The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-02-26
Selsrt Story.
THE SiIUGGLER'S LAST TRIP.

Not a very great distance outside the
old walled town CT Saafeld, the road alb
rCptly turns from the banks of the Saale
and begins to ascend the central ridge
of the Thuringerwald. A few huts used
TO be upon the spot, but they have all
disappeared now. The occupants, who
were popularity known to be wOod-chop.
pers, lived with their families. But
twas very little wooj-chopping they did,
being more disposed to carry on the bus
mess of smuggling across the frontier.
The occupation was dangerous one, for
soldiers were constantly moving over
mountain and forest to prevent SNUG
glers from defrauding the Saxon Govern
ment; yet such was the dexterity of the
lawless wood-choppers, that they were
rarely apprehended. A good nights ven
ture would enable one of them to live for
months without turning his hand to
work.
1t was dark evening in winter when
Jacob Krone entered his hut and bade
his daughter follow him.
"Whither do we go fathers" faltered
the girl, getting ready to obey the COM
mand.
''What is that to your" replied Krone.
''Women are always asking such silly
questions. Come, hurry. l suppose
your mother won't return for a couple of
hours2 Well, she'll know where you
have gon0.h
Martha Krone would have much pre-
ferred remaining at home that night, for
Frederick Anker, the best looking fel-
low in the neighborhood, was coming to
see her, and Martha was pretty well sat
SIZED that Frederick was in love with
her.
However much she might desiIe to re-
main by her fireside that evening, she
knew it was useless to expect it, for
when Jacob Krone commanded, every
member of his family had to obey with.
out question or murmur Fifteen years
service as soldier had made him impe-
rious and quick-tempered,a and he learn
ed lessons when he carried Il musket
that he had never forgotten; and not the
least of these was to obey blindly, and
quickly too, or punishment would be
speedy and severe.
Martha knew the temper of her father
too well not to be diligent in everything
| she undertook. He was a man who ex-
pected and made women do their fair
share of work. This work was some
times so heavy that it taxed female en-
durance to the qttermast. but what
OF tlrlt!' he would say, ''must we not
all bear burdens. Can we expect to go
through the world dressed like butter
flies and idle rs drones? That might do
for the Kings court, bat it wouldn't an
swer for poor folks.
Come, follow me, he said ,as he step
ped outside the door.
Martha had enveloped herself in some
warm clothing, and had found time to
whisper IA word TO her younger sister. 1t
was message to Fred Anker, when he
should come that evening.
I .e wind blew intensely cold as they
ct out, and the higher they ascended
the hills, the keener became the blast,
Snoa flakes too, began to fall and al
together the night promised to he bad
one.
Martha trudged by her fathers side,
never speaking unless he addressed her.
She had no need to enquire whittier they
were going, for she was too well used to
these adventures to have any doubt up
ON the matter, They walked in silence
up the unfrequented mountain path,
and climbed with difficulty up the rocky
places.
Lay hold of my belt, ii commanded
the father in low voice, as they came to
difficult piece of road. He spoke in a
subdued tone, for he was apprehensive
| lest the guards might be lurking in the
numerous cavcrus that were in the
mountains, and take him prisoner.
The girl, trembling with cold and fear,
obeyed her ,ough conductor, and they
reached spot of table land where they
stopped tQ take breath.
'Hold!n whispered krone, suddenly;
''do you hear anythingi Listen! l be-
lieve in my soul those were mems vol
ces."
Martha bent her head to listen. "Nor'
size replied, "'tis but the wind bowling
through the pines, and sad enough it
! sounds"
Her fnthrr. however, was not salts
fed,
''Stand still, he continued: '1isten,
now. Surely hear footsteps, and quite
plainly, too"
''No, father answered Martha, sit is
the ice bursting in the chas'n and falling
upon the 'ocks Oh! tits very cold"
Krone paid no heed to the last remark
but put his ear low to the ground and
listened. Presently he said ''Come on.
For a while the road was smooth, hut
afterward it began TO grow difficult, for
the rocks were so abrupt.
Jacob Rrone Eplled his daughter Close
to his side, and said;
SHOULD any misfortune befall me to
night, tell your mother she must not
give up the business. l have made Il
very profitable, and | should not die
easy if believed it would drop with my
life. You are old enough now to lend q
hand, and Ernest will soon be growing
up to assist you. You all can carry it Oh
well enough, should think"
Martha felt a gloom steal over hel