The Osceola times., 1880-12-18
DEAD HAND

I
simple superscription, "Charles Client
Wildlands,' was legible enough, despite
the cramped. irregular penmanshlp. -
also were the following lines, destitute
of date; address and signature:
'Years ago you did me Kindness
which | vowed never TO forget. In re
turn | now pen the warning that YOU
house will be entered tomorrow night
1t is well known 10 a certain tbievlna
gang that YOU have laige sum of money
| bv YOU. BE wise, and have it removed
TO a place of safety. Above all things
employ some Trustworthy person to act
for you. So surely as you neglect thi.
charge. suspicious will be excited, and
your life possibly pay the forfeit OF your
folly.
"Be careful also TO provide good and
oren reason for any journey you may
deem it advisable you should make, for
| assure you every one of your move
men.s is closely watched. And, lastly,
do not be ioClhardy enough TO give bat
tie. The money is all that is wanted,
and no personal injury viii be offered if
YOU keep quiet. Whether or not your
servants have been tampered with !
can't say"
Heavy lines of anxiety marked Mr..
Clients fine forehead rs he read, and 1t
was not surprising, the region beng at
that period a rough one in every way.
Its locality and the circumstances which
sent him there with his family it is
needless to mention.
"Strance how the thing ever leaked
out" he muttered TO himself, "but |
suppose through Oscars folly, and now
what am / to do? Oscar will be off in
ten minutes" glancing from the letter
to the pale, jaded countenance of his
dissipatod step-son, who stood at little
distance, making hasty preparations for
q journey. "And perhaps it is as well
those gambling hells have sunk him
too low for any honest employment"
The entrance of the two remaining
members OF his family, with the hurried
adieus and departure of Oscar Layne,
ended, for the time, his uncomfortable
reflections. But the morning cup of
coffee, Just then served, fully discussed,
he passed the letter to his wife and
daughter.
Mrs. Client sat in mute horror. The
daughter, noble looking creature of
some 20 years, was stronger neryed. She
read the letter slowly ard critically.
80 morrow" she commented thought
fully. THAT may either mean tonight
or tomorrow night, papa. You see there
is no date We don't know whether it
was written twelve or twenty-four hours
ago"
you are right. That never occurred
TO me. We have even less time than
Int I IA "a Ia IArtt
to let the money 90"
at is too badly needed, papa, TO be
quietly yielded TO those wretches," Bcs-
sic quietly answered.
"1rue. But what is to be done? If
you and your mother were not here l
would risk my life in taking it to the
Bolton Bank. But, as it is, can't con-
ecientiously do so, and there is no one
upon whom | can call"
"Yes, there is; will take it,"
"YouI" exclaimed both parents, utter
ly aghast for the moment.
"Yes, l am going" was the cool re-
loinder.
"You are demented, Bessie!" cried her
stepmother. 'It is far better TO lose the
money than for you to run SO great a
risk"
Determined. mamma, not demented," !"
said Bessie, as her father said:
"You forget, Bessie, that you will have
a drive of three miles over a road too
lonely to make you feel quite at ease,
considering the character of those about
U.S."
81 am too much like yourself to be a
coward" she answered, firmly. And
indeed don't believe there is the slight
est danger, cxcept in imagination. My
best protection, think, will be our mar
ket basket, and that | snail take and
bring home well filed. Your vest pistol
would not, however, be out Of place in
my pocket, and will take it also, since
can handle it as dexlerously as your
self"
A few more objections we're urged,
only to be skillfully oyerruled, ana Mr..
Client, feeling alsc that there was no
actual danger, at last fully consented.
"Wny not send assistance, Charles?"
suggested the not very iserspicacious Ms.
Client.
THAT would never do in such a region
and under such circumstances, unieN
we intend to keep an armed force about
u.s." Bessie answered promptly. Mr..
Client echoing her opinion most emphat-
ically.
Owing to various trying delays, nearly
two hours passed before Bessie could
start. AS she left the sitting room for
the light wagon at the door, small
hatchet which Oscar had that morning
carelessly thrown on chair attracted
her eye. She picked il up half absently,
and, with a glance at the keen edge,
slipped the handle under her belt.
What are you going to do with that?"
Mr.. Client asked. as she concealed it be-
meath her slcque.
81 don't know" she laughed at had
a friendly look, and | was seized with an
irresistible impulse to take possession of
il, without any actual reason for doing
so. Somehow 1t is in high favor with
me-"
"You are brave girl, Bess"
"And have right 10 be-" was the
proud rejoinder. "My grandfather was
a brave soldier, and you are brave
civilian, or you would never be here"
The morning was deliciously balmy
one, and Bessie drove fearlessly on, en-
joying the wild scenery about her,
though eye and ear were ever on the
alert for possible dangers. The quick
trot, which had scarcely been broken
from the moment of starting, soon brought
her to the widest part of her journey,
midway between Wildlands and Boil
ton.
Immense forest trees on either side
the narrew road, with irregular massive
piles of frowning rocks, gave a somber
look to the spot, which rendered it pecu-
iiary adapted TO the maurauding villains