The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-01-19
a1tR ezegrrtu

i
would besa tough job forNny one TO
tackle old Liant"
"a man was robbed on the creek a
fewdsyspgo.t V al
"And the robbers have fed" added
Morton, capslessly, as helpew his mail
bags aftersis sg,ggG
Morton went TO bed at nine clock as
he was tired aud sleepy from his hard
ride. Polly had work to do, having
Ineglected it while talking with; her
guest SO when she had seen him safely
at rest in the bed, she drew her basket
to the little table where the candle Was,
and went 10 work upon some clothing
for the child Eho was sQppdIy slseping
IN the corner
The old German clock upon the wall,
with its great weights and winding
strings all exposed, had struck ten ere
Polly arose from her work. She had
just pushed the basket beneath the Ia
bic, and taken up the candle, when the
front door opened, and two men enter
ed. They were in their stockings,
their shoes having been left outside.
rHushi" uttered the foremost of the
intrud6rs. "Speak but one word above
whisper and you diem a moment"
Polly recovered from Her quick Ter
rOr, ndloOksd up. Shs.saR tive st0ht,
wicked, ugly looking men, one of whom
held cooked pistol toward her. With
a perception. natural to her, she knew
the pistol would not be fired il she held
her peace, as that would make more
noise than she could. Aud further she
recognized in the foremost Il notorious
villain, who bore the name of Dick
Gallus.
She had never seen him before, but
the minute description bet husband
had given Of the man, led Her at once
to know him-and positively, too, for
one big scar on the left cheek was
mark enough.
"What seek YOU, gentlemen" asked
P,Ifv. without betraviio fhe-I easf
fear. "
1--WE have come to seek the mail !
carrier, replied Gallus, in hoarse
whisper. Where is he? Don't speak
too loud" " ...
"He is long since asleep. Would it |
nOt.dO as well to see him IN the morn.
ing' l can find you rooms and, lodgIl
ing" II
The fair hostess had said this Cor tho
purpose of gaining time. She knew
very, well that these men came 10 rob
the carrier, and was equally sure they \
would murder him, Il they could, and |
would, in all probability put her out of
the way, q vel. ITlIsy had evident
learned the valuable load he carried,
and meant TO carry it in his stead.
'Never mind his being asleep. Show
ls where he is at once, roughly re
Piled Gallussin answered. Polly'P last
-.-, II II
"But I can tell him, good sirs, !" rea-.
'ODed the woman calmly, though there
was alarm in her soul. ID
Call him? l'Call~ growled the vii-1
ain, with a fierce oath. "Y6u call
iim, and you'Il be called to another
sorld.-Qulck,-show us the way"
The mid eye thateOuld aim an un-
,rriIs AIl.t q ehe forest beast, did
rot tlslla ne lhoae q that woillsi -
6ul, Dor DID her look tel her meaa-
ng. sbs NJ, pale, but she dia net
NIV
'skAs way, eirs, = she whispered.
As she spoke she, turned toward
lOOr between the little. bed room and
he pantry. She did not open it until
10Th the men were close behind her.
SDon'e yoo hear him breath p She
Ehispered. 80 usqszE isagszas q
Eyes returned both villains. Ana
hey did hear a breathing, but it wasj
# child close at hand.
As they answered her, she threw
he door wide open-=itOpened inward.
The men saw a dark void, but they
pressed forward. In an instant Polly
3urnap leaped back. Gallus was
,lOsed upon the threshold and his COM
'dniOO elo pPsa hi bee van
Ter power the noble woman threw her
elf agpinss the rear man and next
moment both the robbers lay SPRAYING
N the cellar, botbsn. Thk bad been
he dor opening 70 the deep excava>
ion, and the onlymeans ofegreS was
1y a perpendicular ladder.
Gould this have Besn moved Polly
would have pulled il Immediately up,