The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-12-03

isn't she big one in size, thought"
"Aud uglier.looking than sin, thun.
derin' sightl" added one Of the men.
The Tory horsemen now wheeled about
and retraced their way to the farmhouse,
which was only short distance, just as
Randolph Darrell was on the point Of
emerging from the wood; but luckily he
discovered them in season to escape their
notice, by abruptly retreating back again
under cover.
Alighting once more at the door of the
farm house, the Tory leader ordered Mrs.
Hart to prepare dinner for the party, and
bestir herself.
''How can / give you dinner when
I've nothing to cookin retorted the reso-
lutte looking woman, angrily. "I should
need full larder to satisfy half-dozen
such dirty rascals as you are"
"Silence, womanl" thundered the
Tory, in commanding voice, "and do
our bidding" "I'll soon give you some
thing to cook" he added, leveling his
carbine as he spoke, and bringing down
a plump turkey gobbler that was strut
ting along under cover of the garden
wall. "There, now, go and pluck that
fine fellow, my beauty, and don't belong
about it, or we might be tempted to serve
you in the same way"
Leah, who had shrunk timidly into a
corner, started up in alarm when she
heard this threat, and made her way out
to the spot where the bird had fallen.
Randolph Darrell, alarmed at the shot,
was just on the point of dashing out of
his cover to go to the rescue of the
females, when he saw his affianced rush
out, and bear the turkey hastily to the
house.
In a moment he OWNED the cause of
the firing; and not apprehending any
immediate danger to his sweetheart, so
long as the Tories were only anxious to
appease their appetites, he went back to
his cover.
The quick eye of the Tory leader took
in the graceful outlines of the fair girls
| figure, as she rushed from the house.
"By the beard of King George!" he
exclaimed, admiringly, "who 'ould ave
hexpected to see such n hangel in petit
coats ERE. Gene, my lass, and give
us Que kiss from the rosebud of a
mouth"
"You dare to lay your cowardly hand
on my Leah, cried the enraged mother,
doubling up her great, bony fist, t'and
I'll strangle you like curl"
"Why, you squint-eyed old beauty"
retorted the Tory, mockingly, 81 took
you for hangel, but find you are
wickeder than she wolf with whelpsl" I"
The rest Of the gang laughed bolster
ously at this weak attempt at wit. Then
turning to Leah with gallant smile,
the Tory inquired how long it would
take to pluck and cook the fowl.
Leah answered in q modest tone of
womanly anxiety, that it would require
at least three hours to serve it TO their
liking.
"But,' she added, in tone of con-
ciliation, 'we have piece of roast
pork aud some cold potatoes and corn
cake in the pantry, if they will answer"
The hungry party, who had been some
hours fasting, declared that the articles
named were good enough, and that they
would forego the turkey ON this occa-
sion for her sake.
With great alacrity, but with an anx-
iously beating heart, Leah spread the
homely board, and brought forth the
promised viands, which she laid out
temptingly before them. She then placed
what chairs and stools the house afforded
around the table, and politely invited her
unwelcome visitors to be seated.
Complying with her invitation, the
Tories carelessly stacked their cabines
near an open window, and, seating
themselves at the table, fell to, greedily
devouring the repast.
Mrs. Hart, in the meantime, with
heroism superior to her sex, had watched
her hungry guests till she saw she was
not observed by them, when she slipped
out slyly from their midst, and, noise
lessly approaching the open window, she
succeeded in drawing out three of the
carbines before her little game was dis
covered.
The moment the Tories perceived the
deadly purpose of the giantess, the three
nearest the window sprang to their feet
in terrified astonishment.
''Stand back! - she cried, in a threat
ening tone, presenting one of the loaded
carbines with an air of resolute determi-
nation. "The first villain of you that
stirs step, I'll shoot; and the first one
that touches another mite of that pork
I'll blow his brains outl"
Without needing her blazing eye, or
her stern verbal warning, the Tory leader
sprang fearlessly toward the stack of
arms; but before he could reach them
there was report of a carbine, and the
advancing ruffisn fell to the floor, while
the slug, which had passed entirely
through his body, struck another in the
temple, who was seated at the table, kill
ing him instantly.
A third, rendered desperate by the try
ing situation, made reckless attempt to
get possession of one of the carbines, and
instantly paid the penalty with his life.
Throwing the second empty carbine
aside, Mrs. Hart caught up the third
one, with which she now covered what
remained of the terrified party.
There were but four left, and not one
of the four dared to move a finger.
''Leah, blow the dinner-horn !" cried
the mother, in tone Of resolute triumph.
''It is safe now to call in Silas and your
father"
The young girl, half-terri6ed out of
her wits, promptly obeyed the maternal