Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-27
HEROISM OF TOE PLAINS.
The Last Mission Ora Gallant Young
Pony Rider.
potier's a ~ ar;oan MapthIy


Pony Rider.
POtter's Am erican Mouthly.l
There was an excited crowd gath
cred about the pony express station
at McPherson's. The western
bound rider had arrived with a
bullet in his leg, and reported that
the Pawnees were off their reserva-
ton and were advancing on the
settlement. He had met them be-
tween the last station and McPher-
sons, and they had given chase.
McPherson'S could boast of but
seyenty-hve souls at that time, be-
fore the railroad came, and there
were but forty men capable of de-
Tending the place. Whatever was
to be done had to be done quickly.
Fort Grattan was eighty miles
northwest, and a rider was dis
patched in haste. Fort Kearney
was seventy miles southwest, and
who would summon aid from there!
1t was a dangerous undertaking.
The route lay right through the
hostile country, and the messenger
would be almost sure to meet the
Indians. The pony-riders, as a gen.
eral thing, were fearless men, but
this proposition was frought with
SO much danger that they we're 10th
to undertake it.
"Ef Slade was only here!' cried
an old man, "ther'd be no hesitation
while wimen an children were in
danger. "
"1'll gol" and a bright-eyed, fear
less looking young fellow stepped
forth.
"Good," said the old man, press
ing his hand; cold Jim johnson
sez SO! Old Jim Johnsonl You
hear mel There's more sense in
Essex's cazeba than the hull lot
of you. Pick your hoss, boy, and
ride for your life. See, there's
Nelly lookin' at you. For her sake,
Willy, eff no ones else, Thirty-ive
helpless wimin an children think
of It'll Ride your lest, an when
you git to the station you may git
a relief. Post 'em there, and when
you git to the fort tell the COM
mander to send on some cavalry as
soon as possible. Fetch the soiers,
an' we'll send the reds to Californy!
Nelly Johnson's yourn as soon as
you git lback. Goodbye, boy, and
Good speed ye."
There was spring, a rush OF
hoofs, and the ride to Kearney was
begun. Right gallantly the horse
sprang away at his riders bidding,
and the eyes Of Nelly johnson kept
upon them until horse and rider
faded away from upon the horizon.
Love was one incentive for the
pony-rider's mission, and the desire
to save the people Of Mcpherson
from a bloody death was the other.
Did man ever risk life in a better
cause? Onward swept the little
horse, her flying heels throwing up
a cloud of dust which hovered in
the air for hundreds of yards be-
hind her. To the left of them
glided the still waters OF the Platte,
and on the right stretched the
boundless green Of the prairie.
The rider sat firm as 0 rock, his
dauntless face looking straight
ahead and wearing an air which
seemed to say it was all for the sake
Of Nelly johnson.
You may talk Of the Mamelukes,
the Tartar horSemen, the savage
Bedonins and all the wild riders,
but what are they to compare with
our American pony.riders - men
who were fearless and brayed every
danger; who ran the risk Of life in
every mile they dashed over; men
who were expected 10 do fifty miles
at top speed III daylight or dark,
rain or shine, hot or cold? But
the railroad has done away with the
pony-rider, and we hear no more
Of such exploits as that of the re-
nowned Jimmy Moore.
Onward swept the brave little
horse, and at last the station came
Id view. A minute more and the
horse and rider were at tho door.