The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-07-19
A RIDE FOR LIFE.


The sun was shining brightly upon one Of
the large plains of Texas, dotted here and
there by settlers houses, and the glittering
waters of the Rio Grande.
Riding up the dusty brown road at a slow
pace was an army officer He rode large
sorrel thoroughbred, which seemed ever i'm
patient to move more rapidly onward.
The rider was young man, with hand
some un-browned face. He had bright
gray eyes, light moustache hid his we'll
cut lips, and wealth of dark brown curly
hair clustered around his head.
AS he was passing wayside house, the
owner came out and hailed him:
"Colonel, hold minute"
The young officer turned his horse, rode
up to the man.
Colonel" said the man, "that Mexican
band of thieves crossed the river this morn
ing, and they mean u be up to some mis-
chiet."
"Yes," said the colonel, "those Mexican
raiders are the plague of the country. Have
you seen the rascals?"
eyes met them this morning, when
they crossed the river, and they told me
they intended to kill the Thompson family
before they 60 back so concluded to tell
you. l thought you might warn Thomp-
son to get out of the way"
"why, what have they against Thomp-
SOM"
"oh, you know Thompson chased two oi
them away when they were trying to steal
his horses. They have boasted that they
intend to kill every man, woman and child
in the family"
"When do they intend to do itP"
As they come back. They have gone
down in the valley but, from what they
said, think they will be back in two hours
or so."
GAS soon as that?" said the colonel
"then will not have time to ride to camp
for troops"
"No; and they may be back in an hour
no telling"
"Well, if they may be back so soon, I'D
better be going if wish to save the family
Good-day."
"Good. day." said the man, as the colon
els horse bounded at rapid pace up the
road.
Thompson's house was about mile and
half distant. Reaching it, the colonel rode
hastily up to the door aud knocked,
"Hello, Colonel Charlie" said the good
hearted farmer, "come in and have drink
of milk, and cool yourself. 1t is mighty
hot day."
"No, thank you; that band of Mexican
cutthroats have crossed the river again
and -
Z" Are They?" exclaimed the settler, wip-
ing the sweat from his brow.
"Yes; and they have threatened to mur
der you and your family"
"And | have no mercy to expect from
them. That thief hurt for attempting to
steal one Of my horses was one Of their gang,
and suppose they are thirsting for re-
venge,"
ayes, Thompson" said the colonel, "the
best thing for you to do is to leave here as
soon as possible, and go to camp"
The settler hastened away to alarm those
within.
The family consisted of Thompson, wife,
brother and two children-a boy and girl
The boy was about dozen years Of age,and
the girl was six
After quickly hitching pair Of horses to
the wagon, il was soon loaded, the colonel
working as industriously as any. The
children were put in it, and Thompson :
brother in-law drove away, leaving the rest
to fill the remaining wagon.
The man had driven but a short distance
when the little girl began to cry for her
doll.
ooh, never mind your doll, I'll buy you
another" said the uncle
"Ob, please let me go back and get my
doll" cried the child. "Ill so straight to
mamma"
She cried and begged so hard, that at last
bar uncle mt her out aud told her to hurry
straight to her mother.
Going back she entered the house unOb-
served, and sitting down on the tioor soon
| fell asleep.
It was sometime after the wagon bad
started that the other one was ready They
therefore had travelled nearly two miles be-
fore overtaking it. Then the mother put
ting her head out of the. wagon, called 'f
| her boy
"where is your sister?"
A." She is with YOU" said the boy.
"Isnt she with you?" cried Mrs. Thomp
son TO her brother.
"oh, heaven !" cried the mother, my
child is left behind.