The morning call., 1892-07-06
HOW DORASAVED THE TOWN.

MaplevilIe was a quiet, pleasant little
village looking out over Lake Champlain.
and guarded in the rear by the Adirondack
Mountains. It's maple shaded walks were
clean and smooth; houses and lawns looked
snug and comfortable; everything bore evil
denee of modest prosperity.
Like many other villages Mapleville was
supplied with water by large spring held
in an immense reservoir. Near this reSer-
yoir stood a small gray house; in 1t lived
Andrew Collins, his invalid wife and his
daughter Dora, a slender girl OF 10. An
drew had the care of the waterworkS, but
he received such a meager salary for his
services that he with difficulty provided Tor
his small family, and Dora, though Dut 10.
was perpetually devising ways and means
hy which to keep tie wolf from the door.
The great am mbitiOn of her lie was that she
might be educated for a teacher, and assist
IN the support of herself and MOTHER Dut
her father could not afford the necessary
money. and her dream seemed destined to
be unfulhlled.
1t was warm night in July. Dora and
her mother sat in the porch awaiting the
return Of Mr.. Collins. who had gone TO the
village. Ten o'clock had struck, ana sun
he did not come. At 9 he usually made MS
nightly rounds. Dora was IN lever OF
anxiety What if anything should 60 wrong
at the reservoir? She would 90 and see.
Many times she had accompanied Der
father, and she knew as well as be when all
was as ii should be.
Tonight, as she neared the lower gate,
faint noise reached her ear. She listened; {;
IL was the unmistakable clink, clink, OF an
IRON drill From the sound she knew II
was working on the fastenlngs OF the great
gate set in the lower side OF the reservoir,
used lily when II was necessary TO lessen
e of Ri0S4tN
watched, that any leak might be at once re-
ported and promptly attended to.
As Dora crept along through the dark
ness. her lantern wrapped III the shawl
which she had taken from her shoulders,
she could see by the light they carried the
faces Of the t%o men, and recognized Ihem
as those of two notorious rufflans. 1hey
were evidently in a half-intoXlcatet condt-
ton, The gate was made of oaken planks.
iron-braced, and resisted their blows bravery.
"Bring the dynamit-," said Bill Lonkers.
"W the he. use nev % q wasting time anu
"It'li raise The town." said Walt Whitman,
his partner In crime.
FIRE long anyhow. Is the fuse all rlght?
As Dora acknowledgements iurpose she
altered an involuntary cry. A gust OF wlnd
blew the shawl from the lantern. and In an
Instant sne was in the grasp of the rutfians.
You spy!' they hiSsed. You will pay
dear for this. Where's your father?"
He hasn't come home yet" the girl
No, we attended to that" said Whit
IN with an oath that made her sick with
te rOr what say. Bill? Let's tie her 10
lhe gate handle; then she will be up on
time when tie ball opens"
Yes" laughed the other. "she always
had high notions, like her mother before
heT. That will be sure way OF getting her
up in the world"
Dora was speeches. with fright as they
tied a rope securely about her waist and
drew her toward the great door
IN tie her, then you light the fuse,"
said Walt
mot muchl You viii light 1t yourself.
That was the agreement, as you had the
larger share of old Browns yellow boys"
eAll right-where's the bottle? Let's
take another pull-hlest If don't wish we
hadn't undertaken this!'
But the bottle had been broken by a fall
tng drill and the ''nervine" which was to
i0f'ify them for their deed was gone.
Well said Whitman, collins is safe,
sud there is only one pUny woman at home.
Let's make a raid on lis cellar. Anyhow,
"a ike to bid farewell to my old sweetheart
before we start on our travels"
Agreed said Bill.
Leading Dora by the rope tied around her
waist, they proceeded down the narrow
path to the cottage. Mrs. Collins, terrified
~ E4NHk VI AIcElls tDukl OILY look at 0er
daughter in speeehless horror.
"Ah, my pretty Ruth" said Whitman,
it's some time since l have called on You.
l AN about to leave the country, and
thought I'd bid you farewell"
He went close to where she lay on the
sofa, and laughed mockingly.
''0h, come nOw," said Bill, we've no time
Tor ioolery. I'm as dry as popcorn. Where's
the nervIne we came after?''
"Sorry he's given NE away, Ruth" said
Whitman, with sardonic grin, ''bnt it's
whisky we are after, sure enough. Where
does Collins keep his eye-opener?"
There's not drop of liquor in the
house.. faltered Mrs. Collins. My hus-
band"
why. motherp exclaimed Dora, with a
warning glance. Have you forgotten the
little keg in the cellar2"
Mrs. Collins looked at her daughter in
surprise Before she had time to speak
Whitman broke in.
ITS no 60, Ruth-you can't fool us,
We'll sample the keg in about half min
ute thlnk know the way to its hiding
place"
Locking the door. that the women should
not escape, the men lifted a trapdoor and
descended the stairs leading below Hardly
were they out Of sight when Dora sprang
,S 20 me he;ayy door, threw it down and shot
the bolt Into place. Then she drew heavy
chest over 1t, and uncoiling the rope from
her waist started tor help.
Il knew we were safe If could get them
down cellar" she said. Courage. motheri
/ wont be gone long" And needless of the
Imprisoned mems oaths and threats. she
sped away from the cottage.
A soft neigh sounded near her; two
horses were hltched In the bushes near the
roadside, saddle-horse and pony, which
the ruffans had doubtless stolen. intending
to ride them to Clifton, where they would
eaten the morning express. Dora had
many times ridden this pony, which be-
ments work to unite him and mount. Then
she was off like the wind.
In very short time she was arousipg the
household at Major Bombasrs mansion.
and number of stalwart farm laborers
armed themselves and went to capture the
villains. They had sharp but short battle.
the major, true to his military record, stand.
Ing back and urging others on. Finding re-
sistance useless they surrendered.
Where is Andrew Collns?" INQUIRED
the major.
They did not wish to tell. but seeing the
inclination of Judge Lynch to take their
case IN hand confessed that they had en-
ticed bim to a deserted barn and bound him
that they might have no hindrance to their
scheme OF wholesale plunder and de-
structiou.
Dora was the heroine of MapleyiIle after
that. and all We'd with each other in doing
ner honor. She accompanied Laura Bonn
oast through complete course In the nor
NAL school, for Major Bombast showed.
notwithstanding bis cowardice, that he
could be both just ana generous. And so
two villains were really the means Of bring
Ing comfort and happiness to the Collins
cottage.