Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-02-18

| loved? who cannot recall the time when
speech seemed insufficient for thought,
when look, touch, would almost swell
the heart to bursting9 Yes, love is holy,
and glorious thing; those who have not
loved-have not lived. The timid endear
ment-the mute thought speaking answer
the thousand, call them not folIies-the
oft repeated name. sacred 70 you--is it not
music in your ears? Are not these pleas
ures beyond ell others Of the earth, when
love i. present, gliding all, and passion ye,
slumbers?
She was very, very happy; her heart had
not been frittered away in a series of at
tachments; she was no ball room fiutterer,
with stock of love on hand ready for tie
first'comer; but an ardent, faithful woman,
pouring out her souls treasures now and
forever, lavishing that priceless gift. her
heart, worshipping, perhaps, mere idol.
And Arnold, who could be fonder than he?
he urged his suit with all the vehemence
Of his fiery nature, and the wedding day
was fixed Before be left the Beckers to ar
range matters.
1t is an indisputable fact that matrimony
and new clothes are synonymous, or, at all
events, closely connected as knife fork and
no one thinks OF one without the other
Therefore, in Arnold's absence, she deci>
ded on going to Tuerveeren to make her
necessary purchases. On returning, their
heavily laden vehicle broke down near an
inn. 1t was the depth Of winter, and so
long a time elapsed ere the damage could
be repaired, that Monsieur Becker decided
to pass the night at the inn. The roads
were almost impossible from the heavy
fall Of snow, and il would be dangerously
late ere they could reach their homes
because the neighborhood was infested by
a gang of daring bandittl who even often
attacked houses.
Tie accommodation offered at q way.
side inn is seldom very good, and they
considered themselves fortunate In secur-
ing bedroom with an inside closet where
Elisa could sleep. Her marriage was so
near, father and daughter had so much to
say that they sat far into the night, weav>
ing plans for the future.
At le.gth Elisa retired, to dream OF him
she loved Becker had hardly closed his
eyes, when, summoned by a cautios knock
at his door he hastily opened it, and his
host entered, pale, but still with no COW
ards look.
.Eh, what means this, Schmidtt, asked
Beckr.
'Hush. listen. Monsieur: you know l am
no poltroon, TO start at a mouse; but, as
sure as heaven, those thieving deyils are
trying the strength of our back door
Good heavens. what must VIC do?'
Il have more money than care to lose, i
and I'm afraid they know it, and yet
drew out those two thousand francs as
cautiously as / could. But nv boy and l
mean to fight for it There are the women
you know.
Elisa. my poor child! Have you gun
for ms?'
To be sure have. knew you did not
want courage, though you are so quiet
Don't disturb your daughtcr-screams can
do no good; but we are three, and the ost-
Ter and your mans he good oneT
"rrre as STEEL hasten!'
Not a bit Of it; they must break in the
courtyard gates; then Neptune and C@s,
ar will be at 'em-hark, how they growl.
And while they are confusing them, we'll
let Hy, and waste no shot; my wife win re-
load the guns while we handle our pis-
OILS. only hope We maynt touch the
poor dear dogs; 1 lossed 'em before
came 10 yos. The fools think we are
asleep.
Schmidt's excellent plan was adopted
and met with the success 1t deserved, but
the brigands were so numerous that their
vigorous resistance, instead Of repelling,
only aroused their angry passions and
stimulated them to fresh exertions. Beck
er had already incautiously exposed him-
women now joined in the fray-all but
Elisa.
Her father had turned the key on her,
lest she should incur danger while endeav>
oring to join him. She could hear the
neise, but the window looked out to the
side of the house where she could not see
anything. She wildly rushed from the
door to the window, from the window tc
the door, calling on her father; but she re-
mained unanswered.
Again the banditti were vigorously re-
pulsed, and the besieged could see them
clustering together at a respectful distance
as if holding council of war.
AS long as our ammunition lasts dom
care straw for them, cried Schmidt
They can't get at US; but what fools they
are not to think of the wood house; ifthey
could set that on fire they'd do us forever
but they mean to do it; see that scoundre
sneaking off there? I'll pick him of-his
hash is settled
He fired-the man fell; suddenly they
hesitated, wavered, and finally made of,
leaving their dead or dying on the field
and were scarcely out OF sight when the
cause of alarm was discovered by the APP
pearance of body of gendarmerie. The
host at first feared that this might be Q
stratagem of the brigands, and would moi
admit the few who remained to protect
them while the others rode on in purs uit
until be had recognized their commander
Then, and not till then, did Becker leave
his post; he was assisted TO his room. he
calico Elisa, bit there was no answer; be
darted 10 her side; what sight met his
eye. man had attempted to effect an en-
trance by that unguarded window: he had
partly succeeded; bis head had been fore d
.l-,~b tbo .r,all anartpro vb;ls Ef,ee re.