Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-21
NO. SO.
Miseellaneons.
THE BORDER HEROINE.

Some years ago, before the State of Ar.
kansas was SO densely populated as now,
and when the mails from Little Rock TO
eastern borders were carried on horse
back, there lived few miles above Horse
head a stout pioneer named Jacob Burnap.
His wife Polly, and one child nine years
old, made up his family. His chief busi-
ness was hunting, and his unerring rifle
never failed to supply his board, and
something over. His nearest neighbor
was fifteen miles off, so he was little
troubled with prying visitors.
Ii was in the early Spring that Jacob
started down the river with boat load OF
furs and skins. lie left Polly in charge OF
the premises; and he left her, too, 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 shoulder and said: ''Nobly
done, Polly, my dear; could not have
made better shot myself"
And he had occasion to say this with
truth, too.
Jacob Burnap had been gone four days,
when towards evening horseman rode
up to the hunters door, He was a small
muscular man. some forty years of age.
and seemed Injured TO all hardships. As
he sprang from his saddle, Polly made
her appearance.
"Ah, Polly. once more here" the new
conner said, as he drew a wel-filed pair
of saddle-bags from the back of his ia
tigued beast.
"Yes, and am glad to see you. Jacob
has been gone four days, and time is get
ting heavy
"Jacob gone? Where?''
NJ tl,a -, x,,;t
"Oh, yes. Well you shall have the
company of Liant Morton for one night at
least. so for the next twelve hours you'll
be safe.''
"Oh, feel safe enough" returned the
woman quickly-"ouly little lonesome
Thus speaking, Morton threw his sad.
die bags into the cabin aud led his horse
around to 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 trans.
pired in the neighborhood since his last
, visit, and the visitor gave her all the news
of the eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier up
on that route for several years, and not
once had he passed to aud fro without
spending a night at Jacob Burnap's. In
fact, he was about the only regular visit
or at the hunters cabin: and although
the intervals between his visits were long
vet he seemed almost a fixture to the
place. Polly Burnap, just in the bloom
| of womanhood, knew his gentle, gener-
| oUs, noble character, so she felt perfectly
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
| am well armed, and | fancy it would be
very tough job to tackle old Norton
"A man was robbed On the creek few
days ago"
"And the robbers have fed,' added
Morton, carelessly, as he drew his mail
bags after him.
Morton went 10 bed at o'clock, as he
was tired from his long ride. Polly had
work to do, having neglected it while talk
ing 10 her guest; so when she had seen
| him safe at rest she drew her basket to
little table where the candle was. and went
to work upon some clothing Cor 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. had 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 hay-
| ing been left outside.
Hush ~ uttered the foremost intruder.
| "Speak one word above whisper, and
you die =
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 quick
ness 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 the foremost uotori-
Gus 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--posi-
lively, too, for one big scar ON the left
cheek was mark enough
"What do you want?' asked Polly,
without betraying the least fear
1--WE have come to see the mail carrier"
one replied in a hoarse whisper; ''where
is he ?n
''He is long since asleep. Would it not
| DO as well to see him in the morning
We can find you room and lodging"
The fair hostess had said this Tor the
purpose of gaining time. She knew very
well that these men had come to rob the
carrier, and was equally sure that they
would murder him ii they could, ami
would in all probability put her out of the
way as well. They had evidently learned
of the valuable load he cal ried, and meant
to carry it in his stead.
"Never mind his being asleep. Show
us where he is at once" roughly replie
Gallus. in answer TO Polly's last remark.
"But l can call him. good sirs." rea-
soned the woman calmly, though there
was alarm in her soul.
Call him callr' growled the william.
with fierce oath. "You call him. aud
you will be called to another world.
Quick, show us the way"
| The mild eye that could sim an uneer-
ing bullet at the forest beast did not even