Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-03
a DEED Or DARING.


4 DEED Or DARING.
Brave Colorado Girl Defends Her
Home while Parents Were ABSENT.
Denver News.
On the rolling ground just where
the prairie ends and the foothills be
gin between Golden and Denver there
stood Some years ago a log cabin OF
good proportions IN the center of Gull
tivated fields. The com1nodious barns
and outhouses and the general sur
roundings showed thrift and industry
and indicated that the owner had
passed the period of struggling ex-
istence, which was the lot Of the early
pioneers VINO had every thing to make
and everything to do with the ma
terials furnished by nature before a
farm and home were accomplished
facts. The owner of this prosperous
ranch was Jim Denman. known far
and wide as one OF the Oldest settlers
in the country. Jim was blessed with
wife, who had shared every hardship
and braved every danger with him,
and two daughters and son, the lat
ter child of 7, the others 10 and IS
years old respectively. Oae day in
the fall Of 1879 the father discovered
that
THE FLOUR AND BACON
and some other needed provisions
were about exhausted, and as soon as
breakfast was over he harnessed the
horse to the blackboard and made
other preparations for visit to Dem
yer. Mrs. D:nman resolved to ae-
company him, as it was necessary to
purchase material for the children s
winter clothing, and as she expressed
it, ''men don't know anything about
these things and are always imposed
upon at the Stores" One difficulty
presented itself to them, however.
they would be obliged to leave the
children alone TO keep hGuse, their
misglvlDgs arising partially from the
fact that with q shrswdness which, if
not entirely mistaken, was at least
doubtful, q considerable SUM of money
was kept concealed in the house, as
banks were so uncertain." This
money Was being saved up to pur-
chase an adjoining farm, and was the
cause of much seiicitude on their parts,
It's hiding place being frequently
changed, it being at the present time
under some stones composing the
hearth Of the large fireplace. But
them" as Mrs. Denman said In an
swer to the objections Of her husband,
Bertha was large girl and Ella and
Tom
WERE BRAVE AND OBEDIENT
children and there could be nothing
10 fear. Then, again, they would be
home before nightfall." So it WAS
finally settled that the children should
keep house alone for the FIRST time in
their lives. Admonishing them to be
good, be careful of the fires and not
admit any strangers TO the house Den
man and his wife departed on their
journey.
Nothing of moment occurred during
the day, the two younger children
amusing themselves at play, whilst
the elder, full of the dignity Of her
new position, played the part Of ma
iron to perfection. Finally the sun
went down behind the Mountains,
leaving the crimson hued semi-twi-
light for which Colorado is famous.
Bertha began to feel a little uneasi-
ness, as 1t was time her father and
mother had returned. For the fourth
time she went out on the stoop and
peered through the fast coming dark
ness down the road, hoping TO see the
familiar form Of old Ben, the family
horse, drawing her parents home.
Suddenly, with their forms magnlfed
against the still Redeemed sky, she saw
at the turn of the road two horsemen
rapidly approaching in the direction
of the house. Remembering the ad-
monltlons of her parents, she quickly
entered the house, closing and secure
~ fastening the heavy door and
LISTENED IN BREATHLEss SUSPENSE
for their approach, holding her
hand on her heart as If to still its
fearful beatings. She had not long to
wait, however, for socn thereawas
loud knock at the door, followed by
demand iii rough voice for admit
lance The two younger children re-
treated to the bedroom, while the
elder remained in the main Or civ
ing" room Failing to receive any re-
ply TO their demand, the men outside
began threatening things if they were
not admitted at once. The little
maiden, with courage beyond her
years, remem oered that over the
mantlepiece was hanging her fathers
rifle, which was kept constantly load
ed, and getting chair she soon had
| it detached from the nail on which it
was hung. It was so heavy she
could hardly lift it. but resting it upon
| the back of chair she directed the