The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-08-18
tSdonbtless owed its name.

be unable to proceed fUFther. Suspect
ing some treachery, dismounted.
The sky had partially cleared, and
the moon had risen, but she gave only
a ftful light, and had now entirely
disappeared under a cloud. But strik-
ing a match l discovered that two.
sharp pebbles had been skillfully in
serted into the bone. | succeeded in
dislodging one, but the other defed
all my efforts; SO tying the animal to
tree, determined to proceed on
foot.
had hardly done so when l heard
the quick sound of horses feet along
the road. | stepped back in the shad-
ow of the tree, and looked in the di-
rection whence it proceeded.
| could just discern the outlines of
two horsemen, who reined up within
few feet of the spot where l stood.
felt that the odds were greatly
against me, but | resolved to sell my
life dearly.
81 shouldn't s'pose his horse could
have taken him away any further"
said one of them, whose voice / in
stantly 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 emerged
from cloud, revealing my form dis.
tinctly, as stood, with one finger on
the trigger, and 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 a sharp
| whistle, followed by dull heavy
sound, and throwing his hands up
ward, he fell forward upon his horse.
AS he fell, his pistol, which was at
half cock, was discharged, to all ap-
pearances mortally wounding his com
panion, who dropped instantly to the
ground.
But it seemed that this was merely
a feint, for no sooner did he see that l
was off my guard than he fred. For
tunately he aimed too high, and the
ball passed harmlessly over my head.
sprang forward, and after brief
struggle, succeeded in disarming him.
Then perceiving that the bone of his
knee was shattered, making his escape
impossible, left him, and mounting
the fine looking animal he rode, l re-
sumed my journey.
1t was past midnight when l reached
A and broad daylight when ac-
companied by magistrate, posse of
constables and several of the villagers,
l returned to the scene of my nights
adventure.
The landlord lay just as he had fall
en-, his pale face turned up to the rays
of the rising sun. The other villain
had managed to crawl away, but was
soon tracked and secured.
We then went in body to the tav-
ern. There was no one in the house
but the old woman, who though she
seemed a little startled at 6rst by our
entrance, manifested the most stolid
indifference, even when told of the
fate of her husband. As she was be-
lieved to be accessory to his crimes
she was taken into custody.
To my surprise and astonishment,
little Kathie was nowhere to be found.
1t was in vain that l questioned the
woman, endeavoring by alternate
bribes and threats to obtain some clew
to her fate; she returned sullen ST.
lence.
They had all gone, but still linger-
ed, thinking sadly of the dear child,
whom was constrained to fear, in
saving my life, had lost her own, when
1 heard faint cry.
put my ear to the floor, whence it
seemed to proceed, and it was repeated.
As quick as thought l removed some
straw revealing trap door. lifted
it up, and there in a dark, damp,
noisome hole, was poor little Kathie,
almost faint with terror.
My Joy in finding her you can well
imagine; and as for her, she clung to
me as we cling to the only friend we
have.
The man was tried and executed,
the woman turning States evidence.
He confessed upon the scaffold to the
murder of a number of travellers,
among whom was Kathie's father.
As soon as my little portege was
able. to travel, l took her with me TO
the States.
Though the very idea of parting
with her was a painful one, sense of
duty induced me to write to her near
est male relative, an uncle residing in
Ohio, stating what | had ascertained