The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-07-27
THE GOLDEN CROSS.

About the beginning of the late war, a
man bent on weighty business, and bear
ing important dispatches and large sum
of money about his person, found himself
belated at night in one of the widest and
most thinly- populated quarters of 4
southern state.
He was in the heart OF dense wood,
and not far from q deadly and treacher-
Gus swamp. To lie down to rest would
have been simply suicide; yet he was
worn with fatigue and no habitation ap-
peared in sight. Dismounting, he led his
horse by the birdie and tried in vain to
discover by the sense of touch the road
he should follow.
Il must find some shelter for the
night" be said. The people hereabout
have not a very good reputation; but 1
am not afraid of men. and / do not fear
swamp fever and scorpions. I'll call:
there may be some one within hearing"
On this he sent up shout that proved
his lungs to be in good condition, and fol-
lowed 1t by another and another. After
this third he paused and listened. A
faint ''hallo" seemed 10 echo his, and in a
moment more there appeared among the
trees the figure of an old man who held n
lantern in one hand and shaded his eyes
with the other.
''Who is thst;" cried the parsonage;
Zone OF the boys,"
"A stranger" said the traveller ''Tm
lost in this confouuded place. Can you
tell me where ! can get sheltert''
"Who are you and where do you come
frorn,''
Il came from farther north: travelling
on business; my name is Hogan. can
pay for anything ! ask, and shall be
thankful, too"
''All right. Come along. Ny house
amt far Of" And turning he tottered
away into the darkness
The traveller put his hand upon the pis-
tol At his belt and followed him. A few
steps forward, and amid a dense mass of
foliage they made their way 10 the door
OF hut. Within, fire burnt upon a
rude hearth Over it girl croached, idly
looking into the embers.
That's my darter," said the old man.
Were all alone here, and its a poor
place, and you re welcome. Walk in; I'll
see your horse Is cared for"
The girl looked up sharply. and looked
down again with flush ON her face. The
old man drew 4 broken chair toward the
blaze and lit pine torch.
"A fire is comfortable these damp
nights IL il is warm he said. make
some coffee and an ash-cake for US, Nan
ME. The gentleman's hungry, no
doubt
81 confess am, !" said Hogan, takingthe
proffered chair And do not know what
should have done tonight without your
hospitality
Meanwhile, the girl, handsome erea-
ture of seventeen, lazily prepared a meal
She moved slowly, but she did not do her
work badly. The coffee smelt well, and
the ash-cake was brown.
When it was done she sat apart and
watched the men they ate, and listened
TO the old mans questions and the strang-
er's answers.
Afterward she spread upon the floor a
bed of straw and a blanket, and glided
out of the room.
Il hope you'll sleep well, :" said the old
man. Good night. SIR
Good night" said Hogan, but he
thought at the same time:
"You seem to be a very hospitable old
gentleman, but you have the face OF
rascall'
Throwing off his coat he stretched him
self upon the bed, and in five minutes
found himself fast sinking into slumber
The pine torch hickered on the wall, the
embers died out in the CRATE, when sud
denly hand rested on his arm and u
voice whispered in his ear:
Stranger, I've got something TO tell
you"
Hogan started up. The girl knelt be-
side him with her finger on her lip.
Get up" she said, land put on your
coat. The sooner you are OF the better.
| The old man lied when he said was his
daughter; he has gone for the boys He
said to me just now, I've found out his
business. He must have plenty of money
with him. and / know whot he means
i FTHG-
hour, and you are u dead man If you don't
60 now"
Hogan started to his feet. Stitched in
his belt were several thousand dollars,
and he remembered that he had chartered
away almost indiscreetly, fancying the
old man would know no more than he
chose to tell.
''pm a fool, he muttered, starting TO
his feet. This is no silly Jest, girll''
Gods TRUTH said the girl. 1--WE seen
| sights that would make you move faster
than you're doing now if you had seen
them. There-Sct you< horse and come.
| I'll show you which way to take. They'll
kill me IL they suspect me; but l reckon
I'll ward them off. Come"
As in a dream Hogan followed her.
She led him by the hand through thick
woods until they came TO wide opening.
Mount" She said, "and ride that way.
Make all the speed you can. I've done
all can TO save your life. Jack Hogan"
''God bless you," said he. You know
my name, see. If the time should ever
come when i can do as much for you 1
will"
Perhaps" she said doubtfully.
''You have saved my life, childr' he
said as he mounted his horse. lit is n
debt man don't forget in hurry. Lis
ten; l swear that if / can ever do any
thing for you 1 will swear on this"
| He drew n little golden cross from his
breast and kissed it. Keep it to remind
| me of the oath if / should forget it, he
said, and put il into her hand Then, as
man rides for his life, he rode away and
reached his destination in safety.
Two years from that night Captain
Jack Hogan sat alone in his tent writing
| letter home. There was some one at
home who waited for these letters anx-
iously, and who wore them fondly in her
| bosom. Thoughts of her softened the
soldiers heart. Glad, indeed, would he
have been to leave war and all its cruel
scenes for home and peace-home and
! her. Half the sentence in which he told
her so was written, when his servants
voice sounded in his ear.
''Beg pardon, captain. There's a girl
4 outside. Can she see you;"
"a girl,r said the captain. ''Yes; send
her in. Some poor, starving creature, /
| suppose for orders for rations"