The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-08-14

tney Were ouiy BOinB suOrJ way tO-
gether, he wouli manage to keep up
afoot il Bob didn't ride too fast
Another round Of drinks, and Bob
and the stranger took their depar-
ture in right lnerrie humor.
"Here, said the latter, when they
had reached the heart Of the forest,
where foot-path branched from the
main road I'VE must part, for my
way is by this path.
Bob expressed his regret at tho
enforced separation, and was on the
point of reluctantly resuming his
journey, when the stranger begged
him to alight for a short rest.
"Heres nice cool place among
the bushes, added the stranger, and
here is a little something for refresh.
ment, producing fiat bottle from
his pocket our chat has been 30
pleasant that I would like to enjoy
half an hour more of it,
Bob was in no mood TO be unsoci-
able, and he and his companion were
soon seated side by side on log, as
costly as General Marion aud tho
British officer the day they dined on
sweet potatoes served on piece of
bark.
The stranger uncorked the bottle
and handed 1t to Bob
what is it z inquired the lattler.
brandy the other answered.
"Health and happiness, said Bob,
by way Of preface to a good gulp.
A gurgling groan escaped him.
the flask dropped from his hand,
His throat burned as though scorch-
ed with fire. His temples throbbed
A confused buzzing filed his ears. A
sense Of numbness prevailed his
brain, and he iell TO the ground un-
conscious.
In trice the stranger dragged
bim into thicket, and stripping
him of his outer clothing, replaced
his own therowith and mounted
Roam, and road off into the woods
with Bob's clothes and money.
The robber was afraid to venture
far till night set in. Then, under
cover Of the darkness, he hurried,
forward, hoping, before daylight to
be we'll out of reach.
Soon river intercepted his fight,
II was swollen by recent rains, and
the rapid current made its passage
dangerous to those unaccustomed to
the ford.
"Surely, this must be the right
place, muttcred the robber ; Il OBJ
served it closely yesterday yes,
this is the spot
Poor Roam rec ,iled and SHE'D, but
his rider spurred him on.
A headlong plunge buried horse
and rider beneath the surging vat
ers. The two came mp again apd
separated. With a violont struggle
tho horse clarnbered up tho bank
but tue man was swept swiftly down
vainly coutending against the dark
angry food !
Days after, the body OF a drowned
man was found whore it had been
born by the current. The features
were past recognition, but it was
identified by the garments as that oi
Bob Lindsey.
Poor Mary WAS heart broken
With all Bob's faults-or rather IN
spite of his one fault --she loved him
dearly. And when the funeral was
over, she sat down in her desolute
homo, aud mourned and would not
be comforted.
! When Bob awoke from his stupo,
aud discovered the plight he was in
money, horse and raiment all gone,
it is impossible to describe his re-
morse and shame.
81 can never look Mary in the
face again. he exclaimed. "Dodd
will be pitless. Her homo which
she loves so well, will be sold ovel
her head. No! can never look
her in the face again.
Clothing himself, porforce, in tho
rags left by the robber, he wander,
ed on aimlessly, aud for many days
lived like any other tramp.
| But at last change came over his
spirit. It was cowardly to desert
Mary thus. He would go back and
bear his share of the trouble, and as
he would be- man, and this timt
there should be no slip.
Aud he turned again towards his
homo. At length he. reached The
river, and rs no walked along the
margin of tho river to find the ford
which lay somewhere above, his eyes
fell on an object partly imbedded il
the mud. He caught it up eagerly
and examined il. An exclamation
Of Joy burst from his lips, and III
passed forward with redoubled
speed.
He soon reached the ford which
he passed without difiiculty-for thu
water had fallen considerably-ant
at nightfall was at his own door. Al
tho sound Of words within he paused
on tho threshold.
! III could ever love another aftel
poor Bob,' said Mary's broken voic.
"it would never be you, DidymuI
Dodd, who ought to be ashamed t
choose my hour Of sorrow to insul
mo.
"You shall either marry me OF