The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-04-30


trary protect her, and having also seen
him stretch upon the floor before the
remnant Of the peat fire, she again
sought the side of her sleeping chill
dren.
But even then she was not allowed
to rest. At first her fears kept her a.
wake. Then came loud rap for adj
mission, ann both she and her stranger
visitor arose.
SIS this part of your gang?" she
asked in a trembling whisper.
81 call Heaven to Witness" he an
swered solemnly, "that such is not the
case. Ask them what they want"
She did so, and was told that they
knew she had money in the house and
were determined to have it.
'tTell theln," whispered thestranger,
"that you have friend with you, and
it will be dangerous for them to enter"
81 have friend here" she said, go
ing close to the door, "a man who viii
protect me, and you had better not try
to get inn
81 know BETTER" laughed female
voice that of Bridget, the servant girl;
81 know there is no one in the house
except yourself and the children"
''What shall I do-shall do ?" asked
the poor woman, wringing her hands.
Tell them again." whispered the
stranger, that ! have pistols, and will
shoot the first one that dare step his
foot within the door. God help me!
would not have blood on my hands;
but / promised to protect you with my
life, and l will. Warn them once
more.
Bridget" shouted Mrs. O'Brien,
"the friend have here has pistols, and
will certainly kill you. l warn yeu to
60 away"
Again the bold, bad laugh of the SER
want girl rang out, and her voice could
be heard urging them on.
''It's only talking they are. Divil a
one is there in the cabin but the chill
dreu. Break down the door and done
with it. tell you there is mere than
a hundred pounds hid between the
beds"
"Stand back" whispered the con-
Wet to his hostess, "their blood be up
on their own heads"
Scarcely hal the words been uttered
before heavy blows fell upon the door
and made it tremble upon its hinges.
The self-appointed protector stood a
little to one side, calm ard firm. In
either hand he held pistol, and his
manner showed that he was no stran-
ger to their use.
Down with the door," shouted
Bridget, cor else stand aside and give
me the AK"
A shower of heavy blows and it fell.
The false servant girl entered and
dropped dead with a bullet in her
brain. fbe foremost of the men met
the same fate, and the others fed.
They had had quite enough of blood
shed.
To leave the helpless woman thus,
was not to be thought Of by the kind
hearted stranger; and though prison
or transportation stared him in the
face, he comforted her as well as posi-
BILE, Strengthened the corpses, and then
Fastening to the nearest magistrate,
told the entire story. not even deny
ing who and what he was.
The facts were too evident to bear
even questioning, and as a reward for
his bravery the convict was pardoned-
subsequently found to have been COL
victed innocently, and when the hus-
band and father returned, was readily
persuaded with his family to emigrate
to America.
Now, in one of the western States,
Terrence O'Brien has hoIse by the
side of a beautiful river, and not far
from it is another where the once fu-
gitive convict has a wife and children
of his own to protect, and both will
give an heirloom to their Gescerdapts,
the little but true story Of how par
don was won.