St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1875-11-19
ST. JOIINSBURY. VT. FRIDAY. NOV. 49, 1875

Il had hardly done so when | hear,
the quick sound of horses feet alon
the road. stepped back in the Shadoy
of the tree. and looked in the direction
whence ii proceeded.
. Il could just discern the outlines q
two hoIScmen. who reined up within
few feet of the spot where | stood
Il felt that the odds were greatl,
against me. but was determined t,
sell my life dearly.
~ shouldn't S'poSc his horse coul,
have taken him AWAY amy further sail
one at them. whose voice | Instant,
recognized aS that of my late host.
''iiSt Here is his horse said tn,
other. aS an impatient movement o
the animal betrayed his proximity.
Just then the moon, emerging from
il cloud, revealed my form distinctly Il.
| stood with one finger on the trigger
watching for the first gleam of light t,
make my aim sure.
The landlords eyes fell directly up
on me and with Il muttered curse he
snatched IL pistol from his belt But he
was too late; there was a sharp whistle
followed 10y IL dull. heavy sound, and
throwing his hands upward, he fell for
ward upon his horse. -
AS he fell. his pistol was discharged,
to all appearances mortally wounding
his companion who Instantly dropped
to the ground.
But it seems that this was merely Il
fcint for no sooner did he see that
WAS of my guard than he fired. For
tnnatcly he aimed too high. and the
ball sped harmlcsSly over my head.
Il Sprang forward. and after a briet
struggle succeeded in disarming him.
Then percelvimg that one of his knees
WAS shattered. making escape impoSsi-
ble. left him. and mounting the fine
looking animal he rode. | resumed my
journey.
''lt WAS past midnight when reach
ed A., and broad daylight when.
accompanied 10y IL magistrate and Il
posse of coustahlcS | returned To the
scene of my nights adventure.
"Ihe landlord lay just as he had
fallen. his pale face upturmed To the
rays of the sun. The other villain had
managed t" crawl away, hut was soon
tracked and discovered.
We then went To the tavern. There.
WAS II" one in the house but the old
woman who, though she seemed at first
Il little startled 10y our entrances, mani
Tested the most >tulid indifference. even
when Told the fate of her husband. As
she was believed to Ice an accessory to
his crimes. she WAS taken int" custody
IF" my surprise little kathc was
that questioned the " oman. cndeaVor-
4, 81,
obtain some clue t" her fate: she main
tanned Il >ullcn silence.
'IhcN had all gone. but still lingrr-
ed. thinking sadly of the dear child
whom ! WAS constrained to fear in SAY
img my life. had lost her own. " hen
heard Il faint cry. put my caI To the
floor whence il seemed to proceed, and
II WAS repeated. A> quick a> thought
| removed some straw. that Was ly ing
"u the floor, revealing Il trap door.
lifted ii up. aud there in Il dark. damp.
u"ls"mr hole WAS poor little Kathir.
almost i;ilnting from terror.
My JOY in finding her Nou can well
imagine: and ;IS ioI her she clung to
me as We cling To the "ml y friend We
have.
''Ihr man Wa> tried and executed :
the woman turned states evidence. lie
confessed upon the >cntfold lo the mrlr-
der of Il number of travellers. among
whom WAS kathic'> father
~ soon a> my little pI"tcgr WAS
able To travel. | took her with me to
the States. Though the idea of part
in" with her Was u painful one. u ~cn>e
al duty induced me To write to her
nearest male relative. an uncle. rceidin"
in Ohio. stating what had a>ccrtaimrd
i'll regard to his hlnthcr'> tate. and the
singular prov idcnrc which had given
his little niece :" strong Il claim upon
my love and prntcctIun.
But hr had large family of his
own: and though h, would have given
Il home to his hInthrI'> child had she
stood i'll need of it. upon learning the
circumstances. he very willingly re
liuqui>hcd her tn me.
''Nhc has lived with me since. grow
ing nc;ucr and dcaIcI To my heart
every day.
$50 l"u PERCEIVE" added my friend.
in cnnclu>I"n. that did NOT speak
lightly when | said that little Ka1hie
saved my life: and have sometimes
thought" he added. his expressive eyes
growing soft and misty as he spoke.
''lhai she has done much toward max
iug it worth the saving: for never until
felt the clin%ing of hcr little arms
about my neck. did | realize the full
import of those holy words. OF such is
the Kingdom of Heaven.
And aS | looked upon him and
thought of the one great sorrow that
had hardened his youth. tuning to bit
tcrnc>S the sweet spring of domestic
affection. and the life he had led since.
so calculated To draw out the harShcr
and StrIncr part of his nature. thanked
God for the angel He had sent to him
in he form of Il little child