Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-07
ralsln' these notions p

. 'Only this, and that is why l speak
1T. There was Abner Carver in Dur
ango. .and he had originally come from
this neighborhood.'
Why, father,' SAID .the boy, that
isl
Z .Punto en- boca, Fineo y said Gringo,
sharply, and the boy shrank back
absshed.
sAbner Carver! From this neigh
borhood!' cried the old couple stimuli
taneously.
Yes, and he had been prisoner
among the Comanches at one time. /
knew all his history-at least, while
he was in Mexico.
Hope, doubt, and anxiety were PLAZA
ly written on the faces of the farmer
and his wife. They looked at the stran-
ger earnestly. He evidently was in
earnest, and they asked for the adven-
tures of this Abner Carver, which the
stranger gave readily enough.
II appeared that Abner had been
taken while wounded by the Conan
ches. He recovered from his hurts, and
the chief adopted him, in lieu of a son
who had been killed a short time pre-
viously, lie became a fayorite and
rose TO be the secopd chief Of that
band of the tribe. About two years
after his capture he accompanied it on
a raid in full force into Northern Mexi-
co. They p,undered the rancho Of
wealthy proprietor and ran of the
horses. Among their captiyes was
little glrl, about fourteen years of age.
She was very pretty, and Abner made
up his mind to prescrye her from the
fate that otherwise awaited her. She
understood no word of English; but he
made his intent known TO her by signs,
and she was on the alert. When night
fell on their first encampment he kept
watch. loosened her bonds, led her
quietly out, and, after they had mount
ed the two 6ectest horses, stampeded
the rest suddenly, so as to render pur-
SUIT impossible, and the two rode of.
The suddenly awakened Indians made
a turtle attempt TO regain them: some
attempting TO catch the fleeing horses,
aud others sending arrows or bullets,
according to which weapons they had,
alter the fusitlyes. Nothing struck
them, and they never drew reign until
they arrived at small town fifteen
miles beyond the plundered rancho,
and where they brought the first Eews
OF the disaster.
1t appeared that the young girl was
not a daughter of the unfortunate own
or of the rancho, who with his wife had
been killed during the attack. She was
a niece, on a visit, they having no chill
dren of their own. Her father was one
of the richest mine owners in Durango,
ss,cs had come with her to Cohulla,
leaving her at the rancho with her un
Gle and aunt, while he went 10 look
after some real estate OF his IN that
quarter. lie was extremely grateful to
Abncr, and, when the latter expressed
desire to get back to Texas, pressed
him to accompany him to Durango,
Offering to assist him to fortune. He
was as good as his word. Don Luis
NaIa Ceyada-that was his name
gave Abncr a position in the NINE
Office, from which he rose TO his private
secretary and then manager. The little
Paula, who grew to be handsome
grl, never forgot her danger and her
oblgvtions to Abner and he naturally
thought more Of her from that night
ride, while his after acquaintance
strengthened his feelings. Her father
had other views; but he loved his daugh-
ter and he liked A5ner, and was
won by the tears Of one and the plead"
ing of the other. So Abner and Paula
we're married, to the chagrin Of numer-
Gus lovers: aud when Don Luis died,
which he did seven years after, Abner
and Paulo were his heirs.
When Gringo had ended his story,
there was silence, broken at length by
Mrs. Carver.
is he alive 2 she asked.
He was when | left Mexico
Phiness was not yet convinced.
What kind of looking young man IS
he p he inquired.
When lie came to Durango replied
Grineo, he was about an inch shorter
than am now and Of more sleuder
build than l am.
Any mark on him that you notlced?'
No, except scar on the left che ek.'
It's Abner then. It's Abncr! ex.
claimed the mother.
i think IT'S likely admitted Phin-
cas- but why did he never wr1te bis
mother, at leaSt?'
He said that he had, but, getting no
answer, suprosee he was. .disowned. lie
caused inquiries to be made, and found
his parents were alive and WE'LL
we never got the letter. Oh! i'll
could see him again y
You may. He sold the mine about
six months since TO an English COM
| ..,,, Gov tvvo millions of dollars