Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23

Easton and get this hundred,dollax bill !
changed at the bank. The workmen
have got done with the roofing OF the
barn and I want to pay them of to
night. 81.
Every. we'll, father Let John put
the side-saddle on and will be ready in
five minutes.
The sorre] mare was brought up to
the door, and Maude was soon on her
way at an easy hand gallop' toward Eas-
ton. She had an excellent seat, and |
was a good horse-woman. As she knew
this very well she would not have ob.
jected to have Harry see her just now;
but he had gone few moments before |
IN an opposite direction.
When Araude got into Easton she rode
directly to the bank. but was unfortu-
nate enough to find that it was already
| closed. After a few mement's thought
she resolved to try and get the note
changed at the grocer's or at some OF
the other stores, md went Immediately
to do SO. Fate seemed against her. for
no one had small change enough to ac-
commodate Miss Henderson.
at one Of the stores wnere she stop
ped, a very gentlemanlyTlooking person
took out his pocket-book and said he
thought he could change it for her, and
she handed him the bill: but he return
ed it saying, after all, he bad not so
much small money. He seemed tore
gret this, however, and even followed
Maude to the door and assisted her to
remouut her horse.
She was forced to give up her errand,
as she did not like to run about among
strar gers, asking them to change her
BILL especially as no one seemed able to
, do so. She therefore turned her horses
head once more towards home. Scarce
" had she passed the outskirts of the
town when site was overtaken 10y the
stranger who had spoken with her III
+ the last store. and who at first thought
he could change her bull, He was
mounted upon fine. looking bay horse,
and saluted her respectfully as he came
, alongside.
, ''Dld you get your bill changed?" he
. asked.
! "No; small bills seemed scarce, . she
replied.
. "Do you live near here?'
"ibout five miles of.
;. Quite ride.
"Oh, we don't mind five miles in the
coultry.'
4 You are an excellent rider
o 81 have ridden since l was six years
n old. she said; "but my sister Ellen IS q
n better rider than am.
! "You are generous to admit it, said
). the stranger.
!, why, it is only the TRUTH" she ans
- wered frankly.
II After they had passed over two Mules
o they came to very lonely place OF the
% road. quite removed from any dwelling
houses. Still as the stranger appeared
| sc, polit,, she had not the least suspl
v clon OF any evil intention On his part.
to Presently he said, suddenly, Il vii
thank you for that bill.
H. "What?" said she half smiling
% "Plcase to give me that bill.
"What do you mean?' asked Maude
"Just what say" he replied, sudden
~ Iy.
q. II shall do 40 such thing" she ans
I'd wercd firmly.
or 81 am sorry to draw pistol on
~ lady," he continued, suiting the actio
to the word, "hut must have thi
"a hundred-dolIar bill at once.
III, "Do you mean to rob me?
Il must have the money!
la 1t was with ulihculty that she coul
or believe that the mau WAS III earnes
N but when he now cooked his pistol al
an held it towards her with one hand, WIN
he extended the other for the bill, 81
an. was forced to yield to the necessity
aid the situation. She was hrave-heartt
girl, and even now did not turn pale n
~. tremble III the least, but saw that 81
;, could not help herself and SO made Il
best of It.
=, Just as she held the bill to him,
sudden puff OF the wind blew it into t
md road and carried it gently several var
& . from them. The stranger alighted
II get it aud quick as thought Mau
to- struck her horse a smart blow in ord
~ to act out of the robbers power. L
sorrel mare was aspirited little creatul
.or- and sprung i'll smart gallop at ont
I'm while the strangers horse. which h
been left standing beside her, also sta
:. ed OF at full speed in her company
Of Bang. wen. the robbers pistol af
nat them, hayina only the effect 10 incre:
rot the speed OF the -hying horses, both
self whom were now on the dead RI
,out Maudc did not care how fast she rot
ards the sorrel was as easy as cradle at Il
life. speed, and III ten minutes she dasl
and into her fathers yard followed by
be riderless horse.
for Her story was soon told, and
father was with difficulty prevented fr
5 he starting after the robber with his pis,
tion and rifle, but he knew that the SEQ
four drel would naturally take to the WOO
where he could not follow or find him
dar- "Well, we've got his horse, at .
tile. rate" SAID the farmer; land lie Is wo
l. more than S1o0.
low. ..Hallo!'' said the man john who
Why, been taking the saddle-oags from
strange horse.
said What is it, .John?'
These bags are full OF something
by Il should think so.' said the farm
as lie uns,rapped the leather bags.