The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-01-08
A RIDE FOR LIVES.

1t was just at sundown, and Lily Ser
voBse was sitting on the porch at War
rington, watching the sunset glow, when
horsman came 10 sight, and rode up to
the gate. After a moments scrutiny Of
the premises he seemed satisfied, and ut
tered the usual halloo which it is custo-
mary for one to give who desires to CON-
municate with the housho.d in that
country. Lily rose, and advanced to the
steps.
"Here's the letter." said the horsemap,
as he held it up to view, and then, as
she started down the steps, threw it over
the gate into the avenue, and, wheeling
his horse, cantered easily away. Lily
picked up the letter. 1t was directed in
a coarse, sprawling hand
COLONEL COMFORT SERvossE,
Warrington.
In the lower left hand corner, IN more
compact and business-like hand, were
written the words, ''read at once" Lily
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 en-
velope, and then broke the seal. It
read
Colonel Servosse-A raid of K. X.
| hapn tn inf n 90
Denton on his way home tonight (the
23d inst). 1t is understood be has tele-
graphed to you to accompany him home.
Do not do it. If you can by any means
give him warming. It is big raid and
means business. The decree is, that he
shall be tied, placed in the middle of the
bridge across the river, the planks taken
up on each side, SO as to prevent res
cue, and the bridge set on fire. I send
this warning for your sake. Do not
trust the telegraph. 1 shall try to send
this by safe hand, but tremble lest it
should be too late. l dare not sign my
name, but subscribe myself your
UNKNOWN FRIEND.
The young girl stood for moment
paralyzed with horror at the danger
which threatened her father. It did not
once occur to her to doubt the warning
she had received. She glanced at the
timepiece upon the mattel. The hands
pointed to s o'clock.
"Too late, too late I" she cried, as she
clasped her hands, and raised her eyes
to heaven III q prayerful agony. She
saw that she could not reach Verdenton
in time to prevent their taking the train,
and she knew it would be useless TO tele-
graph afterward. It was evident that
the wires were under the control of the
klan, and there was no probability that q
message could be delivered, ii sent, in
time to prevent a catastrophe.
'Oh, my dear, dear papa y she cried
as she realized more fully the danger.
go God can nothing be done to save
him 2"
Then new thought flashed upon her
mind. She ran to the back porch, and
called sharply, but quietly:
civilian ! Oh William!"
"'William,' said Lily, 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 hoss''
the servant began to expostulate.
81 know all about him William. Don't
wait to talk, bring him out"
'sAll right, Miss Lily" he replied,
with bow and scrape. But as he
went toward the stable, he soliloquized
angrily. "Now, what tor Miss Lily want
to ride dat partickerler boss, you s'pose 2
Never did afore. Nobody but de kunnel
eber on his back, an he hab his hands
full wild him sometimes. Desc furrer-
bred hosses jes de debbI anyhow! Dar's
dat Young Lollard' now its jest bout ali
mans life is wuth ter rub him down,
an saddle him. Why can't she take de
ole n! Here you, 'Lollard, come outen
datl"
He threw open the door of the log
stable where the horse had his quarters,
as be spoke, and almost instantly. with a
short vicious Whitney, powerful dark
brown horse leaped into the moonlight,
and with ears laid back upon his sinuous
neck, white teeth bare, and thin blood
red nostrils distended, rushed toward the
servant, who with loud "Dar now
Look at him Whoa See de dam ras-
cal ~ retreated quickly behind the door.
The horse rushed once or twice around
the little stable yard, and then stopped
suddenly beside his keeper, and stretch
ed 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, Lily had
donned her riding habit, put her revolver
in her belt, as she very frequently did
when riding alone, swallowed a hasty
supper, scrawled short note to he1
mother on the envelope of the letter she
had received-which she charged vii
liam at ones to carry to her-and was
ready to start on q night ride to Glen
/ vile.
The brawny groom with difficulty held
the restless horse by the bit; but the
slight girl, who stood upon the BLOCK
: with pale face and set teeth, gathered
the reins in her hand. leaped fearlessly
into the saddle, found the stirrup, ant
! said, "Let him go!' without culver il
her voice. The man loosed his hold
The horse stood upright, and paved the
air for moment with his feet, gave .
i few mighty leaps to make sure of hi
, liberty, and then, stretching out hi