The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-02-03

board and something over HIS near
est neighbor was fifteen miles of, g
he was little trouble with pryinl
visitors.
ItWas early in the spring that ila
cob staftad down the river with
I'iidat-l -loaa e furs and SKINS 2 les
4Sliy ia charge Of the premises; AMI
heleft hsr, too, alight rifle anda brac,
of pistols. She knew how to use thu
rifle, for never was she happier thai
when her husband patted her on tn,
shoulder and said; "NobIy done, Pol
ly, my dear, 1 could not have made
better shot myself"
And he had occasion to say this
with truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone foul
days, when towards evening horse
man rode up. to the hunters door,
He was a small, muscular man, some
forty years ofage, and seemed Injured
to all hardships. As he sprang from
his saddle, Polly made her appear.
ance,
"Ah; Polly, once more here" the
new conner said, as he drew, a well
filled pair of saddle-bags from the
backs of his fatigued beast.
"Yes, and l am glad to see you
Jacob has been gone four days and
time is getting heavy"
"Jacob gone? Where2"
"Down the river, with u 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, I feel safe enough" returned
the woman quickly-'only a little
lonesome
Thus speaking, Morton threw his
saddle-bags into the cabin and led
his horse around to a low shed, where
he made the animal fast and fed
him. s''6S'-' ,rsSs-'s
After this he returned to thedwel
ling and entered, and was soon dis.
cussing the events of the time over
an ample supper. His hostess had
told him all that had transpircd in
the neighborhood since his last visit,
and the visitor gave her all thenews
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 a night at Jacob
Burnap's. In fact, he was about the
only regular visitors at the hunters
cabin, and although the intervals be-
tween his visits were long, yet he
seemed almost fixture to the place.
Polly Burnap, just in the bloom Of
womanhood, knew his gentle, gencr-
Gus, noble character, so she felt per
fectly free and at home in his pres
ence.
at is not known on the route that
your load is valuable?" asked Polly,
81 think not-though it may be-
Still, l am well armed, and l fancy
it would be a very tough job for any
one to tackle old Morton.
"a man was robbed on the creek a
few days ago"
"And the robbers have fled, added
Morton, carelessly, as he drew his
mail bags after him.
Morton when to bed at nine o'clock
as he was tired from his long ride
Polly had work to do, having neglect
ed it while talking to her guests; SC
when she had seen him safe at rest
she drew her basket to a little table
where the candle was, and went tc
work upon some clothing for hel
child, who was soundly sleeping in Q
corner.
The old German clock upon the
wall, with its great weight and wine
string all exposed, had just struck
ten ere Polly rose from her work.
had just pushed the basket beneath
the table when the front door open
ed and two men entered. They wert
in their stockings their shoes having
been left outside.
"Hush" uttered the foremost in
trudcr.
"Spcak one word above a whisper
and you dic!'
Polly recovered from her quick ter