The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-01-20
A Border Heroine.


kansas was so denseiy populated as now,
and when the mails from Little Rock to
the eastern borders were carried on horse
back, there lived a few miles above
Horsehead a stout pioneer named Jacob
Burnap. His wife Polly and one child
nine years old made up his family. His
chief business was hunting, and his I'M
erring rife never failed to supply his
board and something over. His nearest
neighbor was fifteen miles off, SO he was
little troubled with prying visitors.
1t was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat load
Of furs and skins. He left Polly in
charge of the premises; and he left with
her, too, light rife and brace of pis-
tolls. She knew how to use the rife; for
never was she happier than when her
husband patted her on the shoulder and
said, "NObly done, Polly my dear; 1
could not have amade a better, shot
myself"
And he had occasion to say this with
truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four days,
when towards evening a horseman rode
up 10 the hunters door. He was a
small, muscular man, some forty years
of age and seemed Injured to all hard
ships. As he sprang from his saddle,
Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly, once more here" the new
conner said, as he drew well-filled pair
of saddle-bags from the back of his
fatigued beast.
"Yes, and am glad to see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and time is get
ting heavy"
Jacob, gone? Where ?"
Down the river, with load of furs ?''
con, yes. Well, you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night
at least; SO for the next twelve hours
you'll be sree."
Oh, l feel safe enough" returned
the woman quickly " only a little
Lonesome"
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
| dle-bags into the cabin and led his horse
around to low shed, where he made the
animal fast and fed him.
! After this he returned to the dwelling
and entered, and was soon discussing
! the events of the time over an ample
supper. His hostess had told him what
had transpired in the neighborhood
since his last visit, and the visitor gave
| her all the news of the Eastern valley.
| Liant Morton had been mail carrier upon
that route for several years, and not
once had he passed to and fro without
/ spending a night at Jacob Burnap's. In
fact he was about the only regular visi-
tor at the hunters cabin; and, although
the intervals between his visits were
! long, yet he seemed almost fixture to
| the place. Polly Burnap, just in the
| bloom of womanhCod, knew his gentle,
generous, and noble character; so she
felt perfectly free and at home in his
presence.
g Is it not known on the route that
your load is valuable ~ asked Polly.
" think not-though it may be. Still,
/ am well armed, and l fancy it would
be a very tough job for any one to tackle
old Morton"
A man was robbed on the creek a
few days ago"
"And the robbers have fed" added
Morton, carelessly, as he threw his mail
bags after him.
Morton went to bed at O'Clock. as
he was tired from his long ride. Polly
had work to do, having neglected it
while talking to her guest; so when she
had seen him safe at rest she drew her
basket GA little table where the candle
was, and went to work upon some cloth
ing for her child, who was sOundly sleep
ing in corner.
The old German clock upon the wall,
with its great weight and wind strings all
exposed, had struck 10 ere Polly rose
from her work She had Just put the
basket beneath the table when the front
door opened, and two men entered.
They were in their stockings, their shoes
having been left outside.
Hush p uttered the foremost in
truder
T'Speak but one word above a whisper,
and you die in a moment Is
Polly recovered from her quick terror,
and looked up. She saw two stout,
wicked, ugly looking men, one of whom
held cooked pistol toward her. With a
quickness of perception natural to her,
She knew the pistol would not be fred
II she held her peace, as that would make
more noise than she could make; and
further, she recognized in the foremost a
Hotorious william who bore the name of
Dick. Gallus.
She had never seen him before, but the
minute description her husband had given
of the man led her To know him-and
positively, too, for one big scar on the
left cheek was mark enough.
g What do you want p asked Polly,
without betraying the least fear.
We have come 10 see the mail-car-
rier," one replied, in q hoarse whisper;
where is he: Don't speak too loud.
He Is long since asleep. Would 1t
not do as well to see him IN the morning
We can find you a room and lodglng."
The fair hostess had said this for the
purpose of gaining time. she knew
very well that these men had come TO
rob the carrier and WAS equally sure