Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-05-14
IN, NJ l. Number
THE SMUGGLER,S LAST
TRIP.

!. THE SMUGGLER,S LAST
| TRIP.
BY PAUL PLUME.
Not very great defiance outside th,
OLD walled town of Saafcld, the roal
ABRUPTLY turns from the banks Of Saale
|and begins to ascend the central ridge O.
lthe Thuringerwald. A few huts used K
Ioe upon the spot, but they have all disap
peared now. The occupants, who wer,
[popuiar!y supposed to be woodchoppers
lived there With their families. But twas
very little woodchopping they did. being
more disposed to carry on the business Of
Smuggling across the frontier. The occu
lpation was dangerous one, for soldiers
were constantly moving over the noun
tam and forest to prevent smugglers from
'Idefrauding the Saxon Government; ye,
|such was the dexterity of the lawlcss
woodchopper, that it was rarely they were
! lIapprehended. A good nights venture
would enable ono Of these fellows to live
for months without turning his hand ia
work.
1t was dark evening in winter when
Jacob Krone ertered his hut and bade his
daughter prepare to follow him.
whittier do we go. father?' faltered the
lgirl. getting ready to obey the command.
What is that to your replied Krone.
Women are always asking such silly
Questions, Come, hurry. suppose your
mother won't return for couple Of hours?
Well, she'll know where you have gone
Martha Krone would much have pre-
ferred remaining at home that night, for
young Frederick Anker, the best looking
fellow in the nelghborhood, was coming
to see her, and Martha was pretty we'll
satisfied that Frederick was in love with
her.
However much she might desire to RI
main by her dreside that evening, she
knew it was useless to expect it, for when
Jacob Krone commanded, every member
of his family had to obey without ques-
ton or murmur. Fifteen years. service as
. soldier had made him imperious and
Iquick- and he learned lessons
when he carried q musket, tina: he had
never forgot; and not the least of these
was to obey bllnd'y. and quickly too, or
punishment would be speedy and severe.
Martha knew the temper of her father
too well not to be dlligcnt in everything
she undertook. He was q man who ex-
pected and made women do their fair
share of work. This work was sometimes
90 heavy that it taxed female endurance
to the uttermost But what of that he
would say, must We not oil bear burdens?
Can we expect to go through the world
dressed like butterflies and idle as doness
That might do for the kings court, but i,
wouldn't answer for poor folks
Come, follow me, he said, as he stepp-
led outside the door.
Martha had envcloped herself in some
warm clothing, and had found time to
whisper word to her younger sister. Il
was message to Fred Anker, when he
should come that evening.
The wind blew intensely cold as they
set out, and the higher they ascended the
hills. the keener cane the blast. Snow
flakes, too. began to fall, and altogether
the night promised to be bad one.
Martha trudged by her fathers side,
never speaking unless he addressed her.
She had no need to inquire whittier they
were going, for she was too well accus-
toned to these adventures to have any
doubt upon the matter. They walked in
silence along the unfrequented mountain
path, and climbed with difficulty the
rocky places.
Lay hold of my belt,' commanded her
father. in a low voice, as they came to a
difficult piece of road. He spoke in a
|subdued tone, for he was apprehenslve
lest the guards might be lurking in the
numerous caverns that were in tie noun
Itains, and take him prisoner.
The girl trembling with cold and fear,
lobeyed her rough conductor, and they
reached spot of table land, where they
paused to take breath.
'HoId!' whispered Krone, suddenly; do
you hear spythlngi Listen! believe in
|my soul those were mems voices
Martha bent her head to listen. 'No!'
she replied, "tw but tho wind bowling
through the pines, and sad enough it
|sounda'
Her father, however, Was not satisfied.
Stand still,' he coniinved. listen. now.
Surely ! hear footsteps, and quite plainly,
Itoo.'
NO, father, answered Martha, tits the
lice bursting in the chasm and falling up
lon the rocks. Oh. 'tis very cold!'
Krone paid NO heed to tho last remark,
|but put his ear low to the ground and
listened. Presently he said, Come on
For vhils the road Wa smooth. but
|aflsrward It began to grow didicult, for|
the rocks were 81 abrupt
Jacob Krone pulled his daughter close
10 his side and said: W, sGia y q
"6hould any misfortune befall me tot
might, tell your mother che must not give
|up the businsesL I have made 1t very
|peo6tAhls, and ] should not do easvif Il
|believsd It would drop with my life YOU
are old enough now 70 lead > hand, and|
Ernest viii soon be gsUwing up 70 assist
you. You all can carry II on we'll enough
y sAoolo tbinK. '..g y Ysa5s vFnn sf
Martha felt . gloom sleal over henssi
her fathers words sounded IKE IN omen
Aftefawhils they reached ~ opsn space.
Dask asit was, thsy could perceivs theyI
had overcoms the worst di1leuldes Of thsI
eoad.
I jacob took ~ dausht9 ~ ths hand.
end I'D hse 70 cave h the rock nsas b.
We ass DOW On the frostise, - seld.
'Yoa1eg stSy Aebe ypu w1d cgl1 Pol
n. - 49, Nls,ev XAesesS anA h nnfntadl