The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-01-13
ing? We can find you a room and lodg-

ing? We can find you a room and lodg
ing"
The fair hostess had said this for tine
purpose of gaining time. She knew
very well that these men had come tC
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 hi:
stead.
"Never mind his being asleep. Show
us where he is at once, ;" roughly replied
Gallus, in answer to Polly's last re,
mark.
"But can call him, good sirs, rea-
soned the woman, calmly, though there
was alarm in her soul.
"Call him! CALI" growled the viii
lain, with a 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 uner-
ring bullet at the forest beast
did not even betray the thoughts of the
wOman's soul, nor did look tell her
meaning. She was very pale, but did
| not tremble.
"This way, sirs." she whispered.
And as she spoke she turned towards
a side door. She did not open it till
both the men were close behind her.
"Don't you hear him breathe?"
EYES," returned both villains.
And they did hear a breathing, but it
was of child close at hand.
As they thus answered her she threw
the door open-it opened inward. The
men saw a dark void, but they pressed
forward. In an instant Polly Burnap
! leaped back. Gallus was in front.
With all her powder, the noble woman
threw herself against the rear man, and
the next moment both the robbers lay
sprawling on the cellar bottom.
This had been the door opening to the
deep excavation, and the only means of
egress was by perpendicular ladder.
Could this have been moved, Polly
would have pulled it up Immediately !;
but it was spiked to its place, and she
must let it remain. To close the door
would be useless, for she had not ready
means to fasten it. So she did what she
! had resolved upon from the first-she
sprang to the Fireplace, and caught the
trusty rifle, and, cooking it, she moved
| towards the open door. She heard the
curses of the villains as they reached
! the ladder, and she soon knew that one
of them had found it.
"Backin she cried, as she saw head
above the threshold.
The candle upon the table threw but
dim light upon the spot, but it was
sufficient
She saw the robber raise pistol. She
had a husband-a child-and had set
herself to save the carrier. With these
thoughts dashing through her mind, she
pulled the trigger. A sharp report went
ringing through the house, and its echo
was a deep groan from the cellar bot
! tom.
Ere the second rObber could show
himself, Morton came rushing into the
room with pistol in each hand.
"What is it?" he cried.
"There! there!" gasped Polly, point
ing to the doorway, where a savage
looking face had just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been too much used
to danger to waste time in conjecture,
and Immediately shot the villain dead,
who fell with a heavy sound upon the
cellar floor.
In the morning, just rs the carrier
was dressed, there was rap at the door,
! accompanied by voice he knew full
well. He haStened to open the door,
and gave entrance to Jacob Burnap.
The hunter had met party of traders
at Lewisburg, and disposed of all his
skins to them, thus finishing his journey
six days earlier than he had anticipated
Polly was soon upon her husbands
| bosom, and when he had told them his
own story, Morton gave him the adven-
ture. Jacob was at first incredulous,
| but when he had seen the bodies he was
satisfied
"Polly, my Jewell" he said, placing
his arm around her neck, II am proud
of you. love you more and more, for
every day | find more to love" And
then, turning to Morton, ne added,
''What do you think of such wife?"
"Ah!" returned the guest, with deep
feeling, elf poor Liant Morton had such
a wife he wouldn't be mail carrier "
When Morton left he was directed to
stop at the first settlement and state to
the officers what had happened, and he
promised to do so. He once more
| blessed the brave woman who saved his
! life, and then set out. Late in the af-
ternOOn two officers arrived at the
cabin, and when they were shown the
dead bodies, at once proceeded to re-
move them. And ere week had passed
the whole settlement blessed the border
heroine for the work she had done.