Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-04-27

sas was SO densely populated as now, and
when the mails from Little Rock to the east
ern 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
his family. His chief business was hunting
and his unerring rifle never failed to supply
his board, and something over. His nearest
neighbor was fifteen miles of, so he was little
troubled with prying visitors.
1t was in the early Spring that Jacob start
ed down the river with a boat load of furs
and skins. He left Polly in charge of 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 patted her on the shoul-
der and said: ''Nobly done, Polly, my dear;
| could not have made a better shot my
self"
And he had occasion to say this with truth,
too.
]aceb Burnap had been gone four days,
when towards evening horseman rode up
to the hunters door. He was a small mus
| cular man, some forty years of age, and
seemed Injured to all hardships. As he sprang
from his saddle, Polly made her appear
| ance
| ''Ah, Polly, once more here" the new
conner said, as he drew well-filled pair of
saddle-bags from the back of his fatigued
beast.
"Yes, and am glad to see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and time is getting
heavy"
Jacob gone? Where?"
Down the river, with load of furs.'
"0h, yes. Well, you shall have the COM
pany of Liant Morton for one night at least,
so tor the next twelve hours you'll be safe"
'Oh. feel safe enough" returned the wo-
man quickly-'only little lonesome.
Thus speaking. Morton threw his saddle
bags into the cabin and led his horse around
to a low shed, where he made the animal fast
and fed him.
After this he returned to the dwelling and
entered. and was soon discussing the events
Of the time over an ample supper. His
hostess had told him all that had transpired
in the neighborhood since his last vi sit, and
the visitor gave her all the news of the east
ern valley.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier upon
that route for several years, and not once
had he passed to and fro without spending
night at Jacob Burnap's. In fact, he was
about the only regular visitor at the hunters
cabin; and although the intervals between
his visits were long, yet he seemed almost a
fixture to the place. Polly Burnap, just in
the bloom of womanhood. knew his gentle
generous, noble character, so she felt per-
fectly free and at home in his presence.
at is not known on the route that your
load is valuable" asked Polly.
Il think not-though it may be. Still l
am well armed, and l fancy it would be a
very tough job for any one to tackle old
Morton"
"a man was robbed on the creek few
days ago"
"And the robbers have fed" added Nor
to, eorelaealx- ba draw bis mail baus after
him.
Morton went to bed at . 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
clothing for her child, who was soundly
sleeping in a corner.
The old German clock upon the wall, with
its great weight and wind strings all exposed.
mad Just struck ten ere Polly rose from her work
She had Just pushed the basket beneath the
table, when the front door opened and two
men entered They were in their stockings,
their shoes having been left outside.
Hush uttered the foremost intruder.
Speak one word above q whisper. and you
de-
Polly recovered from her quick terror and
looked up. She saw two stout, wicked, ugly
looking men, one who held a cooked pistol
toward 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 in this foremost a no.
torious william, who bore the name of Dick
Gallus.
She had never seen him before, but the
minute description her husband had given of
the man led her to know him-positively,
too, for one big scar on the left cheek was
mark enough.
What do YOU want 2" asked Polly, with
out betraying the least fear.
I'VE have come to see the mail carrier,
one replied, in a hoarse whisper; "where is
he?"
HE is long since asleep. Would it not
do as well to see him in the morning? We
can find you a room and lodging.
The fair hostess said this for the purpose of
gaining time. She knew very well that these
men had come to rob the carrier, and would
murder him if they could, and would in all
probability put her ont of the way as well.
They had evidently learned of the valuable
load he carried, and meant to carry it in his
stead.
Never mind his being asleep. Show us
where lie is at once, roughly replied Gallus,
in answer TO Polly's last remark.
"But can call him, good sirs, reasoned
the woman calmly, though there was alarm
in her soul.
"Call him, call him. growled the villain,
with fierce oath. "You call him, and you
will be called to another world. Quick, show
us the way"
The mild eye that could aim an uneering
bullet at the forest beast did not even betray
the thoughts of the woman's soul, nor did n
look tell her meaning. She was very pale,
but did not tremble.
This way, sirs she whispered.
And as She spoke she turned toward side
door. She did not open it till both the men
were close behind her.
Don't you hear him breathe?"
"Yes, returned both villains.
And they did hear breathing, but it was
of a child close at hand.
As they thus answered her she threw the
door open-it opened inward. The men saw
dark void, but they pressed forward. In IN
instant Pally Burnap leaped back. Gallus
was in front. With all her power the noble
woman threw herself against the rear man,
and the next moment both the robbers hay
sprawling on the cellar bottom
This had been the door opening to the deep
excavation, and the only means of egress was
10y a perpendicular ladder. Could this have
been moved, Polly would have pulled it up
Immediately; but II was spiked to its place
and she must let it remain. To close the
door would lie useless, for she had no ready
means to iasten it. So she did what she had
resolved upon from the first she sprang to
the fireplace and caught the trusty rifle, and,
cooking it she moved towards the open door
She heard the curses of the villains they
reached the ladder. and she soon knew that
one of them had found il.
Back" she cried, us she saw a head above
the threshold.
The candle upon the table threw but II dim
light upon the spot, but it was sufficient"
She saw the robber rinse pistol She had
| a husband-a child and had set herself to
save the carrier. With these thoughts dash
ing through her mind, she pulled the trigger.
A sharp report went ringing through the
house, and its echo was deep gIoan from
the cellar bottom.
Ere the second robber could show himself
Morton came rushing into the room with a
pistol in each hand.
"What Is it, he cried
There! there gasped Polly pointing to
the doorway, where II savage looking face
had Just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been too much used to
danger to waste time in conjecture, and i'm
mediately shot the villain dead who fell with
heavy sound upon the cellar floor.
In the morning, just as the carrier WAS
dressed. there was n rap on the door, accom-
panied by a voice he knew full we'll lie
hastened to open the door, and gave entrance
to Jacob Burnap. The hunter had met
party of traders at Lewisburg, and disposed
of all his skins TO them, thus finishing his
journey six days earlier than he anticipated.
Polly was soon upon her husbands bosom,
and when he had told them his own story,
Ia
at first incredulous, but when he had seen
the bodies he was satisfied
"Polly, my Jewell" he said, placing his
arm around hes neck, Il am proud of you.
/ love you more and more, for every day |
find more TO love" And then turning to
Morton he added "Whnt do you think of
such n wife
"Ah" returned the guest, with deep feel
ing, If poor Liant Morton had such wife
L., ,.rI1 1,,'t I.a Al