The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-02-23

what you tell me?
Bill Lyons, she remembered, was a
blacksmith employed on the Hill Farm.
"Course I is" he answered. 81 was
standin' on de gallery by de parlor
door, when Hill he coined from Harris
onburg, where he had been sellin' a lot
OBJ cattle. 1 was fxin' de lock, an he
neber seed me. Iseed him put de money
in de top drawer OBJ de desk, an he said
to de ole CONAN: Sally, Pse sort O.
feared to keep all dis money in de house
tonight, but it's too late to 60 to town"
every well; Pm going on your word,
and if you've lied, you know how set
tie with folks, don't you? Now do you
remember all you've got to do?"
eyes, Use got de kerosene an de
matches, an we's to fire de barn, an
when de folks runs out we's to break in
to de drawer an take de money, and den
we're to share an share alike"
"Pll be bound you remember that" :"
said the rufian with a hoarse laugh.
rs the parlor locked?"
! Ell IL Is, Aclc d hcy, anu uc uelu
something up.
every well. Now for my mask. I've
got an account to settle with the old
man at the farm, for he's been a perse-
cutin' me, and l reckon he'll lose some
money tonight, and something else, too,
if he don't keep out of my way"
The man mounted his horse, and, shak-
ing in every limb, Elsie watched them
ride slowly down the road.
What could be done to save her friends
from the evil fate which was creeping
upon them? Like a flash she remem-
bered an unused path which, stsiking
from the road, cut off more than half q
mile. She could not be far from the
path, which led directly to Mr.. HilPs
back yard; in fact, it was one made by
the little girls and herself on their nut
ting expeditions. The men were moving
slowly down the road. She could strike
across and get to the farm before them.
The little tired feet grew feet when
she thought of this. Yes, here is the
turning, for dark as it was getting, the
starlight showed her the hickory tree
which stood where the path entered the
road. She plunged into it, the briers
tearing her at every step. But she felt
nothing, needed nothing, until she stood
beneath the window of Mrs. Hills bed
room. The dog had growled at her, but
| .l - of ba unioa had
grown quiet again. She raped at the
window.
"Who is that?' called out Mr.. Hill,
startled from his sleep.
"It's me-Elsie Layton. Don't make
a noise, but let me in.''
"Elsiep' cried the astonished couple,
opening the door, and the little girl stag
gered in, and for a moment thought she
would faint, so utterly exhausted and
overcome was she. But there was much
to be told, and as soon as Mr.. Hill,under-
stood the peril before him, he called his
son, and posting him in the room where
the money was deposited, fastened HIM
self to the barn.
"Don't be scared" he said as he went
out, "if you hear shot or two. I'll have
the advantage of the rascals, for they
won't expect me, and I shall be looking
for them. Willis, too, is well armed,
and l reckon two are enough to deal
with such fellows"
Nearly quarter of an hour passed,
and the dog barked furiously, but sud-
denly ceased.
"He knows Bill" whispered Mrs.
Hill; that's silenced him."
The light had been put out in the
house, and the watchers sat silent and
expectant. Then came shot at the
barn, and another loud report, and Mr..
Hills voice shouting:
"Pve got one of 'em safe. The other
is running as fast as his legs will carry
him down the road"
In a few minutes Mr.. Hill was back at
the house.
"I haven't killed the scamp, and am
very glad OF it. l only intended to
wound him, so as to prevent his doing
mischief. It's Dick Simmons, and I've
secured him so that he will be safe until
the authorities can take him to town.
Now, wife, I want mattress and some
linen. If the fellow is scamp, he must
be treated humanely."
Now that the excitement was over,
Elsie's thoughts returned to her father
"Oh, l must go" she cried. 81 was
afraid while those men were on the road
Goodnight ALL.
Mr.. Hill laid his hand on her shoulder
"Going to trot back OH those tired lit
tie feet of yours, eh, and past midnight
Willis, harness up the buggy right off
and take Elsie home; and he can bring
the doctor back with him, if he's no
needed by your father. l haven
thanked you, my little girl, though
you've saved my property, and possibly
my life, too. But Pll never forget it
, and possibly 1 may be able to do you 1
good turn before long. I'm proud o
! you, my child, and your father is hap
! py man to have such daughter"
Speeding along in the buggy, the nigh
seemed hideous dream to little Elsie
, Would she ever forget it, or would he
heart ever cease beating so strangely
1t was dream, however, which had
happy ending, for when she reache
home and entered her fathers room-t
the utter astonishment of DIR. Wilson
!, who thought her safe in Pineville-sh
found matters going on we'll. Her fathe
was sound asleep, and not as seriousl
hurt as he had thought, although his lie
was fractured.
Z So little Elsie knelt down to her pray
> ers with a heart full of thankfulnes
She will probably never forget the te
, rors of her midnight walk, but then 81
l. will also remember the good it accon
plished.