The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-01-11
Ss frf Sforv.
A HIGHWAYMAN OUTWTTTED
Or, Exchange No Robbery.

/ From london Society, Christmas Number, 1871.
/ D.ngie farm was s,ich pretty place
harmingly situated at the foot OF 8
slope, 1t commanded an extensive view
ola beautiful Ken,ish valley. the ground
raising 10 a ridge Of souded hills in the
far distance.
It's s,eep lied roof covered with yel.
low llchens indicated its antiquity, and
he numerous farm buildings riHks and
barns, which s'ood around in picrur
esque confusion, m irked i, as veal b,
and pros ,eruis in language of their
own. An orchard Of venerable. but not
the less full bearing. apple and pear frees
ran up 'he incline behind The house the
pas ure fields we're interseCted bv woods
Of oaks. under which tangled mass of
underground lent wild beauty TO the
spot, t birds keeping up sweet in
cessant concer: from sunrise to sunset
in The branches above.
Two shady lanes led down TO Dingle
farm from the high road, which was
more than half mile distant. This old
and attractive place had been for gener
ations in the possession OF the Dales, a
Respectable and wealthy family of farm
ers, and among the villages and country
round was better known by the name
OF Dale's farm. 1t was inhabited at the
time off our story-the latter part of the
last centary-by old Mr.. Dale and his
widowed daugh,er-in-law. Richard
Dale, her husband, died soon after the
birth of their youngest child, the only
surviving son out of four, three of whom
died in infancy.
This boy now 13 years old, was dotted
On by his grandfather and widowed
mother. An orphan gr rlndchild of old
Mr. Dale's-a bright, clever girl of 20,
named Susan idolph-lived with them
since the death of her mother, his only
daughter, and WAS Mrs. DLleis right
hand. She directed the servants looked
after the dairy, fed the poultry, kept the
accounts, and always went to market on
market days, Mr. Dale being now too in
firm to undertake the journey and trans
act business
The market was held at Hazleton, a
Town distant about seven miles; and
hither the farmers sent their cattle.
poultry and vegetable produce for sale
the first Wednesday in every month.
These journeys we're attended with some
anxiety and not little danger from high
waymen, who still infested the roads.
and who did not fail TO make use of
market day as an available opportunity
for plunder As The road was much fire.
quented on these particular days, Susan
wen. backward and forward without
fear of an encounter with ,hese uncom
fnriable gentry.
Il WIS he evening before marke: dav
Supper YVES g; OVER az The farm. and
Mrs. Dale WAS bisy removing it from
he large old fashioned oak table in the
;ii.chen. \ brigh. fire b,szed OF the
spacio Is hearth. 'hough ii was The end
of June. and old Mr Dale sat j the
chimney corner under he immense
chimney. where co lection of hams
hang in variods stages of smoking.
Now mind, Sisan. that you he early
f,r markei to morro@ said Mr. Dale as
she seated herself
-Nerer fear amt: I'll be of betimes.
homas mus start irst Sith he two
cots and ihe he fer and II 70 low ~he
he. re well on heir way Don't .ou
disturb yourself in the morning, aunt
dear"
Bless the child, as if I shouldn't be
up and about against your starting /
shall see to your breakfast, Of course"
Il wish you'd let me go, too, mother"
said Ben. the boy before mentioned, who
was whiting a stick at the door 81
know 1 could help Susy.-
NO, no, no. my dear; you're too
Young" replied his molher, while the
old man, removing his pipe, said, coax
ingly:
"All in good time, my lad all in good
time. Let things come by degrees.
Mind your schooling now, and you'll be
all the better farmer for q little book |
larning.' 20
But suppose Susv should meet high
wayman, grandfather. Then l should |
be Of use. Wouldn't / tackle him Just!
1t would be fun"
"Eh, lad, ehl Young foli8 alk . deal
-ils