Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-08

jumped lightly out on the shed and dis.
appeared.
Mr.. Spencer watched her for a while,
then closing the window, took out a
watch, saw that it was nine O'Clock,
and proceeded to work. He first cover
ed up the fire, blew out the light, and
rolled up blanket, with which he
made dummy. This he placed in the
bed which his daughter was to occupy.
Then he sat down and waited-oh, how
anxiously!
| Ten, fifteen, twenty inmates went by,
and no sound came from the vicinity Of
the barn. Taking off his boots, he
crept noiselessly to the window and
peeped out, but he could see nothing.
Then creeping to the washstand he
laid his money-belt in the drawer and
closed it. He then threw himself on
| the bed and once more waited.
| After an hour had apparently gone
by, Mr.. Spencer threw of his coat and
vest, tumbled up the bed, hohbled to the
door, unlocked it, and stepped out into
the hall. This was all in accordance
with Carries plan.
Landlord! landlord" he shouted.
He then went back into the room and
noiselessly threw up the window, all
the time shouting for the landlord.
That worthy came flying up the
stairs. and late as it was. he was still
dressed.
''Oh, landlord" gasped Mr.. Spencer,
rushing toward him, II have been
robbed my money all gone"
"Gone :" echoed the landlord in dis
may.
"Who could have stolen til" groaned
Mr.. Spencer. Il had five thousand
dollars in belt. and it is gone
stolen,"
The landlord lit the candle and look
ed around, chagrln depicted on every
feature.
why don't you wake your daughter,
sir?" he questioned.
Mr.. Spencer hurried to her bed.
Carrie, Carrie !" he called, but no
answer came, and the landlord, draw
inc near with the light. saw the dummy,
and cried,-
why, man, the girl isn't there!'
''What??" gasped Mr.. Spencer. "Oh,
see it all. The wicked girl has robbed
me while l slept,and run off to meet her
lover, from whom 1 was taking her."
He ran to the window, followed ~
the fssi 81. me- Fylg..sfiats n
snow on the shed!" cried the landlord, |
while Mr.. Spence groaned aloud. How
long do you think she has been gone,
slr?" asked the landlord.
For an hour or more, the deceitful
jade" replied Mr.. Spencer.
Then there's no use to look for her,
sir" said the lord.
''Oh, but l must! !" 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, followed
by the landlords confederates. They
found the horse gone, and her mode Of
flight was easily explained.
'You may as well give her up, sir"
SAID The landlord consolingly.
u suppose l may" groaned Mr..
Spencer, and they returned to the
house.
As they left the barn he heard the
landloard whisper to one his confeder-
ates,-
The jobs up, Jem-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.
God bless her and bring her back in
safety" he murmmed.
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 bust;
they had evidently disappeared for the
night.
At last, after what seemed an age to
the anxious watcher, he heard a loud
knock on the front entrance, and five
minutes afterward heard the landloard
stumble to the door. Then followed a
confused tumble Of curses and struggles
then a rush of many feet up the long
hall and stairway.
The next minute the door was thrown
open and his daughter rushed in. fol-
lowed by the officers, who dragged in
the landlord and his confederates.
''Oh, father" she cried, you are
Sdlc. Salt anu lLloNiuS ueE dIillS
around his neck the brave girl burst
into happy tears.
The sheriff and his posse Of men held
the landlord and his confederate in a
vicelike grasp, while Carrie related the
adventures Of her perilous ride.
After l left the barn | led Tommy
to fence, all unsaddled. sprang on
him. wound my arms tightly round his
neck, and whispered, go. Tommy ?"
and away he went like the wind. Up
and down, over the frozen road we
went! Ny arms felt like ice. thought
l should certainly feeze. 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 out and rushed
to my assistance. l must have been
almost insensible, for had to be car
ried in by the landlord. 1 was given
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