The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-04-26
THE BORDER HEROINE.

Some years ago, before the State of
Arkansas was SO densely populated as
now, and when the mails from Little
Rock to the western borders were car
ried on horseback, there lived few
miles above Horsehead stout pioneer
named Jacob Eurnap. His wife Polly
ard one Child nine years old made up his
family. His chief business was hunting,
and his unelring rifle never failed to sup
ply his board and something over. His
nearest neighbor was fifteen miles of, so
he was little troubled with prying visit
0IS.
It was in the early spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat-load
of furs and skins. He left Polly in
charge of the premises; and he LETT her,
too, light rifle and brace Of pistols.
She knew how to use the rifle, for never
was she happier than when her husband
paSted her on the shoulder and said {:
.No0ly done, Polly, my dear; I could
not have made be.ter SHOT myself"
And he had occasion to say this with
truth. zoo.
JACOB Burnap had been gone four days,
when toward evening q horseman rode
up TO the hunters door. He was small,
muscular man, some forty years of age,
and seemed Injured to all hardships. As
he spran3 ftom his saddle, Polly made
her appearance.
"Ah, Polly, once more here,'' the new
conner said, as he drew q well-tilled pair
of saddle bags from the back Of his
fatigaed beast.
eyes, and am glad to see you. Jacob
he's been gone four days, and time is get
.;rg heavy"
"Jacob gomez Where?"
"Down the river, with load of furs.' >
"Oh, ye-. Well, you shall have the
least, so for the next twelve hours you'll
be safe.''
"Oh, I feel safe enough" F." returned the
woman quickly-"Only a little lone.
some"
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad
dle-ba3s into the cabin and led his horse
around to low shed, where he made thu
animal fast aud fed him.
After this he returned to the dwelling
and entered, and was soon discussing th.
events OF the time over an ample supper
His ho3;e~- had I'D him all that hat
transpired Il ne peighborhood since hi
last visit, anG tie visitor gave her all tn
} news OF the ease i valley.
Liant Mo. Ton had been mail carrie
} upon thai loute for several years, and no
once had he passed to and fro withou
) spending night at Jacob Burnap's. II
fact, he wcs ABOUT the only regular Wis
? itor at at the hunters cabin; and al
3 though the intervals between his visit
. were loly, yet he seemed almost fix
e ture to Tie place. Polly Burnap, just il
the bloom o. womanhood, knew his gen
J. tie, generous, noble character, 80 she fel
: pei iectly free and at home in his pres
q ence.
II: is not known on the route ths
n your load is valuable?' asked Polly.
e Il think not-though it may be. Still
am we'll armed, and fancy it woul
e be a very Tough job for any one to tack
e old Mo,;on."
"a man was robbed on the creek a fe
e days ago."
r. iAnd the robbers have fled," adde
p Morton, care'essly, es he drew his mai
r. bags alter lin.
r Norton went to bed at nine o'clock,
n he was ,:led ON his long ride. Poll
d had wozk 10 do, having neglected
er while talking 20 her guest; so when 81
q had seen Ii: sac at rest she drew h
basl.e 20 little table where the cand
le wss: ID went 10 work upon some clot
it ing tor her child, who was soundly slee
,e ing in corner.
a. The Cd German clock upon the wa
as with - great we; ;g;.lt and wind strings
T.. exposed had just struck ten ere Pol
,g rose e:on her work. She had just push
he the basket beneath the table when t
en- front door opened ana .wo men entere
m They were il Inc: stockings, their she
Id having beel lett outside.
he "Hush I" uttered the foremost intrud,