The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-05-06
THE REWARD OF BRAVERY;
OR,
THE ESCAPED CONVICT.

the house aud murder us all. / new
er say my prayers and go to bed
without trembling for my own life,
aud that of the children, and the
little woman hung upon the arm Of
the strong man aud begged him, with
fearful eyes, to give up his wander
ing life Chat Of a peddler) aud settle
down.
Gas soon as l have gathered enough
together TO Luy me bit of ground,
or, what would be better still, to em.
igrate to America-that blessed land,
where as the song says, "thero's bread
and work for all, aud the bright sun
is always shining, Ill gladly give up
the path, for it is no easy work at
the best"
"Cnly think of the money you
have iu the house nov, husband dear?
Surely there is enough to take US
across the sea--you aud nc aud the
children and Bridget, too, if she likes
to go.'
Bridget was the servant girl who
helped the wife Of the pcddlcr and
was her sole companion when he was
away, and her eyes snapped with np-
parent delight when she heard the
proposition. But she said nothing,
and "master" continued
at is true for you, Kathleen, that
l have a matter of hundred pounds
or so, which | will leave for you to
take care of and f have good luck
this trip | promise you to romain at
home or 90 TO America, bless her.
It's a good friend she has been to
Ireland, and many is the poor soul
she has kept from starving. SO take
good care of the gold and children,
Kathlcen--you aud Bridget, until |
come back" and he kissed his wife
aud bright.eyed and curly headed
babies, gave Bridget the good bye,
shouldered his pack, and strobe stout.
ly away, whistliug merrily.
His heart was light, his form
strong, he had none of the fears of
his wife, and was looking forward
joyfully to the time when he could
have a little home, ga pig aud a COW
and patch of potatoes, that would
belong to himself alone, aud over
which no heard. hearted steward or
non resident landlord could claim
control, although he would willingly
pay his tithes to the church.
Terrence 0'Brien was peddler by
profession, and was called fore
handed" man. His family consisted
ofa wife, two children, boy scarcely
three years, babe, and the girl or
all work, Bridget. At the start of
his married life he had rented little
cottage that stood in lonely, out Of
tho way place; although he had in
creased his stores, he had retained
possession Of it, on the score Of econ
Omy.
A brave, athletic man, aud one
who feared nothing human, he could
not understand the terrors of his
wife Kathleen-in fact he gave them
little thought. Besides, robbery was
u thing unknown among the peasant
ry, and who would ever dream of his
having a large amount of money in
his wretchod cabin? But this was
not Lis custom to do so. Usually he
deposited it in a secure place. So he
gave the matter no further thought
than 10 promise himself that this
should be his last journey (if he did
as we'll as he anticipated )and he tug
ged around, dattering the rosy check
ed girls into purchasing fnery with
which to dazzle the eyes of their
beaux at the next fair.
With Kathleen, however, it was
different. As the night began to
draw near aud the wind to creep
round the corners of tho chimney
with a mournful sound, she bethought
herself Of the sovercigns her husband
had left, and taking the bag in which
they we're kept from the cupboard
over the FIRE place, she carefully tuck
ed it between the beds, remarkiug at
the same time, to Bridget, "that no
one would ever think Of looking there
for it,"
"No," was the reply. at would
be a smart man, shure, that would be
looking under tho childer to lind
gold.
The tea over, they wero early sleep.
ers as we'll as early risers, the girl re-
quested that she might be allowed TO
pass the evening with her sister, who
resided about mile distant, aud the
anxious wife aud mother, although
10th to do so, at length consented,
insisting upon an early return.
But you will be back early,
Bridget p
SAY, coOrse I will that same But
don't be after fretting." Aud the
girl departed.
The loLe woman busted herself at
best she might until late hour; but
the girl did not return. In fever of
anxiety she watched until another
full sixty minutes had passed, al
though it appeared to her like half a
day aud then considering it useless
to remain up any longer, sought her
own pillow, after commendiug her.
selctO Him who is the protector of
the widow and the iatherless. But
she had not closed her eyes before
there was a loud rap upon the door.
"Is that you Bridget" she asked
hopefully.
"NO,' was the answer, and her
heart sank like lead within her. mo,
/ am a stranger-have lost my way I;
you must let me in"
"You need have no fear. AS there
is God 10 Heaven | will not harm
you. am an escaped convict-an
innocent one-and as you have mer.
! ey in your heart. open the door"