The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-10-30

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had dep'rted with the herd for the bills
distant s1me three miles, where he would
be absent until night, when suddenly Mr..
Latbrop called to his vile from he log
barn. The young woman ran to the
door
Nellie. dear" said her husband, I've
just found, greatly to nv surprise, that
we're all out of salt The sheep need
it, and must have barrel to-day. I've
got to 60 TO the creek for il and will not
he hack before night. johnson will be
up with the sheep early. Goodbye"
A wave of his hand. rattle OF the
heavy wagon, the quick heat OF the
horses hoofs, and Frank Lathrop was
gone, leaving his young wife alone in
the roadside ranch. But the frontier
woman turned back into her cabin after
she had watched her husband out OF
sight, with not q thought OF danger an2
hardly one of loneliness amid all the
work which her busy hands could find
to do.
1t was high noon; for q little the
young mistress had rested. while the soft
warmth Of the springtime had almost
lulled her to sleep. Then che had pre-
pared and eaten plain dinner, all alone,
and now she was engaged in washing
the few dishes used, humming low love
song as she worked, and counting tho
flight OF the moments that intervened
before her husbands return by the creep
ing shadows upon the distant mountain
side. As she worked her hack was turn
ed toward the open door and she did not
see the darker shadows that suddenly
fell across the rough floor, nor note the
crunch of heavy boots upon the fresh
green grass, until resoundirg football
upon the step startled fer, and she turn
ed quickly to meet the iirst caller who
had appeared that days tall, ferce-
looking, bearded man who stood before
her.
"Missis, who lives here2 p
The tone was harsh and threatening,
hut the question was common one and
Nellie replied:
my husband, Mr.. Lathrop, and my
SELF
where's the boss ?"
"My husbandf He's gone to the
Creek for barrel OF salt"
where's your hired help3'
"We only have one man, and he is not
here now. Can I do anything for you ?
VS." growied the black bearded
one; ives, yei can. Yer can do this for
me. Git a good dinner for three hum
cry cusses IS hasn't had tim: to git their
own. Come in. boys," he continued.
turning toward the door; "it's all clear.
The cocks away; naught but the hen
at home, al we'll have dinner"
For a moment poor Mrs. Lathrop felt
faint, and the world, sunlit and warm,
danced before her eyes. then full strength
came again as she saw this burly savage
ding himself into q chair and lay two
enormous pistols beside his elbow on the
table, while pair Of others, each wild
and tattered and ferce-looking IS the
leader, folio wed him; full of strength,
even while she realized who it was that
sat within her kitchen, the man "whose
heart was az black as hls heard Black
Dan, the ruff IN OF NV Mexico. who
only two days ago, with these very com.
panions, had CON mitted robbery and
murder. This was the man who de.
manded dinner, and Mrs Lalhrop knew
it
"Don't waste yer time. rnissis," sui
denly spoke the leader turning quickly
and fastening his fierce, hold eyes upon
the young hostess; don't waste yer time
nor yer words. Git dinner"
There was no mistaking the command,
and the tone in which it was uttered
meant far no )re than the w)rls Mrs
L,throp hegan at o,ca to lay the table.
"We're busted miners, missus," began
Black Dan, with a wink to his comrades,
"completely busted, an can't pay What
We give Us to eat must he fer charity -
We amt even got nc weepins, except
these pistils O. mine, an them we're
keep;n' to help US ont up at the creek |
an heg:in' to git thar"
Poor N lie heard all this, believing |
not one word, but working stea lily on.
frying eggs, making tea and Supplying
the table with bread and butter and cake.
When all vas ready she placed chairs
and told her enforced guests that dinner
was prepared for them. Awaiting no
second invitation they hastily seated
themselves and began to eat.
Suddenly the leaier of the trio paus-
ed and turned sharply toward Mrs. La
thrnp.
"Missus, are ye scared at such wild
looking fellows as we'uns2 Did you
ever see our likes before ?"
1t was test question. Black Dan
wished to know il this little woman who
led them 50 willing knew aught of the
robbery at the Pesk, or suspected who
abe entertained Even while her heart
eaped in fear she answereds
"Oi. indeed, I'm not scared! Why
should l bep I've seen busted miner.
before. I'm glad to be able to help
you"
Eyer a little brick!' rjacnlsted Black
Dan, IAN when marry I'll lopk round
first and see eff you're wildly! Here"
ne continued, lifting his pistols from the
,ahle and extending them to her, "I'll
ask one more favor o. We. The charges
10 them weepins is wet and ef We kin
iraw 'em an relpai 'em it will be a
great blessin'."
Mechanically Mrs. Lsthrop took the
pistols and tnrnei toward the chest
where her husband kept his arms and
But even as she did so q gu iden idea,
IN inspiration almost, flashed through
her brain. These men were now un-
armed; her husbands double barreled
shotgun loaded stood in the corner; !,
whv not capture the murderers horselt!
Instantly the brave woman put the
thought into execution Dropping the
pistols she quickly seizai the gun, rais-
ed both hammers to full cock, and turn
ng presented it at the trio about her
able.
BLACK Din. Won AMI your comrades
ire my prisoners y
It NAV be her voice mbled; it would
hardly have heen strange if iL did, but
Ter hant did not. AMI the three desper-
ldoes looked with p,ling cheeks into
ho hlonE yr,n1ulao that aau>roI kho,,