South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-03-01

the door and assisted her to remoun, her
horse. gsa nrc-f
She Was forced to give up her errand. !
as she did not like To run about among
strangers asking them to change her
bill, especially as no one seemed able to
do so. She, therefore, tnrne her lor se's
head once more toward home. Scarcely
had she passed the outskirts or the town
when ste was overtalIen by the stran-
ger who had spoken with her in the last
store, and who ut first thought he could
change her bill. lie was mounted up
on fine looking bay horse, aud saluted
her respectfully as he came alongside.
Did you get your bill changed?' lie
asked.
No; small hills seemed scarce. sho
replied
DO you live near heres'
About five miles otr'
Quite ride
oh, we don't mind five miles in the
country
You are an excellent rider
Il have ridden since | was six years
old she said but my sister Ellen is a
better rider than am
You are generous TO admit it, said
the stranger.
Why, it's only the TRUTH she IAN,
swered frankly.
After they had passed over about two
miles they came to very lonely pieco
of road. quite removed from any dwell.
ing houses. Still, as the stranger ap-
peared so gentlemanly &c had addressed
her so politely, she had not the least sus,
picion of any evil intention on his part
Presently be said suddenly, i will
thank you for that BILL
'What?' she said, bali smiling.
please give that bill
What do you mean?' asked Mauie
Just what say = he replied suddenly.
Il shall do no such thing she answer.
ed. firmly.
Il am sorry TO draw n pistol upon n
lady, he continued, suting the action
to the word but must have that hup.
dred.dollar bill at once
DO you mean to rob me =
1t was with difficulty she could believe
the man was III earnest; but when he
now cooked his pistol and held it toward
her with one hand while he extended the
other for the bill, she was forced TO WELD
10 the necessity OF the situation. She was
a brave-hearted girl, and even now she
did not turn pale or tremble in the least
but saw she could not help herself and
so made tho best of il.
Just as she held out the bill to him
sudden ruff Of wind blew it. into the
road and carried it several wards from
| them. The stranger alightci TO oct il
and, quick as thought, Maude struck her
horse smart blow, in order TO get ont
OF the robbers power. The sorrel marc
vas spirited little creature, and sprang
into smart gallop at once, while the
strangers horse which had been stand
ing beside her, also started Off at full
speed in her company
| Bang went tue robbers pistol after
them, having only the effect to increase
the speed OF the flying horses. both Of
whom were now on the dead run. Maude
did not care how fast she rode. the sor-
rel was as easy as cradle at that speed
and IN ten minutes she dashed into
her fathers yard, followed by riderless
| horse.
Her story was soon told. and her faith
or was with difficulty prevented from
starting after the robbcr with his pistol
and rifle, bat he knew that the Sound
! rel would naturally take at once to the
/ woods, where he could not follow him.
We'll. we've got his horse at any rate
said the farmer. and he is worth more
( than a hundred dollars.
( Hello, masterr said the man John
who had been taking the saddle bars
/ from The strange horse
What is IL, John2
I These bags is,full Of something.
: j should think so, said the farmer, as
he unstrapPed the leatbern bags.
/ They were found 20 contain some cou1.
| terfeit plates, q quantity Of counterfeit
/ money, in various bills, and also a little
over fifteen hundred dollars, good mon
/ ey.
'iIuzza y cried the farmer.
/ What is it, father?' said Maude.
why, your trip 10 EasLon has proved
n profitable one Al all events. Here's
over fifteen hundred dollars good mon.
eyr
'Ah. but it will be claimed by the
ownerv
DO you think q counterfeiter will are
20 come for the tools that would convict
him?-to say nothing Of highway rob
/ bcry?
Il didn't think Of that.
That evening farmer Henderson sent
John over TO young Masters with a mes.
sage 20 call around and see him. 10 which,
Harry responded instantly.
'Mr. Masters said tho farmer. IA la
came into the large old. fashioned sitting
room, you remember what you asked Of
me this afternoon
Yes. Sir
Wei, l give my consent. AIaude
Las just furnished her own marriage Dor.
ton. Take her. my boy, and be happy
- a Chicago man, visiting in Pitts.
ourgh. was cros5ieg lonely bridge, I
when n we'll dressed lady met him. Z