The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-19

from market. 1 hope you've been sue
cessful"
Pretty well,'' curtly replied the girl,
who was inclined usually to be reserved
to strangers.
Why, you've an empty basket per-
ceive. DO you know 1 was not so far off
as you might think 1 saw you while
you were making your bargains" said
the gentleman, looking straight at Su-
san with knowing look.
"Well, returned she, raisingher eye
brows. :" had notion that caught
sight of your face once but seeing 1t
belonged to man in a smock-frock, of
course took no heed"
The stranger laughed, and there was
something in his manner which made
Susan feel uncomfortable. He soon re-
marked on her taciturnity, and asked
her why she was so silent.
don't care to talk much to stran-
gers" she replied.
But have told you my name, and
you may judge when you see gentle
man" said he.
How do know that you are gen.
tleman ?" asked Susan, bluntly. "I
think it's very bad manners to ask SO
many questions. AT all events, it's not
the way simple folks are taught
Who do you think 1 can be, then,
Susan, my dear ?" inquired the horse
man smilingly.
You may be highwayman, for
aught 1 know" courageously exclaimed
the girl.
" What good guesser you are, my
dear - cried the horseman. "Suppose L
take you at your word, and ask you after
the fashion of real highwaymen, to let
me look at your purse?''
" don't carry purse" replied the
girl now somewhat alarmed, and believ-
ing that her suspicious as to his strange
behavior were not without foundation.
do you see this ?" said the man, in
ajeering tone, drawing small pistol
from his breast-pocket. It's little
instrument carry to induce people to
tell the truth. Perhaps it will make you
do so. Come, out with your money!"
he added, in o rough voice, catching
hold of Jerry's bride at the same mo-
ment.
Susan was spirited girl, but she turn
ed pale. They had arrived at part of
the road where it sank between high
hedges, and rising ground on either
side hid it entirely from view.
1t was becoming dark, and as Susan
looked right and left she heard nothing
but the faint breeze among the trees,
and the chirp of the grasshopper in the
long reeds at the roadside, and all idea
of assistance from casual passenger she
knew to be almost hopeless. Though
quite faint with terror, she rallied all
her courage, and determined to brave
out the attempt of the man to rob her of
money.
For one moment hope revived. The
stranger dismounted, and passed his
bride over the low overhanging bough
Of an aldertree, and Susan took the OPP
portunity to whi p Jerry into something
like trot; but she had not proceeded
many yards when the man came run
ming after, easily overlook her, and
laughing derisively, led her horse back
to the same spot, where he again asked
her to deliver up her purse to his care.
Better do it quietly, Susan my DEAR"
he urged. 81 shall take it by hook or
by crook"
Susan still stoutly refused, declaring
with many assertions that she carried
no purse.
"Well, then, we must try what can be
done by searching. It's tiresome pro-
cess, but I'm very patient, and not press
ed for time tonight"
He lifted Susan out of her saddle as
easily as if she had been a baby, unsad-
died Jerry, turning him loose to Craze
as he pleased, and commenced searching
her baskets. Finding nothing but few
parcels of tea, calico, and ribbon, which
he carelessly threw down in the road, he
next begged the terrified giil to remove
her hat and cloak, and coming close to
her, began feeling for her pockets.
Susan's indignation knew no bounds
but the robber only laughed, and told
her he should take every means to ex-
tract the gold from her, and taking out
a large clasp knife, he said, "It's such
pity to cut this pretty bodice asunder !;
but must, II you are so obstinate.
Bless you, do you think I've been years