Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-10
Dailu Nrnnrttr sournal.
THE BORDER HEROINE.

THE BORDER HEROINE.
Some wears ago, before tue State OF Ar
kansas was SO densely populated as now
and when the mails from Little hock TO
the eastern borders were carried on horse
back, there lived 8 few miles above Horse
head strout pioneer named Jacob Bur-
nap. His wife Polly and one child nine
years old made up his family. His cbef
business was hunting, and his unerring
rifle never failed to supply his board and
something over. His nearest neighbor
was fifteen miles off, so he was little
troubled with prying visi,ers.
1t was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with a boat-load OF
furs and skins. He left Polly i'll charge OF
the premises; and he left her, too, light
rifle and brace of pistols. She knew
how to use the rifle, for never was she
happier than when her husband patted her
on the shoulder and said "Nobly done,
Polly, nv dear; could not have made
better shot myself
And ne had occasion to say this with
truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four days,
VIXEN towards evening horseman rode
no to the hunters door. He was small,
muscular man, some forty years OF age.
and seemed injured to all hardships. AS
he sprang from his saddle, Polly made her
appearance.
'.Ah, Polly, once more here" the new
conner said. as he drew a well-filled pair
Of saddle bags from the back of his IA
tigued beast.
Eyes, and l am glad to see. Jacob has
been gone four days, and time is getting
heavy"
Jacob gone? Where p
Down the river, with load Of fnrS.
"Oh. yes. Well. you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night at
least, so for the next twelve hours you'll
be safe"
.Oh. feel safe enough" returned the
woman. quickly-''onlya little lonesome"
Thus speaking Morton threw his saddle
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 all that had trans
pired 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
night at Jacob Burnap's. In fact, h.
was about the only regular visitor 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 woman
hood, knew his gentle, generous. noble
character, so she felt perfectly free and at
home ia his presence.
ut is not known on the route that your
load is valuable p asked Polly.
II :hink not-though it may be- Still,
am well armed, and fancy it would be
very tough job for any one to tackle old
Norton"
"A man was robbed On the creek a few
days ago"
"And the robbers have fed" added Nor
ton, carelessiy, as he drew his mail-bags
after him.
Morton went to bed at nine o'clock, as
he was tired from his long ride. Polly
had work 10 do. having eglected it while
talking to her guest; so when she had
seen him safe at rest she drew her basket
to little table where the candle was, and
went to work upon some clothing for her
child. who was soundly sleeping in q cor
ner.
The old German clock upon the wall.
with its great weight and wind strings all
exposed, had Just struck ten ere Polly rose
from her work. She had just pushed 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.n uttered the foremost intruder,
"Speak one word above whisper, and
you die!''
Polly recovered from her quick terror
and looked up. She saw two stout, wick
ed, ugly looking men. one who held
cooked pistol toward her. With quick
ness of perception natural 10 her. she
knew the pistol would not be fired il she
held her peace, as that would make more
noise than she could make; and further.
she recognized in the foremost notorious
villain 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 pos
itively, too, for one big scar on the left
cheek was mark enough.
"What do you want?" asked Polly,
without betraying the least fear.
I'VE have come to see the mail carrier,
one replied, in hoarse whisper; "where
is he"
HE is long since asleep. Would it not
do as we'll to see him in the morning? We
can find you room and lodging"
The fair hostess had said this for the
purpose of gaining time. She knew very
we'll that these men had come to rob the
carrier. and was equally sure that they
would murder him if they could, and would
in all probability put her out of the way as
well. They had evidently learned of the
valuable load he carried, and meant TO
carry it in his stead.
"Never mind his being asleep. Show
us where he is at once roughly replied
Gallus. in answer to Polly's last remark.
but can call him, good sirs," rea-
soned the woman, calmly, though there
was alarm in his soul.
"Call him call - growled the villain,
with fierce oath. You call him. and
you will be called to another world.
Quick show us the way
The mild eye that could aim an unerring