The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-01-13
THE BORDER HEROINE.

Some years ago, before the State of
Arkansas was so densely populated as
now, and when the mails from Little
Rock to the eastern borders were car
ried on horseback, there lived few
miles above HorSehead stout pioneer
named Jacob Burnap. His wife Polly
and one child nine Gears old made up
his family. His chief business was
hunting, and his unerring rifle never
failed to supply his board and some
thing over. His nearest neighbor was
fifteen miles off, so he was little trOu-
bled with prying visitors.
1t was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat-load
of furs and skins. lie left Polly in
charge of the premises; and he left
with her, too, light rifle and a brace
of pistols. 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, Pol
ly, my dear; | could not have made 4
better shot myself" "
And he had occasion to say this with
truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four
days, when towards evening horse
man rode up 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 sad
die, Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly, once more here" the
newcomer said, as he drew a 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 getting heavy"
"Jacob gone? Where?"
"Down the river, with a load of
furs.''
"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.'
ooh, | feel safe enOugh,n returned
the woman quickly" only little lone
some"
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
dle-bags into the cabin and led his
horse around to n 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 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 with
n r,ip or Rtrp =
In fact, he was about the only regular
visitor at the hunters cabin; and al
though the intervals between his visits
were long, vet he seemed almost a fix
ture to the place. Polly Burnap, Just
in the bloom of womanhood, knew his
gentle, generous, noble character; so
she felt perfectly free and at home in
his presence.
"Is it not known on the route that
your load is valuable?" asked Polly.
al think not-though it may be-
Still, am well armed, and fancy it
would be a very tough job for any one
II tackle old Norton
"A man was robbed on the creek a
few days ago"
"And the robbers have fled" added
Morton, carelessly, as he threw his mail
bags after him.
MSrton went to bed at nine o'clock,
rs 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 to little table where the
candle was, and went to work upon
some clothing for her child, who was
soundly sleeping 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 pushed
the basked beneath the table when the
front door opened, and two men enter
ed. They were in their stockings, their
shoes having been left outside.
" Hush!" uttered the foremost in
truder. "Speak but one word above
q whisper, and YOU die in a moment"
Polly recovered from her quick terror,
and looked up. She saw two stout,
wicked, ugly-looking men, one of whom
held cooked pistol towards her. With
a quickness of perception natural to her,
she knew the pistol would not be fired
if she held her peace, as that would
make more noise than she could make;
and further, she recognized in the fore
most a 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
himEand positively, too, for one big
scar on the left cheek was mark enough.
"What do you want?" asked Polly,
without betraying the least fear.
1--WE have come to see the mail-car-
rier,'' one replied, in a hoarse whis-
Der; "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