Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-07-17
THE NEW HlsD.

as he and his worthy mate sat in family
council ON the days events, according 10
their won't
The topic was George Dyer, the new
hand Mr.. Bryson had hired that day
with something less than his usual cir
cumspection Tor il was not his custom
10 employ chance corners, Of whom he
knew nothing, without reference. But
IL was the throng Of the season, and
laborers were scarce, and the young
man had an open, honest countenance,
a supple. well-knit frame, and didn't
look bit lazy. So the farmer took him
on trial.
ct don't think he's ever done farm
work afore," continued Mr.. Bryson !;
"his hands don't look like il. But he's
amazin' quick at takin' up things. He
don't need more'n a wink TO take q
hint"
"And he's downright good lookin',"
added Dame Bryson, stopping 10 take
up a stitch she had dropped in her knit
ting.
"The first virtue in a woman's eyes.
Of course" retorted the farmer, with q
bantering chuckle. "But there's more
to him than good looks, l can tell you.
He's got head full of sense. You know
what a knowledgable chap Hiram
Gooch sets up TO lie. Well, he come
along at restin' time to-day, and tackled
the new hand on the labor questi'n.
Dyer fought shy at first, but, when
Hiram crowded him, he just turned
on him with few keen p'ints which
Hiram sad lac hadn't time to answer
then, and it's my opinion it'll be long
time afore he will"
al wonder what keeps Nora" said the
farmers wife, looking anIiously at the
clock.
81 guess she's stoppin' awhile 10 chat
with Neighbor buttons gals" replied
the farmer. "You know how il is with
youngsters. But where's Dyers I'm
almost sorry spoke up SO thoughtless
TO Nora about bringin' that money Farm
err button promised to send for the oats.
think Dyer's all right, but one can't
be too particular with strangers.
"Pve no fears on the new bands &C
count" Mrs. Bryson answered; " but
that ill-lookin tramp that had his sup
per in the kitchen was Just goin' out Of
the front gate when you spoke to Nora,
and he may have heard you"
An anxious look came over the farm.
er's face, and, DOMINIC his hat and tax.
ing up stout stick, he sailed out.
The evening shades had gathered, and
II was almost dark when Nora Bryson
left Farmer buttons TO return home.
Her path lay through lonely wood,
and she felt little nervous as she hur.
ried along, starting now and then as al
occasional rustic broke the stiffness.
She had completed nearly half the way,
and was wishing the other half safely
finished, when sound of hurried and
As she imagined. stealthy steps, ap
preaching the path a little in advance
and as il from one side, arrested her at |
tention.
The next moment mans form
blocked the way. Nora would have
turned and fed, but fright overcams
her, and she stood trembling and
speechless.
"Give me the money you have about
you ! commanded voice, coarse and
brutal
I'll have no money" Nora man.
aged TO falter. And she spoke truly,
for Farmer button had not been ready
to send the amount she had been com.
missioned to receive, promising to bring
1t over himself in few days.
at is false |" the man growled saw
agely; and when Nora repeated her de.
NAL his rage became ungovenable.
"Give it 10 me instantly or I'll kill
you'll" he Missed through his clenched
teeth.
Nora uttered a faint cry and turned
to flee, but the mans hand gripped her
arm like a wise, and, with shudder, she
felt the cold muzzle Of a pistol pressed
against her temple
With the quickness of flash another
figure appeared upon the scene, and two
well-directed blows, delivered in 80
quick succession that they must have
seemed TO their recipient as one, sent
Nora's assailant sprawling 10 the earth.
She was conscious of no more till she
found herself supported by strong arm
with the dim outlines of an anxious face
bent over her.
"Do you feel better, Miss Bryson ?"
inquired voice. which she instantly
as that of the new hand.
eyes, ] feel quite well now" she an
swered, in tone full Of unspoken
thanks. "How fortunate your presence
was at 80 critical a moment 1"
"Iheard what your father said about
Ihe'money," he replied. "and observed
that it was overheard by a suspicious
looking person passing out at the gate,
and. knowing the way you were 10 come.
thought il prudent, without alarming
others, TO keep watch for your safety"
Glow can ever sufficiently thank