The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-14
A BRAVE GIRL.
BY N. NJ.

In the winter of 1912, gentleman and
his daughter, young lady, while travel
ing through Canada, arrived about night
fall at an old-tashioncd tavern. The
gentleman concluded to stop there in
stead Of going on to the village of s.
which was ten miles distant, and which
they had thought to reach.
The -Carrie-expressed her
willingness, as the tavern presented a
comfortable appearance, and they alighl-
ed, when it was plainly to be seen that
the gentleman was quite lame, so much
so that he was obliged to use cane.
The landlord came out, and, calling a
boy to take the horse and sleigh to the
barn, he ushered Mr.. Spencer and his
daughter into pleasant sitting-room,
where a bright fire was burning on the
hearth, which proved very acceptable to
our travellers, who had been in the sleigh
since morning.
"Your room will be ready by supper
time, sir" said the landlord, as he left the
room and went into the bar-room.
Supper was shortly announced, and
after refreshing themselves, Mr.. Spencer
and Carrie returned to the cozy sitting
room, where they talked and chatted
until half past eight.
They were then shown their room
which was on the second story, in a wing
somewhat distant from the main portion.
The room was very long, with high
ceiling. On one side was window, and
on the other door.
Just above the door was bust of King
George III.
The room was very plainly furnished,
containing two beds, a washstand, and a
few chairs.
Carrie took in the whole room at q
glance, and it must be confessed, had
there not been a cheerful fire burning,
she would have felt nervous about sleep
ing there. AS it was the warm glow lit
up the room into comparative cheerful
ness.
While she and her father sat by the
fire, her eyes wandered to the bust above
the door, when she noticed that the eye
balls had evidently been knocked out,
leaving two empty spaces.
"Well, Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer,
presently, 81 think you had better lock
the door. am going to count my money"
After Carrie had done so, he drew out
money-belt heavy with bills, and pro-
ceeded to count them.
While doing so, Carries eyes involun-
tarily wandered again to the bust, when,
to her horror and astonishment, in place
of empty spaces were two glittering eyes,
greedily watching every movement of
her father.
The yonng girl could scarcely repress a
scream; but, controlling herself, she
looked towards the fire, while her father
went on counting large roll of bills.
~ must have been mistaken" thought
the fair girl. "What could make me
have such a strange fancy, thought" she
continued, glancing again at the bust.
The eyes were still there-two burning,
savage eyes, that frightened as Mr.. Spen-
Ger went on counting:
"Good heavens p thought Carrie,
"what shall we do! We are evidently in
den of thieves, and will get murdered
for my poor fathers money!
How to communicate their danger to
her father without those terrible eyes
noticing it, Carrie could not think. Sud-
denly bright idea came to her.
Gather" she said, aloud, "let me take
card and pencil. I wish to make a
memorandum of some items I want to
purchase in the village"
Her father handed them to her, after
slowing away his belt Carrie wrote,
tremblingly in fine hand
"Father, do not be frightened (; we are
in trap. Go in the opposite corner of
the room, where your face will be in the
dark, and look at the bust above the door.
In it you will see two glittering eyes that
have watched you counting your money"
"Read it," she said, aloud, handing the
card to her father II want you to see
if you think am too extravagant."
Her father betrayed no emotion as he
read, but said
"You are pretty extravagant, Carrie.
suppose you think your father is made
of money" ;" and he arose and went to the
wasLstand, which was in dark cornor.
Once there he glanced toward the bust,
and that glance confirmed his daughters
extraordinary statement.
When he came back to his seat, Carrie
saw that the eyes were gone.
Then, leaning towards her father, she
said, in low tone
"You see it is as l said. have
thought of a plan, however, by which we
can both escape. You would be perfect
ly helpless in an affray of any kind on
account of your lame leg, so | must save
US BOTH"
Then followed Il whispered cnn5u.ta-
ton, during which Carrie kept her eyes
fixed on the BUST but the glittering orLs
had not come back.
AS she concluded, Carrie went to the
window, threw it up, and looked out
Reckoning to her father, who came, she
said, or rather whispered
"You see this shed, father? Well,
they will probably come up on it and get
in through the window. do not think
they will make the attack before twelve,
so I will get out Of this window, jump
from the shed, 60 to the barn and take
our horse, and &c to s. for help"
Flinging wrap over her slight figure
she embraced her father tenderly, and
bidding him not worry over her, she
jumped lightly out on the shed and dis
appeared. -,
Mr.. Spencer watched her for a while,
then closing the window, took out q
handsome watch, saw that it was nine
o'clock, and proceeded to work.
He first covered up the fire, blew out
the light, and rolled up blanket, with
which he made dummy. This he
placed in the bed which his daughter was
to occupy.
Then he sat down and waited-oh, how
anxiously!
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes went by.
and 20 sound CAME from the vicinity q