The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-03-13
Selfrt Sturp.
A BRAVE GIRL.

A BRAVE GlRL.
In the winter of 1S4l, gentleman
and his daughter, young lady, while
travelling through Canada, arrived about
nightfall at an old-fashioned tavern =
The gentleman concluded 10 stop there
instead of going on to the village of
s., which was ten miles distant, and
which they had thought to reach. The
ughter-Carrie-expressed her will
lingness, as the tavern presented a COM
Portable appearance, and they alighted,
when it was plainly to be seen that the
gentleman was quite lame-zso m'sshe<
that he was Obliged to use canes
The landlord came out, and calling a
boy to take the horse and sleigh to the
barn, he ushered Mr.. Spencer and his
daughter into pleasant sitting-room,
where bright fire was burning on the
hearth, which proved very acceptable to
our travellers, who had been in the sleigh
since morning
"Your room will be ready by supper
time, sir" said the landlord, as he left
the room and went into the bar-room.
Supper was shortly announced. and af
ter refreshing themselves Mr.. Spencer
and Carrie returned to the cosy sitting,
room, where they talked and chattered
until half.past eight They were then
shown to their room, which was on the
second story, in wing somewhat dis
tant from the main portion.
The room was very long with high
ceiling; on one side was window and
on the other a door; just above the door
was a bust OF King George III; the
room was very plainly furnished, con-
tanning two beds,a wash-stand and few
chairs.
Carrie took in the whole room at Q
glance, land it must be confessed had there
not been cheerful fire burning she would
have felt nervous about sleeping there
AS it was, the warm glow lit up the
room into comparative cheerfulness.
While she and her father sat by the
fire her eyes wandered to the bust above
the door, when she noticed that the eye.
balls had evidently been Knocked out
leaving two empty spaces.
"Wcll, Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer
presently, II think you had better lock
the door; am going to count my mon
ey."
After Carrie had done so he drew oal
q money. belt, heavy with bills, and pro
ceeded TO count them. While doing so
Carries eyes involuntary wandered again
to the bust, when to her horror and as,
tenishment. in place of the empty space:
were two glittering eyes, greedily watch
ing every movemen of her father.
The young girl could scarcely repres'
a scream; but controlling herself she
looked toward the fire, while her -fathel
went on counting large ron OF bills.
II must have been mistaken" though
the fair girl "What could make me
have such a strange fancy. though ?" sbt
continued, glancing again at tee bust.
The eyes were still there-two burn
ing, savage eyes, that frightened as Mr.
Spencer went on counting.
"Good Heavens p thought Carrie
"what shall we do! We are evidently
in q den of thieves, and will be murder
ed for my poor fathers money"
How 10 communicate their danger tc
her father without those terrible eyes no
ticing it, Carrie could not think sudden
ly a bright idea came to her.
"Father," she said aloud, "let me taxi
card and pencil; I wish to make
memorandum of some items ] want Il
purchase in the village"
Her father handed them to her, ate
slowing away his belt. Carrie wrote
trembling, in fine hand: :.
"Father, do not be frightened we ar
in trap; go to the opposite corner Q
the room where your face will be in tb
dark, and look at the bust above tn
door; in it you will see two glitterin
eyes that have watched you count you
money"
"Read It," she said aloud, handing tn
card to her father, II want you to see
I am too extravagant."
| Her father betrayed no emotion Will
he read, but said:
"You are pretty extravagant, Carrie
I suppose you think your father is mad
of money" and he arose and went to th
washstand which was in a dark corner.
| Once there he glanced toward th
bust, and that glance confirmed hi
daughters extraordinary statement
When he came back to his seat CARR
saw that the eyes were gone. Their
} leaning toward her father, she said in
: low tone:
"You see it is as have said; I hav
thought of plan, however, by whic
J we can both escape. You would be pc
fectly helpless in an affray of any kin
on account of your lame leg, so mu
, try to save us both"
Then followed a whispered consult
! ton, during which Carrie kept her ey,
: fixed on the bust, but the glittering orl
t had not come back. AS she conclude
Carrie went to the window and threw
up and looked out; beckoning to her I
ther, who came, she said or rather viii
lpered:
"You see this shed, father? We
they will probably come up on it al
u get through the window. lido not thil
!, they will make an attack before twel,
! so will get out Of this window, jun
from the shed, go to the barn and ia
our horse, and 60 to s. for help"
S. Flinging wrap over her slight fgu
n she embraced her father tenderly, a
is bidding him not worry over her, s
$ jumped lightly out on the shed and d
le appeared.
n Mr.. Spencer watched her for awhi
E. then closing the window took out
@ watch, saw that it was nine o'clock. q
d proceeded to work. He first covered
d the FIRE, blew out the light. and rolled
ct blanket with which he made DUNN
(, this he placed in the bed which
20 daughter was to occupy. Then he {
a down and waited-oh, how anxiously
g Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes went
IN ard no sound came from the vicinity
g the barn; taking Oh his boots he Gre
ir noiselessly to the window and peep
D, out, but he could see nothing; th
8. creeping to the washstand he laid
\. \