Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-26

"Scarce had she opened the m lon
when low growl from Trust caused b It'll
Mary and the nurse TO look auxi"u-iy
about Nothing, however, could they see
But the dog continued his uneasino~-.
"a moment more, and, to their horror
they beheld emerging from behind n cius
ter of lilac bushes, huge dark figure.
"Furiously Trust barked then. And
when the man, with quick and noiseless
step, approached the house, the faithful
creature, with bound, reached and
sprung upon the intruder. Another sec
ond and knife CLEANED in the moon
light.
Trust, off, off, sir Here here cried
Mary Terrified though she was. hel
thoughts were swift and bright, Another
instant and that sharp steel would reach
the faithful heart She must save hin
while there was any hope. or until th'
last moment.
GAS Trust, with continued gnIwls
drew off and stationed himself beside hi
mistress, the dreaded man approached
The hearts of both mistress and maiC
were appalled,. There was no mistakins
the truth. Watt Wolf, the outlaw, th'
house breaker and burner, the murderer
the robber, the terror of the State, stood
before them
with fiendish leer he looked on them
and asked:
"'Do you know me? Or shall intro
duce myselfT
with a powerful effort, Mary tried tt
conceal her terror, and answered:
"I never saw you before. | suppose
though, you are hungry, and want some
thing to eat
"'Hungry! yes, by i am; and
thirsty tool and under his breath he NUT
tered, thirsty for revengep
al will get you something to eat, Mary
said, starting to go in the house.
"'No, you are going to give the alarm
Oh, no, know you are alone alone, ha
You can gs. Your husband is off for the
night, and your servants all across tht
way. to party
"'You are right. But why should l be
alarmed ? am glad, always, to feed the
hungry, or help the needy. I never in
jured any one in my life. And you will
not harm any one who is kind to you
Shall L get the food p Mary answered
feiguing calmness, in order to delay hi:
intent, whatever it might be, hoping fol
some relief.
sob, she was a brave little woman And
glsncing in on her sleeping babes, he1
trembling heart grew stronger. And clasp
ing more firmly, and trying at the same
time to conceal the knife she had used to
cut the melon, she determined to sell her
life as dearly as possible.
"By one pretext and another, she de-
layed placing the food before him until he
demanded it quickly.
while he ate, his keen eyes were con-
tinually watching Mary and Cassie. No
tioins one of the formers hands were
concealed, he said:
"'What are you hiding there? Ha
knife What are you going to do with
it?
it when you came up
acing tone.
"She laid it on the table, beside the
fruit
AT length he had finished eating, aud
pushed back his chair. Then, for the first
time, Cassie's speech returned. She got
up, and approaching, said
"'Have piece of this melon? Can
cut come, please, ma'am :? she asked,
turning to Mary, and looking with eyes
that tod so much then
Certainly. take some, and give this
man some. But wait; let me cut nice
piece for Mr.. Southern first,' Mary an
swered. her heart gaining strength again
from one hope-to get possession of the
knife again.
Both held knives then, and both knew
the others intent.
"'You are cool, or want to make
out so. And you know that your husband
will not come to eat that. And now |
have not much time to spare. The ser
wants will be Coming soon. Now look at
me, ladies Watt Wolf!-bloody Watt.
at your service! Now, Madam, you will
come with me, and hand out your money
and jewelry. I'll get that before going
further" said the fend, approaching and
putting out his hand to take hold of
Mary.
"'Stand back = cried she. And retire It
ing step or two back, she held high the
knife. And Cassie sprang to her side aud
called:
"' Now Trust brave Trust ! Help
Us p
"They stood, the three, before him
They would fight to the de 18th, he knew.
He must change his movements Separate
them and he would conquer. He drew
forth pistol, and pointing it to the sleep.
lug boy. said
"'Unless you do as bid. III give that
young one long sleep. Now, what do
you say? Quick
"Hark A sound reaches their ears
Near and nearer it comes.
"'What's that p demanded the wretch
"'My husband Mary returned, naver
or an instant removing her eyes from the
outlaw.
".You lie he said, straining his ears
10 hear.
eyes, it was the CHATTER of horses
# the yard gate confirmed her joy and
lis dismay.
".Fool! to have stopped so loug Bat
his-to remember Watt Wolf by = aud |
lie fred the pistol which he held covering
he little Harry.
''An agonizing cry, and Mary fell faint
ng to the floor, rs the fend rushed !
through the house aud ont the back way |
Trust sprang after him. And Hurry |
southern, terrified by the report of the
'istol. dashed in to find bis wife lyln. APP
'srently dead before him.
sc ,ssie, in words scarcely iut,li,gible
rom terror, made him understand what
lad happened. Little Harry WIS., IN
urt, but awakened by the report of the
istol, which his mother had stSuck up
yard at the instant Wolf hsd pulled the
rigger, thus saving the child.
"Restoratiyes applied, Mary soon was
obbing with Joy on her husbands bosom.
"He told her that when be started to
1lfill his engagement, he WIS irresistibly
rawn homeward. So deeply was he i'm
ressed to hasten, that he could not stop
ven to send an excuse.
"For,' he continued, II could continual
r hear imagine, of courss-Harry c4ll.
lg me. And Sport. too, seemed to have
aught my humor. for he almost flew
ome.'
"'What time was it, Harry, when you
rst felt SOP Mary asked.
asa few moments after seven What