Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-15
A PLUCKY GIRL.
BY CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRD.

he declared his inability to furnish
story for that evening.
You have already heard that, which
is no adventure of. mine, by the way,
or at least l played very unimpor-
tant part
It's so long since 1 heard it that the
has escaped my memory,
returned the lady.
The Colonel acquiesced and said:
1T is pretty story enough; but the
heroine did not consider me in the
least, can promise you. Did you
never think how seldom an adventure
crosses the path of a married man?
They are either shot dead, and there
is nothing to tell, Or"
Perhaps the actors keep the story to
themselves, / suggested, 'for fear Of
more adventures at home
"Well, l was party in the affair,
if not principal, and the matter is as
follows:
There was young man, whom l
will call Frank Tooke, in my regi
ment. He was the nephew Of a farm
er dwelling in Missouri near the place
where l was located at that time.
Frank had entered the service with
out his uncle's consent, and, indeed,
against his inclination; for the old
gentleman had 'learnings' in the con-
trary direction.
His distaste was not so strong, how
ever, but that he invited the story teller
to accompany Frank to The farm house
to tea.
i refused twice or thrice; but as the
farmer continued his solicitations, l at
last appointed day, and accompanied
by Frank, rode over to the farmer S
house.
awe were we'll received, and every
thing done to make the visit pleas
ant; but as 1t contains nothing remark
ableI shall pass it.
"But one object of my observation
was the young woman who displayed
so much energy few hours later.
"She was the daughter of a neigh
Dor, and as l soon suspected from sew
eral glances l witnessed between
Frank and herself, she had been in.
vited by Mr. Took's daughters tc
meet their cousin.
''She was a pretty girl, with darl
hair and eyes, bright and good
natured. AS sat alone with Franz
for few minutes just before sundown
he told me all about her, and some
thing that seemed to interest hin
above the rest-she was his promised
wife.
$50 far the visit was fair as coulc
be described; but misfortune wa
gathering, and soon after night set in
it descended.
alt was warm evening, and tn
windows of the sitting room, sopeninl
out upon long veranda, had beer
raised to admit the air.
ave we're seated quietly, listening
I believe, to the mistress of Frank
affections while she played a rollick
ing war tune upon the antiquities
organ, when happened to turn to
ward the windows, and saw a sigh
that brought me upon my feet i'm
mediately.
GA large, bearded man stood upo
the veranda looking into the room
He held long rifle in his hands, an
as l rose presented 1t at my head.
=" No resistance" he said, harsh}J
and stepping in through the window
was followed by half.a dozen mer
"All was excitement and alarm
The women screamed, and old M,
Tooke swore; but it was all of no us'
Il had been warned before comm
to the farm house that detachment {
Hildebrand's bushwhackers were lurl
ing in the neighborhood, and I at ono
concluded that | had fallen into the
Il power.
"They had surrounded the hous
and escape was impossible. Fran
and myself were soon bound to OF
chairs at the mercy of the rascals.
"They did not attempt to plundt
the house. Perhaps they had som
respect for Mr.. Tooke:s principles b.
nothing he could say prevailed upc
the fellows to release their prisoner
4 heard that after the first burst
Eexcitement was over Miss Brad
Franks betrothed, seemed to becon
: strangely composed.
She whispered few words in tt
ear of Mr.. Tooke, and then left IL
room.
The old man came up to the lead
of the gang and invited him to pa
take Of cold collation. and son
liquor he had that day procured.
sThls offer was accepted at orc
and the outlaws were very merry f
half an hour-so long as the liqu
lasted---but they we're careful to ha
a guard upon us, and no opportuni
presented itself for our escape.
sAt last they prepared to leave t
house, and we were led into the va
and mounted upon pair of po
: horses behind two powerful ruffans.
The band rode off at a good pac
which was kept up until we arrived
a thick wood upon the bank of rive
: five miles from Mr.. Tooke's resident
This seemed to be the rendezvo
of the gang. for fires were smnlderll