ask, gentlemen asked
Polly, without betraying the least
fear.
"We have come to see the mail car
rier," one replied in hoarse whisper;
where is hei Don't speak too loud:
"He is long since asleep. Would IL
not do as well to see him in the morn,
ingi We can find you room ana
lodging"
The fair hostess had said this for the
purpose of gaining time. She knew
very we'll that these men had come to
rob the carrier, and was equally sure
that they would murder him if they could
and probably put her out of the way, too.
They had evidently learned the valua-
BILE load he carried, and meant to carry
it in his stead.
"Never mind his being asleep. Show
US where he is ut once, !" roughly replied
Gallus in answer to Polly's last remark.
The mild eye that could aim an un.
erring bullet at the forest beast did not
even betray the thoughts of the wO-
meaning. She was very pale, but did
not tremble.s
"This way, sirs," she whispered.
And as she spoke she turned towards
the door of the bedroom pantry. She
did not open it till both the men were
men were close behind her.
"Don't you hear him breathe ~
YES" returned both rascals. And
they did hear o breathing, but it was OF
child close at hand. J
As they answered her she threw the
door open-it opened inward. The men
saw q dark void, but they pressed for
ward. In an instant Mrs. Burney leap
ed 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