Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-23
mounting old Hero, was soon out Of

sight.
'.Mighty fine chap, that Gilbert Ia,
resumed Hill to his fellow loungers
"been In the army and won his way
| an now he has got his allotment Of
land out here, an will soon have one OF
the finest farms nsthis country"
| The short autumn day came to a
close, and it was long after dark ere
Gilbert reached his destination, and re
ceiyed his usual hearty welcome from
Sarah Denton. +
Saturday nights were the bright spots
| in her life as a schoolmistress, and were
sure to bring her Charley. Old Hero
had carried his master over the road
so often, that he knew just what was
required of him, aud needed no urging
1t was late when Charley took bis
leave of his sweetheart.
| 'Now, do be careful" were her last
words, "for you know there might he
danger on the road, SO many robberies
have been committed lately"
"Never fear, Sarah !; old Hero will
take me home safely"
And, with a goodbye kiss, he mount
ed and rode away.
The night was dark-no light except
the stars that spaxkled crisPly from g
clear sky. But had it been ever 60
dark, 1t would have made no di1arance
to Charley. His thoughts were Of the
] sweet girl he had just Left and paying
no attention to his horse, he rode dow
" along, intent upon plans for the fh-
ture.
sThe money have received to day
will enable nae to complete nay homes;
! then Sarah viii be my wife, and we
| shall live ON the farm such happy
| life" be mused
A long, dark patch Of forest loom
| cd ahead, through which the prairie
| road ran, aud not until he had entered
! it's dark shadows did the horseman
arouse from his blissful revefie.
"What if I should be ettaeksd r
thought he. 81 have nothing to defend
me, aud enough money to make it q
good haul for such gentry. Humbug
I don't believe there is any danger
"Halt!"
And two dark forms sprang into the
road, seized his bride. and the steely
glitter Of pistols leyeled at him, within
q few feet of his breast, startled him.
Like fash, his good right arm
struck the weapon from the hand OF
the robber, and fell heavily upon the
shoulder of the fellow; and with a
sudden jerk of the powerful arm he
was hauled over the saddle-bow, while
old Hero, in response to dig Of the
spur, sprang away, jerking the other
robber of his feet, and causing his
bullet to spread wide of its intended
victim.
/ On through the gloomy woods, and
out again upon the open prairie, dashed
the horse with his double burden,
while the robber struggled like child
in the powerful grasp Of his captor.
!. A closing of the fingers over his neck
soon reduced him to quiet; and, held
in this manner, he rode an unwilling
captive. and, at last, the lights Of Ober-
/ vile appeared, and soon they were in
the village. At word from his mas
ter, Hero stopped in front of the post
Office, from the window of which q
CHEEKY light shone, denoting that the
assistants we're still busy replacing the
goods that had been takon down during
the days traffic.
sHllloa!" cried Gilbert.
i A head Appeared at the door, and
voice answered, "Hilloa! Who's
there :"
otis me John, and have got some.
thing nice here come help me in with
it," answered Charley.
otis Gilbert" said John, addressing
his fellow-shopnnan. "What'e that
you've got, Charleys a saddle of ven
isons" asked John as he approached.
ssBetter than that John. 1t is a red!
1--we little deer Come and lift him
down, but hold him fast" said Gilbert.
! The astonishcd shopmen gathered
about, and Charley told them Of his
adventure. Soon the robber was re-
leased from his unpleasant position on
the saddle and taken into the store,
where his captor followed.
| Here he was safely bound.
i II think I have seen this fellow be.
fore, remarked John, as he took q
survey Of the captive. ale is the
stranger that was sitting ct the stove
, here when Mr.. Harmon paid your
money, Charley"
"Let's search him, and see what sort
Of plumber he has about bin" suggested
one of the shopmen.
The prisoners pockets revealed q
. small flask Of liquor, pack Of cards,
n some little money, and a savage-looks