The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1870-07-01
A Brave Girl.


lr heroine lived in Bartlett, New
Hampshire, and was a descendant OF
the old Crawfords. Her father was a
Crawford, and followed the profession
of a guide among the mountains. Her
name was Bessie, and she was the only
daughter remaining at home-a dark
eyed, broWn-haired girl of slight, but
compact frame, just entering her nine
teenth year. Her mother had been
dead several years, and upon her de-
volyed the whole care of the household.
One day, late in summer, Mr.. Craw-
ford went, with a RssSt3E.sstsavelers,
away to the headWatSs1s sAe Of the
many mountain streams that empty
into Saco, AMI Bessie was left alone.
Even the dogs had all gone with the
pleasuae seekers. Near the middle of
the afternoon, while the girl was sit
st1ng by an open, window in the front
DOM, engaged owing, a man came
20 from thegroad and asked her if she
2uld give}him drink of water. Bes-
this IN before, and had
He was q stout,
red, ill-favored fellow,
sof moss and spikes of the
upon his clothes Indicated that
ad slept in the woods.
= But Bessie did not hesitated. She
laid aside her work and went to get the
water. When she came back the man
had entered the room. She did not
like this, for she was sure he had come
in by the window but she handed him
the tin dipper without remark. The
man drank, and then set the dipper
down upon the table. Then he turned
upon the girl, and drew a broad-bladed
knife from his pocket.
Look ye, my young LADY," he said,
l know there's money in this house;
and k Rat YOU are alone. Show
me where TGoNANOney is If you don't
[ shall kill you, and then hunt it up
myself! Pm in earn and there
amt no time to waite. 20 fuss,
for if you do you'll feel this iclIp'
Bessie slirank back, ant, Ainto
the mans face, and she that
he meant just what he had So -
fiIf I show you where the mo- is
you VIII promise not to do me haf1IIs?''
"ShOw me honest, and I won't harm
YOU" :
"Then come with me. Rut you will
take only the money-yOu Won't take
my fathers papers ?''
"Only the money girl
Bessie led the way to a small bed
room on the ground floor, where there
was an old mahogany bureau, the up
per drawer OF which she unlocked. Inc
man, when he saw this, thinking,
doubtless, that Crawford's gold was
within his grasp, shut up his knife and
put it into his pocket. The girl opened
the drawer, and. quick as thought,
drew forth 9 " revOlver-one
with WlIIC1I% sIfSss efself had Killed a
trapped bear-and cooked it.
Villain!" she exclaimed, planting
her back against the wall, and aiming
the weapon at his bosom, many a
wild beast have shot with this good
pistol, and I'll now shoot you if you do
not instantly leave this house! I will
give you not a second! Start or [ fire ~
The ruffian could read human looks
as well as could the maiden, and he
could read very plainly in the firm-set
lips and in the flashing eyes-but more
clearly in the steady hand which held
the pistOl-that she would not only
fire, as she had promised, but her aim
would be sure and fatal one.
And he backed out from the bed
rOOm-backed into the sitting-room-
then leaped from the open window and
disappeared
Bessie kept her pistol by her side un-
til her father and his guests came
home, and when she had told her story
search was made for the ruffian. But
he was not found. Our heroine had so
thoroughly frightened him that he
never came that way again.