St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-10-15
ITS old Jake Potter coming to bor-

But no; the horseman was neither
Jake Potter nor a Haidon boy. AS he
pulled up his horse before the cabin,
Martha saw he was a gentlemanly-
looking young man of about twenty
years of age, with a pale face, and a
strange, wild look. He touched his hat
to her in a mechanical manner.
"Can | get over the river here?' he
asked.
mo, sir. We don't keep the public
ferry she answered. "Thats more
than five miles down the river
He jumped from his horse, and came
rapidly toward her. III you'll only
get me over, he said, drawing some
money out of his pocket, pm give you
twenty five dollars. It's every cent
have, and it's matter of life and
death for me to get over Immediately.
For heavens sake, help me, won't
you?'
The imploring tone, the look Of agony
in the young mans eyes, startled
Martha. Was this mailman before
her, and she alone and in his power?
No, he did not look insane; though he
kept turning and casting wild chances
in the direction whence he had come.
II am sorry, sir" she said. ''but the
fiat was taken to the other side by my
father, who has not yet returned. Look,
you can see it from here"
"Then shall have to swim the river
he said, turning from her. !,
You must notr' she exclaimed
earnestly. 1.-The river is swollen by
the last rains, and the tide is running
like mill-race! Not even strong
horse could swim it, and yours -look-
ing at the tired little pony" would not
get halfway over"
He paused irresolutely for one mo-
ment, and then retraced his steps.
"You look good and kind" he said;
"And I'm sure you wouldn't harm me.
I'll trust you. l am pursued by men
who accuse me of thing l never
dreamed of doing. | am a perfect
stranger was in this town in my
life before last highland the settlers
take me for a member of some notori-
GUS horse-thief's gang. If they catch
me-you know Texas justice-they IL
hang me to the nearest tree, and try me
after I'm dead. For the sake OF all
that's good, and more than all for my
dear mothers sake,' and sob checked
his words. "help an innocent stranger
10 escapen'
Martha looked at him as he spoke.
Like all self-reliant people, she formed
her judgment of persons quickly and
decidedly. No, he was not guilty, she
was certain. But even had he been, for
his youth. and his mothers sake, it is
probable Martha would have done just
as she did.
"Tn help YOU she said "No, you
can't hide in the house, seeing his
eyes turn to it. There are but two
rooms, and no loft, and they'll be
through them in no time. They'll
search the barn and stable too. The
woods back there are not safe, for OF
course they'll 60 over the whole ground
if they track you here.''
Il got away from them about noon,' y
he said. They were lying under the
trees half drunk, and asleep, and gave
them the slip. My pony was tied in
the woods, and I don't think they
missed me until they walked up. Blu,
of course they'll track me here, or neal
here l must lose no time.''
Martha thought for few minutes.
Il can think Of but one plan,' she said.
"You must disguise yourself l have
the dress of German woman who has
been at work for me for a short time.
She was about your height and size.
Here it is" taking dress from nail.
$50 into the house and put it on, and
| will turn your pony loose in the woods
In an hour or two he will be far enough
from here.
, When she returned, the young man
was turned into a tall, awkward woman
, Martha added to his toilet large hand
, kerchef pinned across the breast, and
, an immense green sunbonnet which
| shaded his face completely.
| "Anv one would take you for Der
tha," she said, surveying him critical
". "She don't speak word of En-.
glish, so you needn't open your lips
and she wore her sunbonnet even a.
meals. Oh, I forgot your boots. Here
put on this pair of father old Shoes
Don't you hear horses galloping?'
cried the youth, his face getting ghast
ly.
Martha listened. Yes, there was ne
doubt of it. Horsemen were coming
rapidly down the road. The young
man was trembling in every limb.
"It's not that I'm afraid of death, ,
} he said Ppm not coward; but such
:. shameful, unjust death -
|, "This won't do" she interrupted
, "Your nervousness will betray you
Here, take this rake, and scrape up tn,
7 dead leaves in the yard. No one will
: notice then that you tremble so. AND
/ look here, when the men come int
: the yard, don't 60 on with your worl
, with your face turned away. Tha
: would be suspicious. just put you
: two hands ON the rake-so; and res
vour chin on them, and look boldly a