Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-05-19
finest farms in this county"

SlooSt anu ~ " 90 iS'SD ''N' '"'N Si>
Charley Gilbert reached his destina-
ton, and received his usual hearty
welcome from Sadie Delong,
Saturday nights were the bright
spots in her dull life as a schoolmarm,
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 and needed
no urging,
1t was near Sabbath morning when
Charley took his leave Of his sweet
heart.
"Now, Go he careful Charley were
her last words, ''for you know there
might be danger on the road, so
many robberies have been committed
lately"
Never fear, Sadie old Hero will
take me home safely"
And, with goodbye kiss, he
mounted and rode away.
The night was dark-no light eN-
cept that sparkled crisply from a clear
sky. But, had it been ever so dark,
it would have made no difleence to
Charley. His thoughts were Of the
sweet Girl he had just left, ano paying
no attention to his horse, he rode
slowly along, intent upcn plans for the
future.
"The money have received to- day
will enable me to complete my home ;
then Sadie will be my wife, and we
will live on the farm such happy life
he mused.
A long, dark patch of timber loomed
ahead, through which the prarie road
ran, and not till he entered the dark
shadows did Charley awaken from his
blissful reverie.
Robbers I! Yes, something had been
said about robbe.'s, and this was the
darkest, loneliest part of the road
"NVhat if should be attacked p
thought he 81 have nothing to de-
fend me, and enough money to make
it a good haul for such gentry. Hum
bug don't believe there is any dan
ger"
"Halt !"
And two dark forms sprang into
the road, seized his bride, and the
steely glitter of pistols leveled at him
with in few feet of his breast, startled
him.
Like flash his good right arm
struck the weapon from the hand OF
the robber, and fell heavily upon the
shoulder cf the fellow, and with sud
den jerk of the powerful arm he W as
hauled over the saddle bow as help
less as a bag of meal, while old Hero,
in response to dig Of the spur sprang
away, jerking the other robber off his
feet and causing his bullet to speed
wide of its intended victim.
On through the gloomy woods, and
out again upon the open prarie 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 the neck
of the culprit soon reduced him to
quiet, and held in this manner, he
rode an unwilling captive, until, at
last, the lights Of Oberville appeared,
and soon they were in the village. At
a word from his master, Hero stop
ped in front of the post Office, from the
window of which a CHEEKY light shone
denoting that the clerks were still
busy replacing the goods that had
been torn down during the days traf:
fc.
"Halloa y called Gilbert.
A head appeared at the door, and a
voice answered
"Halloa ! Who's there ?"
OTIS me, John, and | have got some
thing nice here ;come help me in with
IT." answered Charley.
'1t's Gilbert" said John, address,
ing his fellow clerks. "What's
that you've got said Charley ? a sad
die of venison ?" asked John as he ap-
preached.
Better than that John. 1t is a
real live little deer. Come and lift
him down but hold him fast" said
Gilbert.
The astonished clerks gathered
around, and Charley told them of his
adventure, and soon the robber was
released from his unpleasant position
on the saddle, and taken into the store