The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-16
Selert Storp.
A RIDE FOR LIFE.
BY CARLOS DUCELLo.

BY CARLOS DUCELLo.
Twas a bitter cold evening in the win.
ter of 1874, as Harry Enton, an enter
pTising and wealthy young man, was
travelling on horseback toward the small
town of c.. On his person he car
ried q very valuable collection of pre-
cious stones, with which he intended TO
increase his stock, being the proprietor
of very large jewelry establishment in
the town above mentioned
At the time our story begins, the coun-
try through which Mr. Enton was trav-
cling was infested by a desperate band
of highwaymen and robbers, who were
continually committing their depreda.
tions and robberies, and as yet had man.
aged to escape detection and capture
Mr.. Enton had been advised by his
friends to postpone his journey until the
following day,as they considered it dam
gerous to travel over such an unfrequen.
ted road after dark, but Harry determin.
ed to attempt it that night, as he had bu'
siness ofthe utmost Importance to trans
act on the morrow. ,..,.. wolf.
AS darkness approached, Harry drew
his revolver from his belt, and, drawing
tight rein on his horse, rode carefully
and as rapidly forward as the increasing
darkness would permit, in the meantime
on the alert for danger. e5 $50 .e.
He had passed over nearly one-half
the distance to his destination, and was
already congratulasag himself upon a
speedy termination to his ride, when he
was suddenly startled and alarmed by
catching glimpse of some dark object
gliding across the road and vanishing in
the darkness, and by a. shrill whistle
which echoed and re echoed through the
forest. He grasped his weapon with q
determined grip, and, urging his horse
onward, dashed through the forest at a
full gallop, hoping, by thus increasing
his speed, to evade the highway robbers,
if such they proved to be. He had not
proceeded in this manner more than
three hundred yards, when his horse was
suddenly thrown back on his launches
and revolver's cold steel muzzle thrust
against his head by tall robber, whose
face was concealed under black mask,
and who cried out in hoarse voice:
"Your valuables, young man, or your
life." -
"Take that" shouted Harry,as he dis
charged his revolver full in the face Of
the daring robber, who, giving utterance
to shrek, fell back corpse.
Digging his spurs into his horses
sides, Harry again dashed away at full
speed. Suddenly he perceived light
ahead of him, which, on closer inspec
ton, proved to be lantern, and by the
aid Of which he dIscerned through the
deepening gloom the outlines of -four
villainous loaking men, directly in-his
path, with uplifted rifles leveled at him
while the largest of the villains, who
from his actions, appeared to be the
chief, greeted Harry with a shout Of
"Hold, OF die"
Harry instantly checked the speed o.
his horse, and puzzled whether to retrea
or dash forward at full gallop, and rur
the risk Of being shot down by the rob
bers, at last decided to adopt the latter
plan, and giving spurs to his horse, ht
gave yell and sprang forward.
The four highwaymen discharged
their rifles simultaneously, but owing to
the darkness their bullets hurtled harm
lessly past Harry's head, with the excep
ton of one, which severed lock of hi:
hair. Harry then discharged his revol
Ger as he approached the robbers, ant
owing to the aid of the light succeeded
in hitting the chief, who gave yell o
agony, threw up his arms and fell lifeles!
TO the ground. o2a }--aJ! 40
The remaining robbers, not having
time to load their rifles, one of then
sprang forward and endeavored to grasl
the bride of our hero's horse, but Harr,
dealt the ruflian a terrible blow on tn,
head that placed him hors dw combat
while the remaining two robbers were lef
far in the rear. af aaa.t e -
Having escaped from his enemies, ,Har
ry allowed his horse to walk, while he re
loaded his weapon.
He had proceeded steadily onward 70
nearly half an hour, when suddenly b
heard sounds of pursuit in the rear Tur
ming rapidly he again deserted the lanter
carried by ruffian, who with his campan
ion were mounted on thoroughbreds, an
were approaching at full speed. Agai
Harry tried the mettle of his noble steed
and dashed away at terrific pace. a
On he went, the shrubbery and fores
trees gliding past like the wind, but still
his pursuers gained upon him, his steed
owing to the exertions he had passed S
triumphantly through, beginning to los
ground. .sE 'uaf5 Ri,tqlahHgfag
| Knowing that he must either fight O
desert his horse, Harry turned in his sac
die and confronted the approaching higl
waymen with his revolver, which he dis
charged at the foremost robber, VIII
threw up his arms and dropped from tn
saddle. His companion in crime di:
charged his weapon with such unerrin
precision that, in spite Of the darkness:
Harry's right arm dropped helplessly t
his side, but before the robber could turl
to escape Harry had grasped his revolve
in his left hand, which fortunately he di
not drop, and emptied the contents in tn
body Of the robber, who, strange to say
did not appear to be mortally injured, bu
Harry sprang forward and dealt him
stunning blow in the face with the butt {
his revolver tina. stretched him insensbl
to the earth. 5s.U sS
Harry resumed his journey, and on tn
following morning arrived safely at hi
destination, where he was welcomed b
his family, and congratulated upon th
fortunate termination of his adventure.
------->@p<---
Rubber jewelry is again fashionable.
A ladies' bowling ALLEY is one OF th
new features at Long Branch.
"Kissing your sweetheart" says tr
fling young man, sis like eating sou
with fork it takes long time to g
enough" ID.
"Who was the meekest man p aske
) Sundry School teacher "Moses. y
VERY well ; who was the meekest wt
man p Never was any,
Be not deceived many Of the hant
. cnuoct uhito nI.a no clio ulc cold nc Hb