Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-12-13

aloud. '.How long do you think she
has been gone, si:?'' asked the land

!,
ful jade!" replied Mr.. Spencer.
''Then there is no use to look for
her, sir, said the landlord.
"Oh, but l mustl" cried Mr..
Spencer, as he began to descend the
stairway, followed by the landlord,
who had believed every word Mr..
Spencer said.
They proceeded to the barn, fol-
lowed by the landlord confederates.
They found the horse gone, and her
mode of fight was easily explained.
"You may as well give her up,
sir" said the landlord, consolingly.
Il suppose l may" groaned Mr..
Spencer, and they returned to the
shouse.
AS they left the barn he heard the
landlord whisper to one his confed-
crates:
1.-The job is up, Jim-we'd better
let the old man alone.''
Once more entering the room, Mr..
Spencer threw himself upon the bed
and awaited the return of his brave
daughter.
"['od bless her and bring her back
in safety" he murmered.
Meanwhile all grew still, and the
hours rolled by. The fire had been
raked up and cracked on merrily.
The eyes were not looking from the
bus; they had evidently disappeared
for the night.
Al last, after what seemed an age
to the anxious watcher, he heard a
loud knock on the font entrance, ,and
five minutes afterward heard the
| landlord stumble to the door. Then
followed a confused tumble of curses
and struggles, then rush of many
feet up the long hall and stairway.
The next minute the door was
thrown open and his daughter rushed
in, followed by the officers, who drag
ged in the landlord and his confed-
crates.
"Oh, father" she cried, you are
safe. and throwing her arms around
his neck the brave girl burst into hap
py tears.
The sheriff and his posse of men
held the landlord and his confcderates
in vice-like grasp, while Carrie relat-
ed the adventures OF her perilous
ride
After left tie barn l led Tommy
to fence, all unsaddled, sprang on
him. wound my arms tightly around
his neck, and whispered o.
my.' and away he went like the wind.
Up and down, over the frozen road
we went. My arms were like ice. l
thought | should certainly freeze, and
after what seemed to be an age of
cold and pain and misery We dashed
into the main street of S.. As
we came up in front of the tavern the
stage drove up and the inmates sprang
ont and rushed to my assistance. L
must have been almost insensible, for
had to he carried in by the landlord.
wa, given warm drinks until l fully
recovered. and was able to relate my
story. / then told my suspicious and
nv fears, and this gentleman here
Carrie paused, and turning to a fine
looking man near her, said ''Mr.
James, by his ready belief what l
told, and his energy and spirit in
arousIng the sheriff and his men, has
been the main cause in bringing as
sistance.
Mr.. Spencer grasped the young
mans hand and thanked him.
Your plan succeeded admirably,
Carrie" he said, and advancing to
the wash-stand he took out the money
belt. saying, "my money is all right
as YOU see
The landlord quiverd with rage as
he saw how completely he had been
defeated.
As the men began to search the
room, the landlord protested his in
nocence, declaring that they had no
right to hold him or his men prisoners.
or to search the house.
Breaking open the door above which
was the bust, the men rushed in. The
room empty save for a long ladder
which reached q shelfabC the door.
| A hole above the shelf disclosed the
/ bust to be broken III half, so that
man could easily Climb up the ladder,
oet on the shelf, thrust his head iii
the bust, which was large enough for
an ordinary mans head, and see all
that was going on in tie adjoining
room.
This certainly looked suspicious,
but absolute proof was yet wanting.
On returning to the room occupied by
Mr.. Spencer, they again searched
every nook and corner. Suddenly
Carrie and Mr.. James, who had been
standing by the fireplace, 'gave a
loud cry, for on close examination
they had found spots of blood on the
bricks which formed the hearth.
They began to pull up the bricks
which proved to be loose, when Car
rie, feeling faint, gave way to the
sheriff and his men, who soon had
had them all pulled up, when cavity
was discovered containing the mur.
dered body of gentleman whom Mr.
James and the sheriff remembered tc
/ ha,,a ctopnnd at S-fhrae tiayS he.