The Van Buren press., 1875-12-21
The Border Heroine.

Some years ago. before the State OF
Arkansas was so ,lensely populated as
now, aud when the mails from Little
Rock to the western horders were CARR.
ell on horseback, there lived, q few miles
above Horsehead. n stout pioneer named
Jacob Burnsy His wife Polly. and one
child nine years oil, made up his family
His chief business WAS hunting, and hi
unerring ID. never tailed to supply his
bnarl atrl something over. His neares.
ncighhor was fifteen miles off so lie was
little troubled with pr,ing visitors
II was in the eaily spring that Jacob
started do~n the river with n boat.Ioatl
OF tllrs and skins He left Polly in charge
Of he premises; and he left with her,
tco. a livht rid ani brace of pistols
She knew how to use the rifle. for never
was sue happier than when her husband
pat'etl her on the shoulder ani said
/ s3i,.y ,luue. poi'ys...as dear could
not lase made u better sll,t ,ns self"
/ And he had occasion to say this with
truth, tao.
Jacob Is ,rnap la heen gone four tla =,
when. towards evening. harseii,an ra h.
up To the huntcr's donr He was a small.
muscular man. some forty years of aye.
aud seemed Injured to all harishps. As
he sprang from his saddle, Poll, raaar
her appearance.
] "Ah. Polly, once more here the new
conner said. ~ he drew well. flied mir
of saleie-bags from the back Of his "a.
tiYuei beast.
Yes, and am glad t. see you. ia
cob has been gole four days, and time is
getting heavy
"Jacob y,ne.l Where?'
down the river, with laad Of furs =
"Oa, YES Well. voa shall have thp
cnmpane of Lnt Morton far one night.
AZ least: So, for the next twelve hours
vonll be safe"
"Oh, feel safe enough" returned the
woman q'Iicklv. "onlv little lonesome =
Thus speaking. Marion threw his sad
die bags into the cabin. and led his horse
arua'il 20 Il iow sGei, whore he ma IL til.
animal fast aul fed him
After this he returned to the dwelling
anl entered. and was soon discussing tile
events Of the lines over au ample sup
per His hostess had told hin all thu
hal trlispire in the nei2hhprllopd silee
his l,st visit, AMI tim visitor gave her all
the news IT the eastern valley Liant
Norton had been IN Ill carrier upon thlt
route far several wears. an not oaue had
he passed t. an fro without sppniiny
nj lht al Jacob Blrnap's, In fact, he was
about the only regnlar visitor Mt the hun.
,pr's cabii; AMI. although tic intervals
between hi- visits were long. vet he
seemed nimOst a hxture tn the place, Pol.
~ b Irnap, just IN the bloom of woman.
hood. knew his gentle generous. nohle
character 81 she felt perfectly free anl
your Ioat IL .nrss4.t..~~.
II think not--though it may be Still
| am we,l-arned, and fancy IL would he
very tough job for amy one to tackle
Old Norton.
:" A man was robbed ON the creek stcw
days ago"
And the rnhbcrs have 1ed." added
Morton. c,relessly, AZ he threw mis- mail
bags after HIM
Morton went to he'd at 8 o'clock. rs
he WIS lircl from his long rifle. Polly
hal work t. do having n,g elected IL while
ialking IL her guest. 50, when she had
seen him safe at rest she drew her bask
ct to n It'll. Ia le where the candle was.
an 4 went to work uiioh some clothing iof
her chill. who was soun,lly sleeping IN a
corner
The Old Grln IN clock upon the WALL
with its weight and winl.striags exposed,
hut struck 10 ere Polly rose from ier
work She had Just pushed the basket
beneath the table, when the front door
opened. and two men entered. The,
were in their stockings their shoes hay
ing been lett outside.
uu,h!" ut,ere,l the foremost mtrn
DIR. "S,,eak bu, one ward above II
viii .per. and yni die III Il moment -
Pnlly recovered from her qick terror
and looked M. Siesaw two stout. wick.
ell. ugly lopking men. one nf whom held
Il cooked pistol towards her With a
Il licknrss of perception natural to her,
| sac kaew the pistol woui not be fired II
! she held her peace. AS that would make
more noise than she could make AMI
iutlier, she recosniz u in the foremost u
notorious william who lore the name oi
Dick Galius.
S.e hal never seen him before, hut the
minue description her hu.hlnd had Civ
en- ,,f the m "a lel her to klpw him and
positively, too. for one big scar on the
| left cheek was marx enough.
What do You WANT" asked Folly,
withou he raving the least fear,
We nave come to see the mail car
rier." bnr replied, in u horse whisper
:. where j. he don't speak too ioni
:" He is long since asleep. Would 1t
not do as well to see him in the M 'rning
We can fl II you room aud lodsi"g
Tne far hostess had sand this tor the
purpose of gaining time. She knew very
well that these men had come to rob tho
carrier, aiJ was equally sure that TN,
woull murder him il they could. ant
would in all probability put her out oftht
way n. we'll. Tncv had evi len,lv learn
cal of the valuable load he carried, and
meant to carry it in his stead.
Never ninl his being asleep Show
Us wlirre he is at once, roughly repllea
Galus, IA answer to pplly's last remark
"B 1t can call him. good sir,.' reas
oneh the woman. calmly, though thefs
was alarm IN her soul
-" Call him call growlel the william
with IA fierce "a h You call him, ano
Won viii be called to an 'ther world,
~ / q A. .