River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-10-28
4 WILD RIDE.

the sky, the pale gray Of swift-cOming
night; below on the earth, vast level
waste of green carpeting; to the east,
to the west, to the north, to the south
a vast horizon, stretching away in the
misty, invisible distance
A dreary region, doubtless, save to
the plowman, or the stock-raiser, or
lovers sauntering arm in arm over the
velvety turf.
There was nothing to disturb our
sense Of blissfuI solitude, except the
great circle Of emigrant wagons drawn
up for the night, and they with Their
busy owners, were Just far enough away
to give us the feeling of companion
ship without unpleasant proximity.
The whole scene around us breathed
of peace on earth, good will towards
men," and yet with iovc's quick in
sight, | saw that there was a cloud
over the spirit ofoue dearer to me than
all else on earth.
What is it Mary?' | asked at length
after a long interval ofsilence Some
thing troubles YOU this evening. There,
don't deny it, dear, it will be useless.
Is it that you begin to doubt the wis
dom of your fathers move to Il wild
western home? If so, believe me, it
was the wisest and most hopeful
course open to a bankrupt merchant
he will be a rich man yet. Not that?
Then, do you regret my lmprudencc III
deciding To- seek my fortune also 1T
his side2 If SO, you should have said
it sooner; for now, my lady, | declare
III not 60 back again, even nj your
royal bidding.
THAT being the case" answered
Mary laughingly. Il will endeavor to
be patient under the alllictlon. But
seriously, Harry and the shadow
cTept back over her sweet face, Il do
feel unaccountably depressed this
evening. | have tried 20 help it, but
in spite of me my mind keeps dwell
ing on John BartOn's oath. You re-
member he swOre that he would follow
and snatch me from you before we had
crossed the Rocky Mountains; we shall
reach their foot tomorrow, hear, and
though it is foolish, know | shall not
feel easy till we have crossed them III
safety You need not tell me that
Barton is not here, and that | am
surrounded by honest kind-hearted
people, even if | had not you and faith
or. / know all that but | feel frightened
all the same cannot help it. SO be pa
tient with me. Harry dear. till II wears
off"
| drew her closer to my side, and we
walked silently toward the camp, now
illuminated by the numerous fires
kindled within its circle.
/ did not wonder at the dear ones
horror Of John Barton's oath. | too
had often thought, with a vague I'M
easiness, the lvid, vengeful cOuntc-
nance and kissing voice, full Of hate
and revenge, of Mary's rejected lover
rs he stood confronting Us on our de-
parture from our native town and
swore solemn oath that she should
never reach her destination nor ever
become my wife.
He received no word ofreply, only a
blow from my clenched hand, that laid
him PROSTATE on the road and there,
after ascertaining that he was not
seriously hurt we left him.
Two months had passed since then,
and although had secretly kept close
watch, | had been able to detect no
signs of Barfon's presence or pursuit !
and thus my vague anxiety had faded !
away until, | confess it, Mary's words |
imbued me somewhat with her own |
Gneasiness.
More silently than was our wont, |
therefore we entered the camp, and |
proceeded toward Mary's wagon-home; !
but 20 our surprise 1t vas not III Its |
usual position, although my own
vehicle whose place was next IN the |
row. occupied its accustomed spot.
After considerable search we found |
the missing wagon standing outside the /
circle; the driver. sulky, sullcn fell !
low / had never liked. stood close by /
it III earnest conversation with dark, |
heavily bearded man, who had joined
the train on horseback a few days be
fore Both men hastily Withdrew on
our approach. but not until had de
manded of the driver an explanation
of the changed position Of the wagon,
and received Il mumbling reply, to the
effect that it would be more sheltered
f:om the cool night winds.
The horses were embarrassed bcfors
] knew it, said Mr.. Scott, my dear
ones father; but perhaps it IS as well,
after all, for the wind was almost to
brisk last night Going Harry? Well
goodnight: sorry we shall not have you
for 4 near neighbor tonight, rs usual
4 soft good night to Mary, a llnger
ING pressure of the hand, and then,
making my way to my own wagon.
crept in, and lay down to sleep ut the
side of my trtlsty dog, Rover whose
duty it was 'to keep watch and ward
over my property during my absence.
1t was long, however, before | lost
Consciousness: thoughts of Mary and
her prcsentiment of evil to come, kept
me awake until a late hour; but when
did fall asleep mt last it was into
sound slumber, from which | was
aroused by Il violent shake from hand
grasping my shoulder The hand be
longed To Mary'S father. but the voice
that addressed me seemed that OF
stranger. 50 hoarse, and shaken. and
full of anguish was IT,
Harry Hurry forGod's sake, rouse
up-rouse up
In an instant was upon the ground,
Rover mt my side, watchful and eN-
pectant.
"Marv2" / gasped. for there was
something in the wild. half crazed look
ofthe man before me-usually so bright
and cheerful that chilled the blood IN
my veins.
;.Marv2 Ave. it is about her-she has
been abducted. But come and he
dragged me roughly by the arm, we
will talk rs We saddle the horses; mo-
ments are dearer than gold. Come.
come
| tarried only long enough to snatch
M my cap and pistols. and then hur-
ricd after my friend, who had already
reached the spot where our horse,
stood them as We rapidly bridled and
Suddled the trusty Steeds WHO had
horne Us for many and many Il mile,
the told me that which made my eyes
flash and my blood boil.
Il was wakencd early in the night.
TIE said, by feeling something cast
over my head, 50 that | could not utter
a sound and then. in spite of my
struggles. | was hound hand and foot
There were two men-I know their
wholesome was our drivers; and
Harry. the other was John Barton'S, |
saw him. too: he was the man who
Joined the train a few days ago: that
heavy beard was disguise They left
me lying there helpless, and crept 10
the other end Of the wagon, where the
partition hid them from my sight. But.