Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-12-08
A BRAVE GIRL.
BY N. NJ.

miles distant, and which they hac
thought to reach.
The daughter-Carrie-exp
her willingness, as the tavern present
ed a comfortable appearance ane
they alighted, when it was plainly te
be seen that the gentleman was quite
lame, so much so that he was obliged
to use 4 cane.
The landlord came out, and call
inga boy to take the horse and sleigh
to the barn, he ushered Mr.. Spencer
and his daughter into pleasant sit
ting room, where bright fire was
burning on the hearth, which proved
very acceptable to our travellers, who
had been in the sleigh since morn
ing.
"Your room will be ready by sup
per-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
sitting-room, where they talked and
chatted until halfpast eight.
They were then shown to thell
room, which was on the second story
in wing somewhat distant from the
main portion.
The room was very long, with &
high ceiling. On one side was 8
window, and on the other door.
Just above the door was bust Of
King George III.
The room was very plainly fur
nished, containing two beds, wash
stand and few chairs.
Carrie took in the whole room al
glance, and it must be confessed
had there not been a cheerful fire
burning, she would have felt nervous
about sleeping there. AS it was, the
warm glow lit up the room into
comparative cheertulness.
While she and her father sat by
the fire, her eyes wandered to the
bust above the door, when she no
ticed that the eyeballs had beer
knocked out. leaving two empty
spaces.
"Well Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer
presently, 81 think you had better
lock the door. I am going to count
my money"
After Carrie had done so, he drew
out a money-belt heavy with bills
and proceeded to count them.
While doing so Carries eyes wan
dered involuntarily again to the bust
when to her horror and astonish
ment, in the place ofthe empty space
were two glittening eyes, greedily
watching every movement Of hel
father
The young lady could scarcely
suppress a scream; but controlling
herself she looked toward the fire
while her father went on counting
"a large roll of bills.
III must have been mistaken,
thought the fair girl. "What coul,
have made me have such a strange
fancy, thought" she continued, glanc
ing again at the bust.
The eyes were still there--tw'
burning eyes, that frightened as Mr.
Spencer went on counting.
| "Good Heavensr' thought Carrie
'what shall we do! We are evident
| ly in den Of thieves, and we viii
get murdered for my poor father
money!"
How to communicate their DANCE
to her father without those terrible
eyes noticing it, Carrie could no
think. Suddenly a bright idea cam
to her.
rather" she said, aloud, "let me
take a card and pencil. l wish t.
make a memorandum of some arti
cles l wish to purchase in the vii
lage."
Her father handed them to her
,fter slowing away his belt. Carri
wrote tremblingly, in a fine hand
"FathHr, do not be frightened; w
ire in trap. G." in the opposit
corner of the room, where your fac
will be in the dark, and look at tn
bust above the door. In it you vii
see two glittering eyes that hav
watched you counting your money
"Read it," she said aloud, ,handin!
the card to her father, 81 want to SCI
if you think me too eXtravagant."
Her father betrayed no emotion a
he read, but said
"You are pretty extravagant Can
rie. l suppose you think your lathe
is made of money!" and he arose ant
went to the washstand, which was il
the dark corner.
| Once there, he glanced toward tn
bust, and that glance confirmed hi
daughters extraordinary statement
When he came back to his seal
Carrie saw that the eyes were gone
Then leaning towards her father
she said, in low TONG
"You see, it is as l said hav
thought Of plan, however, by whic
we can escape. You would be pei
tect.y helpless in an affray of an
kind on account of your lame leg, S
l must try to save us both.
Then followed whispered consu
tation, during which Carrie kept he
eyes fixed on the bust; but the gil
tcring orbs did not come back.
AS she concluded, Carrie went t
the window, threw it up, and locke
out. Beckoning to her father, VIII
came, she said or rather whispered
"You see this shed, father? We
they will probably come up on i
and get in through the window.
do not think they will make the al
tack before twelve, so / will get ou
of this window, jump from the shee
90 to the barn, and take our hors
and go to S-for help"
Flinging wrap over her sligf
! figure, she embraced her father tel
derly, and bidding him not to wo
ry over her, she jumped lightly OF
out on the shed and disappeared.
Mr.. Spencer watched her for
while, then closing the window, too
out a handsome watch, saw that
was nine o'clock, and then proceede
to work.
He first covered up the fire, BILE