The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-10-27

| Henderson.
AT one of the stores where she stop,
ped very gentlemanly looking person
took out his pocket book and said he
thought he could change it for her, and
she handed him the bill, but he had not
so much small money. He seemed to
regret this, however, and even follow
ed Maude to the door and assisted her
to remOunt her horse.
She was forced to give up her errand
as she did not like TO run about among
strangers asking to change her bill, es.
pecially as no one seemed able to do so.
She therefore turned her horses head
once more toward home. Scarcely had
she passed the outskirts of the town
when she was Overtaken by the strang.
er who had spoken with her in the last
store, and who at first thought he could
change her bill. He was mounted up
on fine looking bay horse, and salut-
ed her respectfully as he came along
side.
Did you get your bill changed?"
he asked.
" No small bills seemed scarce, -
she replied.
Do you live near here 2"
{" About five miles Off"
Quite ride"
Oh, we don't mind five miles in the
country"
d" You are an excellent rider"
have ridden since 1 was six years
old, she said "but my sister Ellen is
a better rider than l am"
You are generous to admit it," said
the stranger.
Why, it's only the TRUTH" she an
swered frankly.
After they had passed over about two
miles, they came to very lonely piece
of road, quite removed from any dwell
ling houses. Still, as the stranger ap~
peared so gentlemanly,an had address
ed her so politely, she had not the least
suspicion of any evil intention on his
part.
Presently he said suddenly, ~ will
thank you for that bill"
What?" said she half smiling.
Please give me that BILL"
What do you mean?" asked Maude.
Just what say I" he replied sud-
denly. Fl"
g shall do no such thing" she an
swered firmly.
ain sorry to draw a pistol upon a
lady," he continued, suiting the action
to the word, "but l must have that
hundred dollar bill at once"
Do you mean to rob me ?"
must have the money"
1t was with difficulty she could be-
lieve the man was in earnest, but when
he now cooked his pistol and held it to.
ward her with one hand, while he ex-
tended the other for the bill, she was
forced to yield to the necessity of the
situation. She was brave hearted girl
and even now she did not turn pale noI
tremble in the least she saw she could
not help herself and SO she made the
best of 1t.
Just as she held out the bill to him a
sudden gust of wind blew it into the
road and carried it gently several yards
from them. The stranger alighted tC
get it and quick as thought Maude
struck her horse smart blow in order
to get out of the robbers power. The
sOrrel mare was spirited little creature,
and sprang into smart gallop at once
while the strangers horse which had
been standing beside her, also started
of at full speed in her company.
Bang went the robbers pistol after
them, having only the effect to increase
the speed of the flying horses, both OF
whom were now on the dead run. Maude
did not care how fast she rode, the sOr.
rel was as easy as cradle at that speed,
and in ten minutes she dashed into her
fathers yard followed by the riderless
horse.
Her story wRs soon told, and her ia
ther was with difficulty prevented from
starting after the rObber with his pistols
and rifle, but he knew that the scoun-
drel would naturally take at once to the
woods where he could not follow or find
him.
" Well, we've got his horse at anv
rate" said the farmer, "and he's worth
more than hundred dollars"
Halo, master !" said the man John
who had been taking the saddle. bags
from the strange horse.
What is 1t. John ?"
" These bags are full of something. :"
" should think So" said the farm
er as he unstrapped the leather bags.
They we're found 20 contain some
counterfeit plates, quantity of cOun-
terfeit money in various bills, and also
little over fifteen hundred dollars in
good money
Iluzza 10 cried the farmer.
What is it, father ?" said Maude.
Why, your trip to EastOn has prov.
ed a profitable one at all events. Here's
over fifteen hundred dollars, good mo-
ney."
" All, but 1t will be claimed by the
owner"
Do you think a acOunterfeiter would
dare come for the tools that would con.
vict him ?-to say nothing Of highway
ROBBERY"
That evening Farmer Henderson sent
John over to young Masters with
message to call around and see him, to
which Harry responded Instantly.
Mr.. Masters" said the farmer, as
he came into the large, old ld-fashioned
sitting room, ''you remember what you
asked me this afternoon %
Yes SIR" ........
" Well, give my consent. Maude has
Just furnished her own marriage Dor.
uOn' Take her, my boy and be happy"