Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-09

Dick Galiuss.
She had never seen him before, but the
minute description her husband had given
of the man, led her at once to know him, and
positively, too, for one big scar on the left
cheek was mark enough
What seek you, gentlemen, asked Pol.
ly, without hetraying the least fear.
I'VE have come to see the mail carrier, :"
said Gailuss, in a 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 morning? We
can find you room for lodging"
The fair hostess said this for the purpose
of gaining time. She knew very well that
these men came to rob the carrier, and was
equally sure that they would murder him if
they could, and would in all probability, put
her out OF the way as well. They had evi
IDENTIFY learned of the valuable load he car
ried and meant to carry it in his stead.
Never mind his being asleep. Show US
where he isat once, roughly replied Gailuss,
in answer to Polly's last remark.
''But can call him, good sirs, " reasoned
the woman. calmly, though there was alarm
in her soul.
Call him Call -" growled the vii
lain with fierce oath ''You call him and
you'll be called to another world quicker
Show us the way''
The mild eye that could aim an unerrine
bullet at the forest beast did not betray the
thoughts of that woman's soul, nor did Il
look tell her meaning She was pale, but
she did not trembe.
This way, sirs," she whispered
As she spoke she turned towards door
of ne little bedroom and the pantry. She
dad not open it until both were close behind
her
Don you hear him breathe p she whis-
pered
Yes" returned both villains And they
did hear breathing, but it was the child
close at hand.
As they thus answered her she threw the
door wide open il opened inward. The
men saw dark void but they pressed for
ward In an instant Polly leaned back;
Gailuss was upon the Threshold. and his
cnmpanion close upon his heels. With all
pnwerthe nolle woman threw her. elf against
the rear man. and the next moment the
robbers Law sprawling on the cellar bottom
This had been TIE door opening to the
excavation. and the only means of egress
was by ladder Could this have been NOV
ID IL. -,
ately, but it was spiked to its place. and she
let il remain To close the door would be
useless. for she had no ready means to tasten
it. So she did what she had resolved upon
from the first; she sprang to the fire place,
caught her trusty rifle, aud having cooked
it, she turned towards the open door. She
heard the curses of the villains as thev
reached for the ladder, and she soon knew
that one of them had found it.
Back - she cried, ,as she saw head ap-
pear above the threshold. The candle upon
the table threw but dim light upon the
spot, but that was sufficient.
She saw the robber raise pistol There
was but one alternative. She could not die.
She had husband-a child-and had set
herself to save the carrier. With all these
thoughts flashing through her mind, she
drew the trigger. A sharp report went
ringing through the house, and It's echo was
a deem groan from the cellar bottom.
Ere the sec md robber could show himself,
Morton came rushing into the room with
revolver in each hand.
What is it?' he cried.
There! There!'' gasped Polly, pointing
to the open doorway, where savage look
ing face had just presented itself. Liant had
been long enough used to danger not TO waste
time in conjecture.
"Are there any more?' he asked, cooking
his second pistol.
No. | shot one !" and as Polly Burnap
thus spoke, she sank into chair.
And so you meant to save me, SAID the
carrier, as Polly hesitated.
YES, yes-I did.
And as soon as the noble woman was suf-
ficiently recovered, she told the whole story
Morton expressed his thanks As best he
could but, after all. the moisture OF his
sharp grey eye, the changing OF his counte
nance. and the very lack OF language told
more than words could have done.
Alter due deliberation 1t was decided that
the bodies should remain where they were
tiiI morning. So the cellar door was shut,
the front door bolted and then they prepared
once more to retire; but for the rest OF the
night Morton made hi, bed upon the floor
of the large room, In the morning just as
the carrier was dressing, there came loud
rap upon the outer door, accompanied by
voice which he knew full well. He hasten
ed to open the door. and gave entrance to
Jacob Burnap. The hunter had met party
of traders at Lewisburg, and disposed OF all
his skins to them, thus finishing his journey
six days sooner than he anticipated.
Polly, my jewell he said, placing an
arm around her neck, Il am proud OF you.
| love you more and more, for every day L
fin more to love- and then turning to
Morton, he added: What do you think of
such wife p
All" returned the guest, with deep
feeling. If poor L1nt Morton had such an