The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-07-17

as IL forced its way through the crevices o
the closed window, accompanied by inces
SAINT flashes OF lightning, while the partia
gloom of the room cast fearful pallor over tn
whole scene.
"Where is ir..5 where is il /? 4" exclaimed Lon,
and Birch both in one breath, before the word
we're scarcely out of Royces mouth.
about forty miles from here" answered.
Royce, ''in the northwest corner OF Knox, OF
the edge OF Marion county, there lives an ole
Jersey farmer, by the name OF Wilborne. HI
is good pious old fellow, never fastens the
doors, and thinks everybody is as honeat az he
is. There will not, therefore, be much danger
in easing him OF the spare cash he has on hand
which amounts to the sum just told you, il
not more. so, boys, what do you say for de-
scent upon old Wilborne ?"
"Go in for il at once" said Long, ''and now
let's 60 to bed. or there will not be much more
OF the night left to take sleep in, and we
must be off early in the morning."
Dandy Birch gave his token OF assent. by
again twlrling his watch chain, and all three
were soon afterwards provided with beds by
the accommodating landlord. The storm con-
tinued 10 pour down in its fury for the remain
der OF the night, but the human guilt under
Van Sickle's roof slept as sound as conscious
innocence. In the morning the shower had
turned into settled rain, but Long and Birch
after hasty breakfast, set out through the
wet to reconnoitre the premises OF the old
farmer, with the understanding that Norton
b; Royce should soon follow them.
few evenings after this, the moon ehone
brightly down on scene Of peace in Knox
Co.. which would have touched the heart of
any one less than fiend, and awakened it 10
the beauty of domestic happiness, hallowed by
virtue, even though that heart might have
been scared with vice as with a hot-iron -
There was small dwelling fanked on one side
by spacious earn with hay stacks adjoining,
under the shadows OF which goodly number
OF cattle we're reposing IN the rear there was
a large field that was crowded with the tall
green stalks OF the corn. which were Just
bursting their slken fringe, to reveal the rich
burden OF their ripening fruit The donee for
est bounded in the corn-feld, and on all, the
bright beams OF the moon fell softly and
calmly. like smile from Heaven beaming on
the face OF the earth. Within, the scene wac
equally peaceful. comely matron had just
removed the last dish from the supper table,
and arranged the disorder OF the room. conse-
quent upon the partaklng OF the evening meal,
had seated herself in a chair beside sunburnt
man whose frame was muscular and we'll knit
together; whose features were regular and
mud In their expression. and whose tender
glances, as he cast them now and then on his
told at once that he was her hus-
band. Both were about the middle age OF life
and in the apartment with them, four men,
whose dress and appearance. bespoke them to
be itlnerant clergymeu OF the Methodist
Church, we're also seated. The silence which
had continued for some few moments after the
supper was removed, was broken by one OF the
clergymen remarking that it was the hour for
repose. and proposing that the evening devo-
tons should be held. Farmer Wilborne. for il
was his home III Knox Co., that we have been
assented. and the voice or
prayer was soon heard to rise from that hum
Die roof in the wilderness, and float out
through the open window on the evening
lir.
At this moment. gliding through tue high
Ind thick stalks OF the corn-feld, might be
ieen the figure Of man approaching the
house. II was John Long. the Wolf OF the
prairies. Creeping like snake, with his head
,owed beneath the long green leaves. he adj
1anced to the window and looked into it. The
vorshipers at the farm were too wrapt up IN
heir devotions to heed the shadow which dark
ned the window n moment and then was
zone. Long, however, by this brief glance.
lad taken in the whole scene, but the only ef-
ect it had upon him was to make him mutter
o himself an inaudible curse OF Impatience, as
le returned few steps and stood again in the
hadow OF the corn. field, awaiting the termn
tion OF an act OF worship which while he re-
pected it not. he was 10th to disturb, The
men at length sounded on his ear, and soon
he lights wero extngulshed and he knew
hat the family had retired to rest Again he
pproached the house; but now towards the |
ront door where, listening for moment, he /
aised the latch gently and noiselessly, and
ound that Royce had spoken the truth. The
oor opened without the least resistance, and |
was true that Farmer Wilborne looking for
% dishonesty in the world, and least of all, in |
nat primitive country to which ne had emi-
rated from Jersey, left his door open to all of
ne world by night as well as by day. Long
ad thus gained one point OF information for
1hich he had come to the house to reconnoitre /
,ut another remained which he could only gain |
v an interview with the master of the house. /
Though his original plan OF arousing the fam
v, after he bad discovered how the door stood /
ith regard to fastenings. and of claiming
lelter for the night in order to discover the /
,cahties Of tire house, was now somewhat
by the presence Of other guests. he
al resolved TO carry 1t through. and trust to
le farmea's answers, and what he could see
he he was talking, for all the information
e wanted. lie, therefore. as cautiously as he
ld raised, let the latch fall again. and then
knocked for admittance. Farmer
1lborne, like all hale and honest men. silent
'undly. and his example seemed to be follow
| by the rest of the household. for il was not
ntil Eong had gwen several hard blows. that
le vile started up, aud shaking her husband
I'D him there was some one at the door
armer Wilborne Immediately rose with great