River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-04-01
A RIDE FORIlIEE.
From - FOOLS Errand''-By One Of
The Fools.

yOsse was sitting on the porch at war
rington, watcbiDgt the sunset glow, when
a horseman came IN sight, and lode up
to the gate. After a moments scrutiny
of the premises he seemed satisfied,
and uttered the usual haloo which is
customary for one togive who desires
to communicate with the hou ehold in
that country. Lilly rose, ana advanced
TO the steps.
"Here's letter." said the hors EN- an
as he held an envelope up to view, and
as she came down the steps, threw it
over the gate into the avenue, and,
wheeling his horse cantered easily
away. Lilly picked up the letter. 1t
was directed in a coarse sprawling
hand
COLONEL COMFORT SERvOSsE,
WARRINGTON"
In the lower left hand corner, in a
m ore compact and business-hke hand,
were written the words, Read at once"
Lilly read the superscription carelessly
as she went up the broad avenue.
She went into the house and calling
for light, glanced once more at the
envelope, and then broke the seal. 1t
read:
COLONEL SERvoSsE-A raid of K. K
has been ordered to intercept Judge
Denton on his way home tonight. 1t
is understood that he has telegraphed
20 you to accompany him home. Do
not do it. Ii you en- by any means
give him warning. 1t is q big raid, ard
means business. The decree Is, that he
shall be ted, placed in the middle of the
bridge across the river, the planks tax
en- up on each side, so as to prevent a
rescue, and the bridge set on fire. | send
this warming for your sake. Do not
trust the telegraph. | shall try to send
this by safe hand, but tremble lest it
should be too late. dare not sign my
name, but subscribe myself your
Unknown FRIEND"
The young girl stood for a moment
paralyzed with horror at the danger
which threatened her father. 1t did
not once occur to doubt the warning
she had received. She glanced at tie
timepiece upon the mantel. The hands
pointed to So'ciock.
TOO late, too latep she cried as she
clasped her hands, and raised ner eyes
to heaven in pray erful agony. She saw
that she conld not reach Verdenton in
time to prevent their taking the train,
and she knew it would be useless to tele-
graph afterward. 1t was evident that
the wires were under control of the
Khan, and there was no probability
that message would be delivered, if
sent in time to prevent the catastrophe.
ooh, my dear, dear papa !" she cried,
as she realized more fully the danger.
90 God can nothing be done to save
him 2"
Then a thought flashed upon her
mind. she ran to the back porch, and
called, sharply but quietly:
civilian On, William =
"William," said Lilly, as the stable-boy
appeared, put my saddle on Young
Lollard, and bring him round as quick
as possible"
"But, Miss Lily, you know dat boss
=" the servant began to expostulate.
81 know all about him, William.
Don't wait to talk. Bring him out"
"All right, Miss Lily" he replied
with bow and a scrape. But as he
went toward the stable he soliloquized
angrily: "Now, what for Miss Lilly
want to ride dat pertickerler boss, you
s'pose? Never did afore. Nobody but
de kunnel ebber on his back, an he
hab his hands full wild him sometimes.
Desc furrer bred bosses jes' de debbil,
anyhow Oars dat yonng Lollard,
now, it's jest bout all a mans life wuth
ter rub him down an saddle him. Why
cant she take de ole IN? Here you,
LOllaId. come outen dat !"
He threw open the door of the log
stable where the horse had his quarters,
rs ne spoke. and almost instantly, with
a short, vicious Whitney, a powerful
dark brown horse leaped into the moon
light, and with ears laid back upon his
sinuOus neck, white teeth bare, and thin,
blood red nostriIs distended, rushed
toward the servant, who, with loud
"DAr now Look at him Whoa !!
See de dam rascal!' retreated quickly
behind the door. The horse rushed
once or twice around the little stable
yard, and then stopped suddenly beside
his keeper, ard stretched out his head
for the bit, quivering in every limb
with that excess of vitality which only
the thoroughbred horse ever exhibits.
Before the horse was saddled, Lilly
mad dOnned her riding-habit put a re-
volver in her belt, as she very frequent
" did when riding alone, swallowed a
hasty supper, scrawled a short note to
her mother on the envelope of the let
ter she had received-whichs she charged
William al once to carry to her-and
was ready to start on night-ride to
Chenille.
The brawny groom with difficulty held
the restless horse by the bit; but the
slight girl, who stood upon the block
D. L, fac nd fonfh grofhnrpd
the reins in her hand, leaped fearlessly
into the saddle, found the stirrup, and
said, Let him go = without q CULVER
in her voice. The man loosed his hold
The horse stood upright, and paved the
air for a moment with his feet, gave a
few mighty leaps to make sure of his
liberty, and then, stretching out his
neck, bounded forward in race which
would require all the mettle of his end
less line of noble sires.
As she was borne like an arrow down
the avenue, and turned into the Glen
vile road, Lilly heard the whistle of the
train as it left the depot at Verdenton,
and knew that upon her GOODNESS and
resolution alone depended the life OF
her father.
il was. perhaps, We'll for the accom-
plishment Of her PURPOSE that, for some
time after setting out on her perilous
journey, Lilly Servosse had enough to
do to maintain her seat, and guide and
control her horse.
She had always made it rule to
visit his stall every day, so that, al
though she had never ridden him, he
was familiar with her person and voice.
IL was well for her that this was the
case, for as he dashed away with the
speed of the wind. she felt how power
less she was to restrain him by means
Of the bit. Nor did she attempt it.
Merely feeling his mouth, and keeping
her eyes upon the road before him, In
order that no sudden start to right or
left should take her by surprise, she
coollv kept her seat and tried to sooth
him by her voice.
With head outstretched, and sinewy
neck strained to its utmost, he flew over
the ground in a wild, mad race with
the evening wind, as it seemed.
The night was growing chilly by this
time. As the wind struck her at the
hilltop she remembered that she had
thrown hooded waterproof about her
before starting. She stopped her horse,
and, taking off her hat, gathered her
long hair into mass, and thrust it in-
L