The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-24
THE GOLDEN CROSS.

About the beginning of the late war, a
nasn bent on weighty business, and bear
ing important dispatches and a large sum
of money about his person, found himself
beIated ut night in one of the widest and
most thiuly-populated quarters of a
southern state.
He was in the heart OF dense wood,
and not far from = 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 bride and tried in vain to
discover Ivy tho sense OF touch tho road
he should follow
II must find some shelter for tho
night" he said. Tho people hereabout
have not - very good reputation; but /
am not afraid Of men. and l 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 he in good condition. and fol-
lowed it 10y another and another After
this third he paused and listened. A
faint ''hallo" seemed to echo his and in a
moment more there appeared among the
trees the figure OF an cid man who held a
lantern in one hand and shaded his eyes
with the other.
Who is that" cried tho personage;
"ono OF the boys,"
"A stranger" said the traveller. "I'm
lost in this confounded place. Can you
tell me whers can get sheIter,''
Who are you and whore do you come
from''
81 came from farther north: travelling
on business; my name Is Hogan ! can
pay for anything ! ask, and shall be
k-n fFNl TO,
"Au right. Come along. Ny house
ain't far OF" And turning ho 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 to tho door
of a hut. Within fire. burnt upon a
rude hearth. Over it 4 girl croached, idly
looking into the embers.
That's my darter," " said the old man.
Were all alone here, and it's n poor
place, and you're welcome. Walk in; I'll
see your horse is care! for.''
The girl looked sp sharply, and looked
down again with q flush on her face The
old man drew i broken chair toward the
blaze and lit a pine torch.
"A fire Is comfortable these damp
nights if il il warm" he said MAKE
some coffee and An ssh-cake for US Nan
ME. The geutleman's hungry, no
doubt
81 confess am, p said Hogan, takingthe
proffered chair. "And do not know what
should have done tonight without your
hospitality"
Meanwhile, Che girl, n handsome crea-
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 il was done she sat apart and
watched the men as 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 u 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 al the same time:
You seem TO be a very hospitable old
gentleman, bus you have the fsce OF u
rascal
Throwing OF his coat he stretched him
self upon the bed, and in five minutes
found himself fast sinking into slumber.
The pine torch iickered on tho wall, tho
eNbers died cut in the CRATE, when sud
denly a hand rested on his arm and n
voice whispered in his ear:
Stranger, I've got something to toll
you"
Hogan started MP. The girl kuelt be-
side him with her finger on her lip.
Get Hp,n she said, land put on your
coat. The sooner you are eff tho better
The old man lied when he said / was his
daughter; no has gone for the boys. He
said to me just now, I've found ont his
business. He must have plenty Of money
with him. and | know whot he means
There will be four OF them here In half an
hour, and you are dead man il you don't
60 now"
Hogan started TO his feet. Stitched in
his belt were several thousand dollars,
and he remembered that he had chsttered
away almost indiscreetly, fancying the
old man would know no moro than no
chose to tell.
Pm a fool" he muttered, starting to
his feet. This is no silly Jest, girI,'
Gods truth, said the girl. I've seen
sights that would mako you move faster
than you're doing now if you had seen
them There-get your horse and come.
I'll show you which way to take. They'll
kill me il they suspect me; but 1 reckon
I'll ward them of. Come"
AS in a dream Hogan followed her.
She led him by the hand through thick
woods until they came to a wide opening.
Make all the speed you can. I've done
all can to save your life, Jack Hogan"
"God bles. you,' said he. 'Nou know
my name, zee. IL the time should ever
come when l can do as much for you
will"
Perhaps" she said doubtfully.
"You have saved my life, childr' he
said as he mounted his horse. 1T is a
debt n man don't forget in \ hurry. Lis
ten; swear that IL / can ever do any
thing for you I will swear on this"
He drew 4 little golden cross from his
breast and kissed it. Keep ii 10 remind
me Of the oath II l should forget il" 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
n letter home. There was some one at
horne who waited for these letters anX-
iously and who wore them fondly in her
bosom. Thoughts of her softened tho
soldiers heart. Glad, indeed, would he
have been 20 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 girl
outside. Can she see you;'
"A girlr' said the captain. 'Yes; send
her in. Some poor, starving creature, L
suppose, for orders for rations."
And then he started to his feet and