Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-03-15

her own home"
"What makes you think SO, my boy ?"
hurriedly asked Jacobs.
cause they swear at her like blazes,
and she tries to holler an can't. | hid,
| did, and know just where they went
with'er.
The little fellows voice sounded hon
est enough, so Jacobs threw couple of
coppers into his hand, and told him to
lead the way.
The boy started off at rapid pace,
which required all our efforts to keep up
with him. The rain was now falling in
torrents. 1t was night for violence,
and shuddered as thought that pos
sibly we might be unsuccessful in our
efforts to deliver the young lady from
the hands of the scoundrels, who would
consign her to fate worse than death
was. | wondered what morning papers
would say of the whole affair, when our
guide ran into an alley-way at the right,
and was out of our sight in an instant.
ga regular imp" said Jacobs.
Deserted or betrayed US" 1 sug-
gested.
"Neither, l know their ways. Wait
and see."
We did wait and see, but only for
moment. The urchin re-appeared, and
talking fast, and in low voice, said:
"Say, misters, they've gone up there,
an down the other way; and if ye 60
down to the next alley, an get up on
the sly to the rickety old house to 10th
er end on it, yell see what ye're after"
Jacobs staid not to say word; but
clapping some more coppers into the
boys palm, proceeded to follow the
youngsters directions to the letter. |
might have stopped to doubt the integ-
rity of the boy, thinking myself saga
cious in SO dong; but Jacobs was more
experienced, and knew we'll what he
was about.
The lad did not accompany US fur
ther; no doubt rejecting that he had
neither strong arm nor pistol to aid
with; and, therefore, could not afford to
keep out of the recognition he, no
doubt, being well known in that quarter.
We pushed our way against the gale
to the alley the boy had mentioned, and
turned up this into intense darkness.
We were cropping our way along, when
we saw the reflection of bright flash,
and then report. The impression with
me at first was, that we had been be-
trayed by the imp of a guide, and were
about being rewarded for our stupidity
In trusting on so short an acquaintance.
But was undeceived, for following the
report, came through the noise and wind
and rain low cry of pain, and then a
fierce oath. The voice that uttered the
oath was different from the enc that
uttered the cry.
take that for your meddling !" ex-
claimed the voice of the swearer. "You
may feel cursed lucky if l haven't fin
ished ye! Let a gentleman be with his
game, next time, my honey"
1t was evident that we were about
entering on the active scene of our
drama. and powder and ball might be
summoned to act out portion.
"Is your barker in order ?' inquired
Jacobs, in low voice.
Capped and dry" said l, in return.
"Then keep it ready for use, for l
know that voice. The fellow that fired
the shot is strong one, and about the
quickest hand in the city. But have
no fear, for we are equal to them
| responded rather stifly that l was
not afraid, and we had recommended our
steps up the alley, when low moan
was heard ahead. 1t was that of a
woman, and we had no doubt who il
was.
1.-The devil take ye!" cried voice
that We had not yet heard. you've
given us enough trouble. Now behave
or I'll. Does ye feel that, miss %
30. don't kill me, sir !'' responded a
sweet female voice. "Let me return to
my mother, and Heaven will bless you
for your kindness!"
preaching, hey ?" broke in the voice
of the rufian who fired the pistol
"Well, my gay one. jest go up an tell
your mother to come down and visit us
and perhaps we'll let you 60 an blow
on us-perhaps we'll do that thing,
cause we're jest little green here. jest
bit !"
This sally was greeted by hoarse
laugh, and the deep groan of anguish
that followed, showed how hopeless was
the case of their victim
"Now, Longwood, you understand
how these things must be done. Don't
be in hurry, and don't fire shot toe
many. | think we've got to kill one Of
those men. An hour hence we can tel
better whether one of us, or both, will
be food for rats
Jacobs had professional way o
speaking which turned my blood LITTLE