The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-09

through my brain. Should I not seize the pony and flee to another place? Fatigued as was, and come what would. must retrace my steps and try and find the gun. The prairie grass trampled by my poney's feet indicated to me the course had taken. turned him back upon that path. Again and again was obliged to dismount and drag my sore and wearied limbs over the ground, which carefully scrutinized to be sure could make no mistake All the while l was tormented by the thought that my agonized painstaking might be entirely useless, that the gun might be stolen from behind me by some wanderer as I slept. How could know? It was but a drowning man catching at straw as I stumbled onward. It seemed ages as I searched. What time was passing? Even If found the owner with it at the promised hour? Only by giving it to him at that hour of entry for the match could 1t prove as desired by him, or re- ceive the $l0 so longed for.
 With fevered brain and straining. bloodshot eyes 1 continued the search, | impatient and patient at once. Clouds were gathering in the sky; into one of them the moon now passed, and the light now necessary to me was obscured, l remained motionless. Would 20 mad? l My power for collected thought seemed vanishing. Again the moon came out clear and bright, and there, close 10 my feet, shone something metallic. It was the riflel had found it!
 placed 1t before me as l rode this time. With fragments of the broken twine dangling from the saddle, I fasten- ed the breech to my left wrist and re- mounting my horse, allowed the gun to rest on my legs as l advanced. The lounce, jounce of the weapon added to my discomfort; but at last it was secure and was kept awake. But now where was l? l recognized no land mark. The aspect was generally strange to me; seemed to have neared the limit of the prairie: line of hills lay against the horizon, and beyond the day was breaking. With victory ready to my grasp was lost? Suddenly I discerned m the distance what seemed a human habltation. travelled toward it and was reioiced to have it prove ranch. | reached it and halloed. WhenI was within few paces of the house win dow in the second story suddenly opened and rife barrel was protruded and aimed directly at me. I was thunder struck at this proceeding. Had come to the lair of desperado? But instantly l bethoHgnt me of the suspicious appear ance presented with my gun across my knees, as if I were ready for action.
 Il have gone astrayp 1 shouted. "Where is Denver?"
 There was silence-still the rife was pointed at me-and then heard low laugh. It was echoed by the sllvery tones of Q pleasanter laugh-a woman's laugh. felt safe.
 Denver is two miles further east, !" was now answered me, in rather juve- nile voice.
 So l was not lost. would triumph in my mission. was within easy reach of my destination. With that thought, my overtasked energies asserted their weak ness. longed for momentary rest, at least Could obtain it here? I fingered, despite the gun which menaced me. If they wanted to shoot they would have shot, reasoned. By the light now strengthening they must see that I was not q rufian. was right; the gun was soon withdrawn. and then reappeard at the door of the house, in the hand of lad about eighteen years old, who laugh ingly approached me, and said:
 Excuse me, stranger, but you are rather an early visitor. see you're a gentleman. Fathers away, and the wo- meA are easily scared. I thought it would be best to be on the safe side"
 "I'd like little refreshments" was all l sail in response.
 l was really in fainting condition, as pale as death. The lad instantly took pity on my plight, helped me to alight, and led me to a seat on the portico of the house, to pillar of which he tied my horse. He entered, and returned with a glass If wine, which gave me life at once, and told him the loss of my rifle. 1 was in the midst of narra- tion, when a beautiful face appeared timidly at the door, and hand out stretched to the lad sandwich, which as the reader has it, gaining another listener in the person of charming girl of sixteen.
 It was now o'clock. had two hours in which to travel two miles, but I had best set about it. The mustang was as tired as myse elf. He proceeded at a walk. However, as we reached the con- fines of the town he increased his speed, and it was at lively ,trot that he entered the stable to which he belonged. I ex- hibited little of the same spirit when presented the coveted rife to it's owner and received the $l0.
 was sufficiently recovered from fa- tigue, at the close of the day, to be among those who were congratulating the winner of the prize--my employer. He forced upon me another $l0 bill. He woflld almit of no refusal These two $l0 hills proved the foundation of quite a little fortune. 1 am at present married, and living in the ranch l have men, toned, but expect soon to leave for the East. My wife, being still very young, is curious to see the "higher civilization" of Boston and other cities.