Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-01-28
elected 5}listellanp.
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 carried
on horseback there lived few miles
above Horsehead, a stout pioneer named
Jacob Burnap. His wife Polly and one
child nine years old made up his family.
His chief business was hunting, and his
unerring rifle never failed to supply his
board and something over. His nearest
ncighbor was fifteen miles off, 80 be was
little troubled with prying visitors.
1t was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat-load
Of furs and skins He left Polly in
charge of the premises and he left her,
too, a light rife and brace of pistols
She knew how to use the rife. for never
was she happier than vixen her husband
pattcd her on the shoulder and said :
"Nobly done, Polly. my dear, | could
not have made a better shot myself"
And he had occasion to say this with
truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four
days, when towards evening horseman
rode up to the hunters door He was a
small, muscular man, some forty years
of age, and seemed Injured to all hard
ships AS he sprang from his saddle.
Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly, once more here" the
new conner said, as he drew wcll-filcd
pair Of sadde-bags from the back of his
tatigued beast
eyes, and am glad to see you.
Jacob has been gone four days, and time
is getting heavy"
Jacob gone Where ~
Down the river, with u load of furs
COB, 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" returned
the woman, quickly only lonesome
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
die bags into the cabin and led his horse
around TO a 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 late
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 Buanap's. In
fact, he was about the only regular visi-
tor at the hunters cabin; and although
the intervals between his visits we're
long, yet he seemed amosta fixture TO the
place Polly Buruap, just in the bloom
of womanhood, knew his gentle, gcner-
Gus, noble character so she felt perfect
ly free and at home in his presence
1T is not known on the route that
your load is valuable? ?" asked Polly.
Il think not-though it may be.
Still, / am well armed, and | fancy it
would be very tough job for any one to
tackle old Morton"
"a man was robbed on the creek a
few days ago "
hhu tbt IODDcTb nave Heu, AIDED
Morton. carelessy, 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 to do. having neglected it
while talking to her guest; 50 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 cloth
ing for her child, who was soundly sleep
ing in a corner
The old German clock upon the wall
with its great weight and wind strings
all exposed, had just struck ten ere Pol'
~ 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 :" uttered the foremost in-
/ truder