The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-10-30
Selfrt Stury.
A BRAVE WOMAN.

Twenty years ago, and while the pres
ent populous city Of Denver was kno VII
as Cherry Creek, when P.ke's Peak wa.
to the adventurous soul what Leadville
and the camps OF Gunnison are to-day,
there live'i on the "gold trail." running
from the settlements to the foot Of the
mountains, rarcher by the name o.
Ralph Lathrop. He was young man
who, with his young wife, bad come TO
this far-swsy Country from Illinois, viii.
ling to work and determined to win O
home among the blue peaks OF Colora-
do. He had built small log cabin lit
i tie off from the main trail, ard was en-
gagged in raising cattle and sheep for
home consumption at the time Of which
We write. His family consisted of him
self and wife and single hired man.
Indians we're neither plenty nor dan.
gerous, the Wild beasts of the country
had retired to escape being shot. and the
travellers to and fro upon the trail. though
often rough were seldom ugly. 80 that
when bu-iness demanded Mr.. Lathrop
did not hesitate to leave his wife alone
at the ranch for day and night at a
time
Oae evening a. supper, spring night.
with the odor of the fresh grasses and
the buidiug leaves perfumi ny lhsair, the
hired man, Johnson, delivered mos,
startling piece OF news.
"Did We hear o. the robbery at the
Peak 2--killin', too, understand jim
Bartlett. from the Creek, passed to-day
an hA was ,eilin' me. Seems gang
o these plain fellows. rongh riders,
reckon, dropped into camp last nigh'
and took all the boys gold and shot two
O. the miners. THEY'VE made for the
mountains, it's s'posed. but the hull Peak
is afer them. They'll swing the crowd
II they catch EN-"
"Who were the des 2eradoes 2" asked
Lathrop.
"There we're only three on 'em. an
Back Dan, him as was hung in New
Mexico, was one. ] guess they don't
know the Others" replied J ,hnsou.
"Back Dan!' said the master. 81
thought he was on the Pacific coast.
He's one Of the worst men ever IN this
State. hope they will catch the party
and serve them with border Justice, quick
and sure. shall feel better to know that
that rascal is under the sod I"
"Why, Ralph P' said his wife, Nellie;
"vou are surel, not afraid Of the man
Why should you wish him evil ?"
"He's terror TO any community and
a danger to any S'ste, returned her hus
tand. "a murderer. and worse; hung
in New Mexico for revolving crimes, but
rescued by bis comrades; man whose
heart is as black as his flowing beard. ami
whose hands are red with human blood,
I wish him no evil-only justice and
short rope! And he'll get it II the Peak
bows catch him.
Quiet Mrs Lsthrop looked wonder
ingly at her husband. Surely this ed
despe, ado must be of the worst that
Ralph should speak so of him And the
memory of her husbands words came 10
her afterward.
Night tell; the shadow OF q departing
winter yet rendering chill all the world
behind him, and ss the doors were closed
and barred-for this ranch was miles
from the nearest neighbcr-iresh loga
were thrown upon the fire, while the IL.
tie household still talked OF the tragedy
at the Peak and the fleeing robbers pur-
sued hy the vengefnl miners.
s.Well," said johnson at last as be
roae to go to The loft and his he'd, II
only hope wit. you, Mr.. Lsthrop. that
they may catch 'em. TIE country'll be
better without EN-"
An hour later sleep ruled. and not un
I'll the early dawn, fresh and rosy, crepi
over the eastern h,ll-,ops did the little
unbar its doors tgsin. With
the return of day thoughts Of the even
ing before we're forgotten What had
they TO do With wolves. They mus, care
for the she'p.