The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-10-30

mouth"
.aYou dare to lay your cowardly hand
on my Leah" cried the enraged mother,
doubling up her great, bony fist, "and
I'll strangle you like cur"
"Why, you squint-eyed old beauty"
retorted the Tory, mockingly, 81 took
you for hangel, but find you are
wickeder than she wolf with whelps"
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 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-
Citation, 1--WE have piece of roast
pork and 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 a
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
carbnes 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 establishment.
"Stand backl" she cried, in threat
ening tone, presenting one of the loaded
carbines with an air of resolute determi-
nation. "Thc 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 out"
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 ruffian 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.
Athird, 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 finger.
"Leah, blow the dinner horn!' cried
the mother, in tone Of resolute triumph
at is safe now to call in Silas and youI
father"
The young girl, half-terrifed out o.
her wits, promptly obeyed the materna
command, and long, winding bias
echoed and re-echoed through the inter
vening woods.
She had left the house and joined hel
mother on the outside before she essayet
to blow it, and as she lowered the horr
from her lips. now rendered colorless
from her recent fright, her anxious eyes
were bent in the direction of the distant
corn field, where her father and brother
and faithful negro servant were a
work, although narrow belt of timber
stretched between them.
She uttered quick exclamation o
joyous pleasure, for at that moment sht
saw all three strike out of the wood anc
start on a rapid run toward the house.
Hearing the first shot that had been
fired and then alarmed by the other two
which had followed in such rapid sue
cession, they caught up their loaded car
bines and started on run from the fielC
where they were then at work.
The moment they had quilted the tim
Der they saw at glance, by the severa
horses hitched to the fence and the bel
ligerent attitude of the heroic giantess a
the window, pretty nearly how matter
stood at the house, and they all tire
sent up an encouraging shout to tn
: women.
Just at this point they heard the ring
ing sound of horses hoofs in an op
posite direction, and, turning suddenly
Leah beheld her lover dashing furiousl
toward the house. This additional lein
forcement, coming so OPPORTUNITY, yet S
Unexpectedly, filled the heart of the tint
maiden with increased confidence.
ooh, mother" she burst out, excited
ly; "Randolph is coming-see! He
just leaving the wood. Isn't it lucky 70
him to come Just at this time, when W
had no reason to expect him9"
81 expected him." said Mrs. Hart
with quiet assurance. 81 knew it wa
: he the Tories were in pursuit of, and
was determined to outwit them, if it la.
in the power of woman to do it. Every
thing has turned out for the best; 70
had Lieutenant Darrell ridden straigh
here, instead of lingering in the wood
as he did, he would doubtless have bee
captured, and perhaps murdered befor
+, our eyes. So you see, my girl, the way
5 of Providence are better than our way.
l for they always turn out for the best
G the end"
In another moment Randolph Dare
had alighted at their side, and in tn
next, the blushiug and happy Leah wa
e embodied in his manly embrace.
. While the lovers were thus pre-cccu
l pied, Abijah, Silas and the negro Al
rived, fearfully excited and wholly OF
a of breath.
Silas recovered first, and was abot
to shoot down one of the Tories, whe
his mother resolutely interfered.