Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-05-01
4 gAil-GAsslss's EXPERIENCE.

lIle WAL was 1ouh h''''' " 49,
carried the mail between Madison and
Macon, Georgia. His name was Robert
Lovic. He used his eyes and ears pretty
well, and never-fond as he was of a
good story-told lies. TO say Bob
Lovic says so" was to certify to the
truth of a statement. which was certain
ly to his credit; and moreover, he was
honest as the day, and could have been
entrusted with untold gold or uncount-
ed diamonds. Morally you could not
find a fault with Boo. Mentally he was
very well for an educated man; but he
had one great failing-great particular
ly, in the eyes of pretty Annie Wesley,
who otherwise esteemed Bob perfection.
class of persons who term themselves
"free thinkers"
This theological difference at last led
to little quarrel, and Bob tried to get
Annie out of his mind, but failed to do
it; and Annie was very miserable, as
well for the sake of Bob's soul as for
herself; for though she had offers in
plenty, not one-not even rich John
Grab, who had ever so many acres of
land-could be compared for moment
in her mind TO Bob, had Bob only held
proper sentiments.
SO, though they kept apart fora whole
month, at last one bright morning, as
Bob rode along, slowly and stupidity for
him, he saw, sitting under tree, lit
tie figure in a blue dress that he couldn't
pass to save his life. So he stopped his
horse and called out
"Annie, is that you?"
eyes, Bob," said Annie, showing a
pair of wet eyes. 81 came here on pur-
pose TO see you. I've talked in my wo-
manish words, but you talked so much
better than /, that of course, it's OF no
use; and all the while there is One who
talks so plainly to us, and the words are
here; and Ive brought them to you and
please dear Bob, to read them, and per-
haps-"
She did not finish the sentence, but
placed a pretty Bible in Bob's hand.
"I've had it bound very nicely for
you, and oh! for my sake read tit
will teach you so much, Bob-so very
much :"
Bob took the book. For moment he
felt annoyed, and much like sneering,
but Annie was dear to him; so he kept
his anger down for her sake, thanked
her for her present, and placed it in the
breast pocket of his coat.
"As if | were TO be converted like a
sinner in tractn' said Bob, after he
had ridden on little. "But women are
not expected to have minds like ours"
And out OF another pocket he pulled an
intidel tract, which a friend, an unbe-
lieving doctor, had loaned him, and fell
to reading.
1t was not a very wise thing, as the
horse left TO himself, stumbled over
something in the road and was lalned ;
not badly, it seemed, but it forced Bob
to dismount and stop at country store
to examine and bathe the limb, and lie
then had to allow the beast to take his
own time afterward, so that instead of
trotting briskly into Macon before SUM-
down the young man found himself be-
lated on lonely road hours after the
sun had quite vanished-his horse grow
ing lamcr and his hopes Of supper quite
gone.
"HaEg the tractn' growled Bot.
"what did | bother with it for?" And
he gave the paper toss into a clump oi
bushes, and then his mind went back to
Annie Wesley's Bible.
He felt for il. 1t was safe. He was
somehow better, and he walked along
with his bride over his arm in quite a
melancholy mood.
Suddenly shadow fell across the
road. Bob looked up. Straight before
him; man sat with q black mask on
his face and pistol in his hand.
"Halt!" commanded the individual,
ferociously; and Bob halted. "If you
are quiet, you will come to no hafm,"
said the man. 81 only want your mail
bag. / happen to know that il is worth
something tonight, and Pve followed
you from the store back yonder. There
amt soul within hearing and you may
as well take it coolly; am armed, you
see; you are not. Hand over the bag"
"Never :" exclaimed Bob. "The mail
bag is in my care-entrusted; III guard
it rs long as have breath in my body"
THAT won't be long" with coarse
laugh, "if you don't listen to reason"
Bob, for reply, mounted his horse and
sat behind the mail bag.
"Your life is in danger" warned the
robber. 81 intend to have these letters,
and life isn't worth much to me. I'm
in earnest; no fOoling!" and he took
deliberate aim at Bob Lovic's breast.
Bob was unarmed and he loved life
dearly, but he was no coward. 1t was
useless to try to overcome the robber.
He had only his fists-rather useless
weapons under the circumstances; but
he Showed fight" and as the robber's s
anger kindled he fired. The aim was
good. The little ball Of lead lodged in
Bob's coat, just where the heart should
have been, and Bob staggered.
He was shocked rather than hurt, and
in that moment OF excitement he re-
membered having heard that it was often
SO in mortal injuries. Probably he had