The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-01-09


wolves in winter and for the intimida-
ton of poachers and tramps at other
seasons of the year. Malchen had the
same horror of firearms as most other
girls; but at this moment her blood re-
volted at the idea of leaving the farm to
be plundered without striking a blow for
it. Herr Won Polheim owned good
deal of silver-plate, and was accustomed
to keep pretty large sums OF money
within the oaken chest in his bedroom.
Among other reflections which rushed
through Malchen's mind was this, that,
if her father were robbed of all his cash
he would get into vile humor, which
would make its effects felt at the farm
for weeks, and render the place unin-
habitable. Now, Malchen stood in
great terror of her father when he was
angry.
She ran to the chimney and unlocked
the arms, then swiftly climbed on to the
table again. The little lattices outside
the apertures in the shutters were open,
so Malchen could thrust out the barrels
of her weapons and fire at the malefac-
tors. Before doing so, however, she
put a coin into her mouth to alter the
ring in her voice, and making horn OF
both hands, shouted in tone which
sounded like a mans, "Who goes
THEREOF
No answer. The burglars stared at
one another in astonishment, and were
fairly dismayed when they heard the
next exclamation, which conveyed the
idea that the person who had first
spoken was not alone but had several
men under his orders. ''Now then, my
men, when l give the word, fire sharp
and aim straight. Fire!"
Two reports instantly followed this
command and then came two others.
When the smoke had cleared away,
Malchen, who looked out with haggard
eyes, her heart humping awfully the
while, she saw four men stretched on
the snow, and nothing else. The other
five members of the band had taken to
flight. s'The guns were loaded with
slugs; perhaps 1 have killed them ALL
calculated Malchen in terror; for her
combative ardor abated of a sudden
now that so easy a victory had been
won. "Oh, dear, what shall l do?''
She had taken up the horse pistol. and
glanced out to see if there was another
shot to be fired. There was a choking
sensation at her throat, and she began
to whimper. It was all too dreadful
she could not bear the sight of those
dead men, all killed by her hand. But
one of them suddenly moved and tried
to rise to his knees. Immediately the
sentimental Malchen aimed her pistol tc
give him his quietus; but, luckily fol
himself, the man roared out: "Oh
Malchen, Malchen! help! IT'S L
Karl"
"Karl!" exclaimed the girl, as he1
voice seemed to expire in her throat
whilst her heart turned to ice. "Karl
is it thou?"
eyes, and l am wounded. an
DYING" sobbed the luckless fellow
"And it's all for thee"
Malchen tottered and might hav'
fallen off the table had there been an,
one present to catch her in his arms. A
it was she scrambled down somehow
and made for the door, still holding he
pistol. One moments hesitation as sh
touched the door-handle; but she sur
mounted it and went out. In anothe
moment she could Judge with her owl
eyes of the murderous effects of he
} volley. Three men lay on the snow
stone-dead; as for Karl, a slug had clea1
sliced off part of his right ear an
cheek, so that he bled like pig, but h
was otherwise unhurt.
ooh, Karl, Karl, how earnest tho
, hither in such company" exclaime
Malchen, rs she tore off her apron t
stanch his wound.
"Mein Colt, it was for thee!" snivele
the unhappy Karl. "These men al
l nv friends; we had all come for lar
and meant to carry thee off; for hope
4 thy too-obstinate father would conser
of necessity to our marriage. Oh, oil
$ my earl"
"Peace, Karl; but oh, how foolish
e thee" sighed Malchen. "How could!
v thou think that nine men were require
? to carry me off?''
"Mein Colt, thought thou vast n