The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-08

placently upon bus broad. level meadows wav-
ing with inciplent abundance to the gentle
breeze, the aged housewife reflected serenely
upon the little tribes of her household cares
and tho good preacher, sharing the sentiment
OF calm which spread itself throughout the mel
low air and ghttering sky now and then gave
dignity 10 their thoughts by reminding them oil
the gratitude they owed for the blessings which
surrounded them on every side. 1t was pic
trre OF repose and peace that had Io blur, and
IN which the tooth OF fear or dagger seemed to
have nc power OF intrusion. But within few
Yards distance and gazing upon the contented
group as wolves glare upon their prey, lay the
three robbers underneath 4 hedge silently
waiting for the hour OF the family retirement,
and framing in whispers, the method OF their
depreciation. st length the moon, which was
yet young, sunk to its decline and the length
ening shadows and coming chill warned the
aged watchers within. The door was closed and
the shutters drawn, and soon all was hushed
in absolute repose. After waiting quitely for
au hour the robbers judging the inmates were
asleep, ross from their lar and advanced to
consummate their purpose. The fastenings Of
the dwelling made but slight resistance TO their
arts, and soon the depredators stood within
the chamber OF the aged pair. The Old couple
were aroused at the entrance OF the robbers in
their room, but before they could exclaim,
Birch advanced TO the bed with a pistol, and
threatened them with instant death il they
made any resistance OF gave tie least alarm.
Fox simultaneously stepped to a side door
ready 10 prevent any person who might be
sleepinS n the upper adjoining looms from
coming to the.r assistance, while John long,
protected by bis comrades, held dark latern,
acted as speaker or the adventure.
What does al this mean, my good friends:
ea,d Strawn in 4 tremulous voice. "N hat 90
YOU want =
eve waCt your money" SAID Long, harshly,
I've want your money, or we will XII you both.
and tot the house On dra.
GAN have i at your service. gentlemen
SAID tie old man, perceiving the folly OF resist
ance. You'll find It in the upper drawer Of
the bureau over there
''ihs Is not al :" sad Long sternly. after
searching the bureau. Here Is but one hun
dred dolar2 in cash. only as much more in ca
nal scrip, while these two old silver watches
are good sor little or nothing. This will not
pay us for our trouble
81 Ia all have" said Mr.. Strawp IL you kill
me YOU VII, not ind any more
''Wel!. we won't take your word Tor it" said
the Prairie Wolfe; wed look little further.
Who lodges n the next room 2"
"a poor clergyman" answered Mr.. Strawn,
''Wbo cannot have much money with him.
hope your let him pass
''h preacher:" said Long CONTEMPORARY
''on. We can give him 4 passport TO heaven
without Any danger to his soul. What say you
boys, shall we stop his sermonizing for the
preserti" Saying which, lie entered the cham
Der and tTirg the hands OF the afrghted De-
mimic behind his back. riAed him Of his silver
watch and some fifteen dollars. his entire store
Leaving him then TO find consolation IN the
precepts or his faith. be took Fox with him
aad rapsacked the entire house. Nothing more
10 the pixie way was found, however and be-
ing satisfied that their Job was now at an end,
the gave parting caution to the old people
not 10 venture to institute pursuit against
them. ~ their peril, and made squick retreat
BeperrtLZ according 70 custom. on the per-
forman.e CT an exploit, hepustical trio greed
TO meet y Rccl stand, and ID . week after We
find the, engaged in the robbery OF the Jaw
Office CT KNOX s.. Dewey. .. that place, Of an
amount OF 80 hU4orel and forty dollars. De-
-sceno,-g thence By steamboat. Fox and B.rch
arrived n Naryco on the I'D OF June. an
placed themselves at tho Erection Of Long a.
the command OF Amos Hodges, % undertak
measures II beual- o. the two convicted broth
or. Lorg himself remained ia Rock Island to
meet John Baxter. ana 10 make a,uap cement:
TO carry the robbery o. Co!. Davenport into
immediate execution. This was Of course to
he doe with the all CT Las two prime conieder-
utes who were advised 20 hold themselves il
readIcess 10 respond TO nia Iequisltion when
ever LIE -lould cal upon tham.
But Fox snl Birch came too late to he OF Inc
service to the Hodges, winch had been wanting
on the night OF the death OF Erwin. The hopes
Of a rescue was past. and Amos plainly told
them, sad somewhat in the tone Of reproach,
that nothing now would serve but raise" OF
money 10 the extent Of two or three thousand
dollars, 70 enable them to grease the hinges o:
AUTHORITY. and let the prisoners out, in the way
OF an escape. The two brigands confessed
Their negligence. but qualified it with apologies,
and offered to make amerds by undertaking
any Job Of profit that might be laid out for
them, in the way OF late amends. In sht 1t,
they offered to devote themselves gratis to any
enterprise that could be presented to them,
and 90 give the proceeds as a sort OF compll-
meDtary benefit to the candidates for the scat
fold. This soitened the worthy Mormon elder
somewhat and he al at once sank into brown
etudy, as IL he were conjurng job After a
pause OF a few moments he raised his head
aud informed the benevolent gentlemen be had
b upon an enterprise. which would prove az
o xcellent one If properly carried out, but one
O. which, unfortunately, he could not possibly
Dnyage himself.
"It it Is 70 good, why not Z" said Birch.
"EJr two reasons" said Amos FIRST it il
IL this city, where ana too well known; and
u ,xt, 1t is upon the store Of one OF my broth
ofs IN the Mormon church"
Il think you might get over the second OIL
lection II you could dispense with the first,
sah Fox drlly.