The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-08

ana she gave tuio pioihA'O hiOA -
because her saddle was very beautiful
as we'll as strong and durable one:
After this Karl Won Dunderman died,
and after he was buried Barbara went
home. and was sad and lonesome. Mar
tin Hoffman came to live with her, ana
though he was cheerful and kind, yet
it was long time before she could be-
come reconciled to the loss Of her old
protector; but when the spring birds
came. and the pretty flowers began to
bloom. she laughed once more, and her
soul came back to its joyousness. One
day. while overhauling the papers Karl
had left in his old desk, she found a
note directed to her. The superscrip-
ton was in Karls hand, and the note
was strongly sealed. She was Just gong
TO omen the missive, when she saw some
writing beneath the s,lperscriptlon, and
if read as follows: "Barbdra must not
oDe,, his until size is ma'ried, nor must
she altar ann one else 10 10 so. hnow
she ,rW not dis0bey.
For Il while Barbara wished to know
what was inside of this letter, but she
remembered she had never disobeyed
her foster-father while he lived and she
would not now darken her remembrance
of him by doing it; and so she placed 1t
again in the desk.
Time passed on, and when Barbara
was seventeen she was one of the hand
soonest girls in the neighborhood. She
and Martin lived pleasantly together,
for she had become used to his deformi-
tv and he absolutely worshiped her.
The mill kept working away all the
while. its great wheel grooming and
rumbling always while the sun was-rp,
and often by candlc-light, for Martin was
faithful.
During this time several men had
sought the maidens hand, but she had
turned them OFF without aquestion. AT
/ length there came young man whom
she did not dislike. His name was John
| Fostcrn, the son of an innkeeper in
Careflehach. But Barbara WAS discreet,
and resolved, ere she allowed her alice
tons to become fixed by further intima-
cy, to PIT John to the test.
Come sweet Barbara. You must al
low me to love you, said theyouth upon
/ his knees.
"And why should I do that? 2" she
asked
''Because / would have you for II
wife. was the response.
You are plain" replied barbara,
''and l will he equally so. Before l
give you any answer, you must saddle
Won Dundorman's black mare, and ride
her M to the top Of the hill and back
again. promised old Karl that would
not marry man who could not do this.
The old man was wise, cried John,
rapturouslv. HE would have a man
of nerve for your husband. And yet
how simple job that must be, for you
ride the beast at will.
"And mind" added the maiden, ''you
can make but one trial"
VERY proper" returned John. "The
-. - al not nc worthy OF so KIIitI u
wife"
So the black saddle-mare was led out
and saddled and bridled.
Dear Barbara,' cried Fostern, 81
am the happest of men. TO the top
of the hill and back, you say 2"
Yes"
''Then hold your love till I am back.
Now, here's up"
As he spoke he vaulted into the sad
die, and commenced to draw the rein !;
but-"O! All! What the Whoa!'
But neither force nor entreaty could
make the black mare go ahead. She
only reared and plunged furiously, and
finally, by springing erect on her hind
legs, managed to throw her would-be
rider. Barbara was sorry; and she said
so-bnt she could not help it. So John
Fostern went away protesting to he very
miserable.
Lovers kept coming--some for the
n frIr H.
money and the mill. Among tho former
at length came Peter Rothendorf. He
was a iine-looking young man, of re-
spectacle family. Barbara had known
him some time, and she knew him to be
Il good, kind man. She felt sure she
should love him if he continued his adj
dresses, for she respected him now, and
even felt happy when she saw him COM
ing. But she forgot not her promise to
her protector. and she told Peter the
conditions on which he could continue
his visits.
But this is too easy task for so rich
prize" the young man cried. II am
an experienced horseman, and may as
well call the work done"
But you must do it," said Barbara.
"Of course-and it shall be done at
once, too. Hail, happy day, that sees
my love my own"
And with this scrap upon his lips, Peter
Rothendorf went out. Martin led the
black mare from the stable, and as soon
as the saddle and bride were on, the
young man mounted. He waved his hat
to Barbara, and then whistled to the
mare. The animals first movement was
a 30, IL. 1,ft
then, as suddenly to the right-then,
4 l. Il,