Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-11-14

the foremost a notorious villain who
bore the name of Dick Calais
She had never seen him before, but
the minute description her husband
had given of the m II, led her to know
-hiu-and positively, too, for one big
tscar ON the left cheek was mark enough.
''What do you seek, gentlemen p
asked Polly, without hetraying the
least fear.
eve have come to seek the mail car
,rier. ;" one replied in II hoarse whisper.
Where is he ?--'Don't speak too loud.
"He is long since asleep, Would it
not do as we'll to see him in the morn
ing? We can find you room and lodg-
ing.
The fair hostess had said this for tn
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 would in all probability pnt
her out of the way as well. They had
evidently learned the valuable load he
eafued, and meant to carry it in his
Stead.
/ Never mind his being asleep, show
ms where he is at once" roughly re-
piled Gallus in' answer to Polly's re-
mark.
But can call him, good sirs, !" rea-
soned the woman calmly, though there
was alarm in her soul
"Call him Call growled the villain
Ewith fierce oath lyon call him, and
you'll be called to another world
| Quick-Show us the way.
The mild eye that could aim an I'M
erring bullet at the forest beast, did
not even betray the thoughts of that
woman s soul, nor did look tell her
meaning. She was pale, but she did
not tremble.
"This way, sirs," she whispered
And as she spoke she turned toward
door of the little bedroom and the
pantry She did not open it uutl both
men were close behind her.
Don't you hear him breathe ?" she
whispered.
Yes" returned both villains And
they did hear breathing, but it was
that of the child close at hand.
AS they thus answered her, she threw
the door open-it opened inward. The
men saw !. X void, but they pressed
forward In al instant Polly Burnap
l4aped back Gallus was upon the
threshold and his companion close up
on his heels. With all her power the
noble woman threw herself against the
rear man, and the next moment both
the robbers lay sprawling on the cellar
bottom.
This had been the door opening to a
deep excavation, and the only means of
egress was by Perpendicular ladder.
Could this have moved Polly would
have pulled it Immediately up, but it
was spiked to its place, and she must
let it remain, To close the door would
be useless, for she had no ready means
to fasten it, So she did what she had
resolved upon from the first she
sprang to the fire place and caught the
trusty rifle from its place, and having
cooked it, she moved toward the open
door. She heard the curses of the vii
lains as they reached for the ladder,
and she soon knew that one OF them
had reached it.
Back, she cried as she saw a head
above the threshold. The candle upon
the table threw but a dim light upon
the spot. but it was sufficient.
She saw the robber raise pistol. -
She had husband-n child--and had
set herself to save the carrier. With
these thoughts dashing through her
her mind, she pulled the trigger. A
sharp report went ringing through the
house, and its echo was a deep groan
from the cellar bottom.
Ere the second robber could show
himself, Morton came rushing into the
room with revolver in each hand.
"What is it ?" he cried.
"There There p gasped Polly,
pointing to the doorway, where saw
age-looking face had just presented it.
self.
Liant Morton had been long enough |
used to danger not 20 waste time in
A