Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1868-02-27

herself OF the sOverelgns her hl
' band had left, and taking the b
in which they were left from Il
cupboard over the fireplace, 81
carefully tucked it between tt
, beds, remarking at the san
time, to Bridget, "that no o,
would ever think of looking for
there"
"No," was the reply; "It woul
be smart man, sure, that woul
be lookin' under the children
find gould"
The tea over, for they wer
early sleepers as we'll as early ris
ers, the girl requested that sh
might be allowed to pass the eve
ming with her sister who reside,
about mile distant, and the anx
ious wife and mother, although
10th to do SO, at length consented
insisting upon an early return.
"But you will be lack early
Bridget?''
CAV coorse / will that same
But don't be after frettin. And
the girl departed.
The lone woman busted herself
as best she could until a late hour
but the girl did not return. In a
fever of anxiety, she watched un.
til fully another sixty minutes
had passed, although it appeared
to her like a half a day; and then
considering it useless to remain
up longer, sought her own pillow,
after commencing herself to Him
who is the protector of the wild
ow and the father of the father
less. But she had not closed her
eyes before there was a loud rap
on the door.
':Is that you, Bridget?" she ask
ed hopefully.
"No," was the answer, and her
heart sunk like lead within her.
"No, 1 am a stranger-have lost
my way; you must let me in."
"I cannot-cannot! | am a poor
lone woman. / dare not let you
in"
"You need have no fears
As there is God in heaven, will
not harm you. | am an escaped
convict-an innocent one-and
as you have mercy in your heart,
open the door"
When was such an appeal made
to an Irish heart in vain ? An es-
capped convict, and wanting succor?
That is talisman to open every
door-to have the last potatoe or
bite of bread forced into the hum
CRY mouth. Yes, it is truly the
open sesame to an Irish heart, and
it operated so in this case.
The woman arose, opened the
door, gave the fugitive food, and
having received his assurance that
he would do her no harm, but
on the contrary, protect her, and
also seen him stretch himself upon
the floor before the remnant of the
peat fire, she again sought the
side of her sleeping children.
But even then she was not allow
ed to rest. At first her fears kept
her awake. Then came another
loud knock for admission, and both
she and her strange visitor arose.
"Is this part of your gang p
she asked in a trembling whisper.
81 call Heaven to witness that
such is not the case," he answered
solemnly. "Ask them what they
want"
She did SO and was told that
she had money in the house, and
they were determined to have it.
"Tell them" whispered the stran-
ger, "that it will be dangerous for
them to enter"
81 have a friend here" she said,
going close to the door, ga man
who will protect me, and you had
better not attempt to get in."
"I know better p laughed fe-
male voice-that of Bridget, the
servant girl, 81 know there is no
one there except the children"
"What shall I-shall do ?" ask
ed the poor woman, wringing her
hands.
"Tell them," again said the
stranger, "that l have pistols, and
will shoot the first one that dares
to step his foot inside the door,
God help me ! l would not have
blood upon my hands, but 1 prom
ised to protect you with my life,