The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-07-13

my sex acquires from experience
had no thought of the man offering me
violence, and did not hesitate to call
to him when he drew up where stood.
"What you want?" he demanded,
refining In his horses and glancing
around
81 want to ride in your wagon to a
shelter for the night" replied, "if you
will be so kind as to let me-"
He looked very hard at me for quite a
little while, and some way did not
altogether like his manner. l felt that
there was something of familiarity init.
$50 you want to ride with me, eh?"
he questioned, and at the same time
gave vent to low chuckle. I'D like
mighty well to accommodate you, but
I've got wife at home and guess she
wouldn't much fancy the idea of me
hauling other women around with me.
She's awful jealous, she is"
Having said so much he broke into q
loud laugh which grated harshly on my
nerves and which had the effect OF
frightening me most thoroughly. / felt
almost sorry for having called to the
man, and if my situation had not been
so desperate should certainly have fled
from him even then.
That's one O. my little jokes" he
said, letting his laugh cease. 81 amt
got no wife, nor nobody else to inter
fero with my privileges, so do as /
please and don't keer what nobody says.
If you want to ride with me you can,
and welcome, so hop up"
"Will you take me to some place
where can find shelter and food2" l
asked, hesitatingly.
"Sartin WILL" he answered, with
queer grin. "Tll take you to my house
whar thar's plenty to eat, and drink,
too, and whar thar's plenty o. shelter
an nobody to occupy it but me an you.
That's good enough, reckon, SO climb
in an les be travlin."
He extended his hand for the purpose
of helping me in the wagon, but !
shrank away from him and bade him
leave me alone. He looked at me for
moment with evident surprise, then ex-
claimed:
"Ho, ain't my offer good enough? /
offered you all you asked for, and I'd
like to know what more you want?"
~ want you to go away and leave
me-" cried.
"What? Amt you goin' 70 ride with
me?" he asked.
mo, am not"
In an instant he had sprung 10 the
ground, and before / could divine his
intentions he had his arms clasped
about me. | struggled and screamed,
but in spite of all l could do he held me
fast.
$50 you won't ride with me, eh?", he
said, hoarsely. "And after aslSin' me
IL you could, too. Wen see about
that, guess. You've got to do it now,
II have to put you in the wagon by
force and hold you there when You are
in"
caught Whit Of the mans breath
and knew that he was intoxicated !
comprehended then the danger that en-
vironed me, and my soul sank with
sickening fear. was entirely in the
power Of the wretch, and understood
very we'll that he would not hesitate 10
deal with me as his fiendish nature
might suggest. u continued TO struggle
/ for my freedom, hut II was useless !
sent up scream after scream, but had
no hope Of anyone hearing me.
The man dragged me to the wagon
and attempted TO lift me in, but I
grasped the spoxes OF the wheel and
held on with superhuman strength, re-
fusing 10 be torn away. For long
time the terrible struggle continued
and felt my strength falling me, and
realized that In little while must
give up the contest.
Then heard horse galloping across
the prairie. A ray of hope sprang up
In my heart and took frmer hold on
the wagon and waited. The horse
stopped near us and heard some one
dismount. Then heard voice say;
"Whnt does this mean?"
"Save me, save me-" cried "Save
me from this wretch"
was aware that the newcomer
struck my prosecutor blow which sent
him sprawling TO the earth, but was
conscious of nothing else for some time,
for had swooned.
When recovered my faculties was
lying on the grass and n kindly looking
young man was lsneeling by me en-
gagged in chatting my hands. ! looked up
into the Young mans face and examined
his features minutcly, and had no fear
of him. read true nobility in every
lineamcnt, and | knew | could trust
him implicitly. lie was the first TO
speak, and his voice was so soft and
gentle that IL sent thrill OF pleasure
through me TO hear II.
Are you better now2" he asked.
"Ycs, much BETTER" / replied "Is
he gomez"
THAT man? Yes, you need have no
fear Of him now"
"IIow can thank you for what you
have done for me?" said, after short
pause.
~ do not want any thanks" he ~
piled, but will be only too happy to
render you any other service can"
made no reply aside from murmur-
ing my thanks, and for minute or so
we remained silent, he in the mean
time keeping his eyes fixed inquiringly
on me. suppose he was at loss TO
account for my being there in the plight
he found me, yet was too delicate TO
question me. At last, seeing that was
not inclined TO speak, he said: