Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-21
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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 child close at hand
As they thus answered her she threw the
door open--it opened inward. The men
saw a dark void. but they pressed forward.
In an instant Polly Burnap leaped back.
Galus was in front. With all her power,
the noble woman threw herself against the
rear man. and the next moment both the
robbers Law sprawling on the cellar bottom.
This had been the door opening to the
deep excavation, and the only means of
eeress was by perpendicular ladder.
Could this have been moved, Polly would
have pulled it up Immediately; but it was
spiked TO its place and she must let II re-
main. To close the door would be useless,
for she had no ready means te fasten it. SO
she did what she had resolved upon from
the first-she spraDg to the fireplace and
caught the trustv rifle, and, cooking 1t she
moved towards the open door. she heard
the curses of the villains as they reached
the ladder, and she soon knew that one OF
them had found it.
.Back = she cried, rs she saw head
above The threshold.
The candle upon the table threw but
dim light upon the spot, but it was sufii'
cient.
She saw the robber raise pistol. She
had husband--a child--and had set her
self to save the carrier. With these
thoughts dashing through her mind, she
pulled the trigger. A sharp report went
ringing through the house, and its echo
was deep groan from the cellar bottom.
j Ere the second robber could show HIM
self, Morton came rushing into the room
with pistol in each hand.
"What is ii p be cried.
There therem gasped Polly, point
ing to the doorway where . savage look.
ing face had just presented itself.
Liant Morton had been too much used TO
danger to waste time in conjecture. aud
Immediately shot the villain dead who fell
with heavy sound upon the cellar floor.
Ia the morning, just as the carrier was
dressed, there was IA rap on the door, ac
companed by voice he knew full WELL
lie hastened to open the door, and gave
entrance TO Jacob Burnap. The hunter
had met party of traders at Lewisburg,
anu uicpOstu vi all MS chiiis W htitibs bhu7
finishing his journey six days earlier than
he anticipated.
Polly was soon upon her husbands
bosom, and when be had told them his
own story, Morton gave him the adven-
ture. Jacob was at first incredulous, but
when he had seen the bodies he was salts
fed.
Polly, my jewel" be said. placing his
arm around her neck, II am proud of you.
love you more and more, for every day
| find more to love" And then turning to
Morton he added: "What do You think
of such wife ?'' 'H
"Ahr' returned the guest, with deep
feeling, IF poor Liant Morton had such a
wife he wouldn't be mail carrier"
When Morton left he was directed to
stop at the first settlement and state TO the
officers what had happened, and he prom
ised 10 do so. He once more blessed the
brave woman who saved his life, and then
set out. Late in the afternoon two officers
arrived at the cabin, and when they were
shown the dead bodies, at once proceeded
to remove them. And, ere week had
passed, the whole settlement blessed the |
border heroine for the work she had done.
.--NeOburYport Herald