Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-10-11

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other defed all my efforts so tying the
animal to a tree, 1 determined to pro-
ceed on foot
al had hardly done so when l heard
the quick sound of horses feet along the
road. l stepped back in the shadow of
the tree, and looked in the direction
whence 1t proceeded.
Il could just discern the outlines of
two hOrsemen. who refined up within
few feet of the spot where | stood.
81 felt that the odds were greatly
against me, but was determined to sell
my life dearly.
! ~ shouldn't s'pOse his horse could
have taken him away any further,
said one of them, whose voice I instant
| ly recognized as that of my late host.
"'Hist Here is his horse, said the
other. as an impatient movement of the
animal betrayed his proximity.
"Just then the moon. emerging from
cloud, revealed my form distinctly as
stood with one finger on the trigger,
watching for the first CLEAN of light to
make my aim sure.
"The landlords eyes fell directly up
on me and with muttered curse he
snatched pistol from his belt. But he
was too late there was sharp whistle,
followed by dull, heavy sound, and
throwing his hands upward, fell forward
upon his horse.
Gas he fell. his pistol was discharg-
ed, to all appearances mortally wound
ing his companion who instantly drop
ped to the ground.
But it seems that this was merely a
feint for no sooner did he see that |
was off my guard than he fred. Fortu-
nately he aimed too high, and the ball
! sped harmlessly over my head.
81 sprang forward. and after a brief
struggle succeeded in disarming him.
Then perceiving that one of his knees
! was shattered, making escape impossi-
bic, left him and mounting the fine
i looking animal he rode | resumed my
journey.
1T was past midnight when l reach
ed A, and broad daylight when, ac-
cOmpanied by magistrate and posse
of constables, l returned to the scene of
my nights adventure.
, 1.-The landlord lay just as he had fall
en-, his pale face upturned to the rays
of the sun. The other villain had man.
: aged to crawl away, but was soon track
t ed and secured.
t 1--WE then went to the tavern. There
was no one in the house but the old wo-
E man who, though she seemed at first a
e little startled by our entrance. manifest
ed the most stolid indifference, even
/; when told the fate of her husband AS
5 she was believed to be accessory to his
: crimes. she was taken into custody.
ITO my surprise, little Kathie was
nowhere to be found. 1t was in vain
S that questioned the woman, endeaVOr-
f ing by alternate threats and bribes to
t obtain some clue to her fate; she main
tanned a sullen silence.
[ "They had all gone, but still lin
gered. thinking sadly of the dear child,
/ when was constrained to fear IN saving
t my life, had lost her own, when heard
| faint cry. put my ear to the foor
whence it seemed to proceed, and it was
? repeated. As quick as thought l remov.
: ed some straw that was lying on the
floor, revealing trap door. | lifted il
e up, and there in dark, damp. noisome
: hole was poor little Kathie, almost faint
= ing from terror.
my JOY in finding her you can vel
Y Imagine; and as for her, she clung t.
me as We cling to the only friend We
Y have.
5 "The man was tried and executed
e the woman turned states evidence. HI
confessed upon the scaffold to the mur
e der of number of travellers, among
e whom were Kathie's father.
t As soon as my little protege was abls
e to travel, | took her with me to th,
states. Though the idea of parting witt
> her was painful one, a sense of dut,
: induced me to write to her nearest NAL
relative, an uncle, residing in Ohio, stat
n ing what had ascertained in regard t
his brothers fate. and the singular prov
/ idenee which had given his little nice
Ie SO strong claim upon my love and pro
lection.
/ But he had large family of hi
v own and though be would have giyer
E. a home to his brothers child had SD
Ie stood in need Of it. upon learning th
| circumstances. be very willingly reln
b. quished her to ne
if ',Sbe has lived with me since, grow
Sc ing nearer and dearer to my heart ever
N day.
so you perceive" added my friend
t. in conclusion, that l did not spea
ir lightly when said that little Kathi
t. saved my life; and | have sometime
thought, he added. his expressive eys
at growing soft and misty as be sPOk
TO ''that she has done much toward maxim
n il worth the caring for nerer until