Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-05-05
THE BORDER HEROINE.


the eastern borders were carried on
horseback, there lived few miles above
HOrsehead stout pioneer, named Jacob
Burnap. His wife Polly and one child
nine years old made up bis family. His
chief business was hunting. and his uner-
ring rifle never failed to supply his board
and something over. His nearest neigh
Dor was fifteen miles off, so he was little
troubled with prying visitors. rfr
1t was III the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with a load of
iurs and skins. He left Polly i'm charge
Oh the premises; and he left her, too, a
light rifle and brace of pistols. She
Knew how to use the rifle, for never was
she happier than when her husband pat
ted her OH the shoulder and said: No
bly, done, Polly, 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 four
days, when towards eveninga horseman
rode up to the hunters door. He was a
small, muscular man, some forty wears of
age, and seemed Injured to all hardships.
As he sprang from his saddle. Pol,y
made her appearance. g -
"Ah. Polly, once more here" the new
conner said, as he drew "a well filled pair
OF saddle bags from the back of his IA
tigued beast. g
Yes, am glad to see you. Jacob has
been gone tour days, aid time is getting
heavy"
Jacob gone! Where's"
"Down the river. with 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.''
''Oh, feel safe enough" returned the
woman. quickly-'Only little lone
some"
Thus. speaking, Morton threw his sad
dlebags into the cabin and led his horse
around TO Il low shed, where he made the
animal fast and fed him.
After this he turned TO the dwelling
ami entered, and WAS soon discussing the !
events OF the time over an ample supDer. |
Ills hostess had told him all that had |
trinspired i'm the neighborhoOd since his |
last visit. and the visitor gave her all the
news OF the eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier up
on that route for several Years, and not
once had he passed TO AMI fro without
spending night at Jacob Burnap's. In
tact he was about the only regular Wis r
itor at the hunters cabin and although
the Intervals between his visits were
long. yet he seemed almost fixture to
the place. Polly Burnap. just in the
bloom of wOmanhOOd, knew his gentle,
generous, noble character, so she felt
perfectly free anu ut home in his pres.
ence.
lis it not known on the route that
your load is valuable ?" asked Polly.
think not-thOugh it may be. Still.
am well armed, and fancy it would be
very tough job for any one to tackle
oldaAlorton."
"A man was robbed on the creek few
days ago"
Morton, carelessly, rs he drew his mail
bags after him.
Morton went to bed ct niue o'clock, as
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 a little table where the candle
was and went TO work upon some CLOTH
ing for her child, who was sOundly sleep }
ing i'm a corner. rfsfv
The old German clock upon the vail, |
with it's great weight and wind strings |
all exposed, had just struck ten ere Pol !
w arose from her work. She had just |
pushed the basket beneath the table |
when the front door opened and two men |
entered. They were i'm their stockings, |
their shoes having been left outside.
s.Hush p uttered the foremost intruder.
"Speak one word above whisper, and
you die.p
Polly recovered from her quick terror
and looked up. She saw two stout,
wicked, ugly looking men, one who held
a cooked pistol towards her. With
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 i'm the foremost
a notorious villain who bore the name OF
Dick Gallus.
She had never seen him before, but the
minute description her husband had CIV
en- of the man led her to know him-and
positively, too, for one big scar on the
left cheek was mark enough.
"What do you want?" asked Polly,
without betraying the least fear. IL
ave have come TO see the mail carrier"
one replied, i'm hoarse whisper; "where
is he 2" -
ale is long since asleep. Would it not
do os we'll to see him i'm the morning?
We can find YOU a room and lodging"
Tbe fair hostess had said. this for the
purpose of gaining time. She knew
very well that these men had come to
rob the carrier, and was equally sure that
they would murder him If they could.
and would in all probability put ner OUT
of the way as well. They bad evidently
learned of the valuable load he carrieu'
and meant to carry it in his stead.
"Never mind his being asleep. ohow
us where he is at once" roughly replieu
Ga.lus, in answer to Polls last remark.
But can call him good sirS,' reason
eu the woman calmly, though there was
alarm in her soul.
Oaii him J" growled the william, with
nerce oath. "You call him, and you will
DC caled TO another world. Quick show s
Inc mild eye that could aim an uner-
ring Duliet at the forest beast did not {
even Detray the thoughts of the woman's j
soul, nor did look tell her meaning. |
She was very pale, but did not trernble. :
3 5''This way, sirs," she whispers.
And as she spoke she turned toward n ,
side door. She did not open it till both !
the men were close behind her. II
Don't You hear him breathe ?:'
'Yes," returned both Williams. !
And they did hear breathing, but ii :
was of a child close at hand.
AS they thus answered her she threw !
the door open-it opened inward. The I