The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-04-09
The SMUGGLER'S LAST TRIP.
BY PAUL PLUME.

OF the Saale, and begins to ascend
the central ridge Of the Thuringer-
wald. A few huts used to be upon
the spot, but they have all disap-
peared now. The occupants, who
were popularity supposed to be wood.
choppers, lived there with their fam.
lilies. But twas very little wood
chopping they did, being more dis
posed to carry on the business oi
smuggling across the frontier The
occupation was a dangerous one, fol
soldiers were constantly moving oven
the mountain and forest to prevent
smugglers from defrauding the Saxon
Government; yet such was the dex-
terity of the lawless wood-choppers,
that it was rarely they were APP
pretended. A good nights venture
would enable one of these fellows to
live for months without turning his
hand to work.
It was a dark evening in Winter,
when Jacob Krone entered his hut
and bade his daughter prepare to fol-
low him.
"Whither do we 60, father?" fall
tered the girl, getting ready to obey
the command.
"What is that to your" replied
Krone. women are always asking
such silly questions, Come, hurry.
I suppose your mother won't return
for couple Of hours? Well, she'll
know where you have gone.
Martha Krone would much have
preferred remaining at home that
night, for young Frederick Anker,
the best looking fellow in the neigh
borhood, 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
remain by her freside that evening,
she knew it was useless to expect it,
for when Jacob Krone commanded
every member Of his family had to
obey without question or murmur.
Fifteen years service as a soldier had
made him imperious and quick
tempered, and he learned lessons
when he carried musket, that he
never had never would forget; and
not the least of these was to obey
blindly, and quickly too, Or punish
ment would be speedy and severe.
Martha knew the temper of hel
father too we'll not to be diligent il
everything she undertook. He wat
man who expected and made womer
do their fair share Of work. This
work was sometimes SO heavy that j
taxed female endurance to the utter
most. "But what Of that, he woulc
say, "must we not all bear burdens
Can we expect to 60 through tht
world dressed like butterflies and idlt
as drones? That might do for th'
kings court, but it wouldn't answer
for poor folks"
"Come, follow me, he said, as HI
stepped outside the door.
Martha had enveloped herself il
some warm clothing, and had fount
time to whisper a word to he
Younger sister. II was a message tt
Fred Anker, when he should com'
that evening.
The wind blew intensely cold a
they set out, and the higher they as
eended the hills, the keener became
the blast. Snow flakes, too began t,
fall, and altogether the night prom
ised to be 4 bad one.
Martha trudged by her1faSher'
side. never speaking unless he ad
dressed her She had no need
ouire whittier they we're going, ID
Isbe was too well accustomed to thes
adventures to haye-any doubt upol
the matter. They walked in silenc
along the unfrequented mountail
path, and climbed with difficulty hi
HE rocky places.
clay hold of my belt" command
ed her father, in a low voice, as the
came to a difficult piece Of road. Fl
smoke in q subdued tone, for he wa
apprehensiye lest the guards Nigh
be lurking in the numerous cavern
Chat were ii the mountains, and tax
lhim prisoner.
The oirl trembling with cold an
fear obeyed her rough conductor
and they reached spot Of tabl
LAND where they paused to TAX
breath.
"Hold r whispered Krone, sud
denly: edo YOU hear anythmgl Lis
ten I! / believe in my soul those wer
mems voices"
Martha bent her head to lister
ssNo n she replied, '"tis but the win
bowling through the pines, and So
enough it sounds.
Her father. however, was not satii
fed.
"Stand still /" he continued; "lii
ten, now. Surely / hear footsteps
and quite plainly, too
"No, father" answered Martht