St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-12-08


Mr.. Henderson 7" said Harry Masters.
"Why, yes; you are promising and
respectable young man, and come of a
good family" said the farmer; ''but |
can't let Maude go until have got to-
gether a respectable marriage portion
to give with her hand"
perhaps you will think more favor
ably about it, said the lover. T'll
speak with you again"
'All right, Mr.. Masters"
Harry and Maude were very fond of
each other, and now talked over the
matter very seriously. Maude could
not blame her father, and did not her
self like the idea of going to Harry
without proper portion to contribute
toward their joint partnership in do
mestic life.
"Never mind, Harry" said the hand
some young girl; "Ellen will soon be
married, | have pretty good reason for
knowing
"Ah, but then your father says he
wants time to pick up a marriage por-
ton for you, and that will take three
or four years, perhaps"
''That is Il good while, is it not, Har-
ry ?" said Maude, just blushing little,
for fear it sounded forward and bold.
"It's ages !" said the young fellow.
"'Think of waiting three years-why,
we shall be old folks by that time ~
"Not quite so bad as that" said
Maude.
"I'm sure my hair will be gray by
that timer
Nonsense, Harry You are joking"
81 was never more in earnest in my
life," said he, as he stole kiss from
her pretty lips, and ran away so as not
to hear her chide him for his bOldness.
"Maude," said her father, coming in
to the house from the barn, 81 wish
you would ride the sorrel mare into
Easton and get this 800 bill changed
at the bank. The workmen have got
done with the roofing of the barn and
| want to pay them off tonight"
Every well, father. Let John put
the sidesaddle on and | will be ready
in five minutes.'
The sorrel mare was brought up to
the door, and Maude was soon oil her
way at an easy hand gallop toward
EastOn. She had an excellent seat,
and was good horse e-woman. As she
knew this very well, she would not
|
just now but he had gone il few mo-
ments before in an opposite direction.
When Maude got into EastOn she
rode directly to the bank, but was un-
fortunate enough to find that it was al
ready closed. After a few moments
! thought she resolved to try to get the
note changed at the grocer's, or at some
of the other stores, and went immedi-
ately to do so. Fate seemed against
her, for no one had small change
enough to accommodate Miss Hender-
son.
At one of the stores where she
stopped a very gentlemanly looking
person took out his pocketbOOk and
said he thought he could change it for
her, and she handed him the bill; but
he returned it, saying, after all, he had
not so much small money. He seemed
to regret this, however, and even fol-
lowed Maude to the door and assisted
her to remOunt her horse.
She was forced to give up her errand,
as she did not like to run about among
strangers asking them to change her
bill, especially as no one seemed able
to do so. She therefore turned her
horses head once more toward home.
Scarcely had she passed the outskirts
of the town when she was Overtaken
by the stranger who had spoken to her
in the last store, and who at first
thought he could change her bill. He
was mounted upon fine-lOoking bay
horse, and saluted her respectfully as
he came alongside.
''Did you get your bill changed ?" he
asked
'No; small bills seemed scarce" she
replied
ADO you live near here ?"
"About five miles Off"
"Quite a ride"
"Oh, we don't mind five miles in the
country"
'You are an excellent rider"
81 have ridden since | was six years
old" she said; ''but my sister Ellen il
better rider than am"
''YOu are generous to admit it," said
the stranger.
"Why, it is only the TRUTH" she an
swered, frankly.
After they had passed over about
two miles they came to Il very lonely
piece of the road, quite removed from
any dwelling-houses. Still, as the
stranger appeared so gentlemanly, ant
had addressed her SO politely, she haC
not the least suspicion of any evil in
tention on his part.
Presently he said, suddenly: 81 will
thank You for that bill"
"What ?" said she, half smiling.
= ''Please to give me that bill"
"What do you mean 2" asked Maude
, "Just what say" he replied, sud
denly.
'I shall do no such thing" she an
:, swered, firmly.
: 81 am sorry to draw pistol upon
! lady" he continued, suiting the actor
: to the word, "but | mast have tha
! hundred dollar bill at once"
"DO you mean to rob me y
:. 81 must have the money ~
1t was with difficulty that she coulC
. believe that the man was i'll earnest
but when he now cooked his pistol anC
held it toward her with one hand, whil
he extended the other for the bill, sh,
,, was forced to yield to the necessity O
the situation. She was a brave hearted
:, girl, and even now did not turn pal
: nor tremble i'll the least, but saw tina
she could not help herself and so mad
\ the best of it.
just as sne Helu Ine Dill 10 MIN
= sudden puff of the wind blew it int
y the road and carried it gently severa
yards from them. The stranger alight
ed % get it, and quick as though
= Maude struck her horse a smart blow
= in order to get out of the robbers pow
er. The sOrrel mare was a spirite
little creature, and sprung into IA smar
gallop at once; while the stranger
horse, which had been left standing be
side her, also started off at full spec
:, in her company.