The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-02-19
A WILD WEST EPISODE.
How "Our Carrie" Saved Her
Husbands Life.

ries committed in DalkGn, a small Mis-
souri, town where l spent few years
of my life, and my husband cautioned
me not to leave the house alone or to
let any stranger in uring my absence.
1 in turn instructed the servant, a capa-
BILE girl who had lived with me several
months, and we were both careful to
lock up at night in secure manner
Carrie, the girl, carried the key of
side door and let herself in and out
when she wished. l did not even know
when she came or went, so thor
oughly did l trust her, and the back
part of the house was entirely cut off
from the front. She was always on
hand when needed, and she had entire
charge of the silver and free access to
all our valuables. But she never took
a pin from US or in any way betrayed
our trust in her.
Dalton was a wild west town made
up of all Itionalities and at times
overrun with desperadoes, but there
had been q long interval of peace,
when one lovely Sabbath afternoon my
husband took me out for drive. We
were jogging along quietly on pleas
ant country road, skirted by a dense
II,
through the woods the tramping of
men and horses. They made great
tumult before we could see them, and
as they burst into sight we saw that
they had a prisoner, a young man,
whom they dragged between them.
"Horse thief" said my husband; 81
shouldn't wonder if they hang him"
ooh! hope not, he is SO young"
exclaimed, and 1 thought the man
caught nv words, for he looked up sud-
denly and flashed on me a glance OF
quick intelligence.
sWhy, who is he? Where have l
seen him beforc2" l asked. My hus-
band inquired of a man in the party,
and he said the fellow was stranger.
"But he is slick one, and we caught
him red handed. He amt no common
rascal, and he has pals to help him. If
they'll let law and justice take their
course we will get the whole gang"
But they won't"
NV husband shook his head ominous-
lv as he said this. The men were
walking along with their prisoner in
that dead quiet of speech and manner
which is natural to the vigilantes on
their desperate errands.
''If it wasn't Sunday" he continued,
there might be chance for the fell
low, but they are just ripe for such
work, and fear the poor wretch will
never see daylight again"
Cannot you help him?" 1 asked,
eagerly. THAT mans face looked SO
familiar. Could we have seen him or
known him somewhere in our lives?" .
81 never saw him till now, l am
sure" he answered.; land yet he does
remind me of some one, but we may
have seen him on the streets. He is
rather better looking than the average
man of his profession.
Twill you try to save him? You
know they will listen to you"
My husband held prominent position
in state politics and L knew he was
very popular. But he said the city of
fcials would protect him, if any could,
and we rode home, talking over other
matters.
At supper we referred to it again.
Carrie was coming in with a plate of
hot biscuits and she dropped them on
the floor, breaking the dish into
pieces She muttered an excuse, say
ing that she was frightened at hearing
of such things happening in Christian
community, and withdrew from the
room
II hope she won't went to leave u.s."
1 remarked; ''she is such u good girl, 1
could never replace her. 1 always
thought she was well brought up, and
she has good education"
YES" said George rather indiffer-
emily, ''she seems to have more REIN
ment than the native girls, but dare
say we could find SOMEONE to replace
| her."
After supper, when the tea things
were washed, Carrie went out She
AID not usually ask leave, and 1 never
cared how much she was away after
her duties were performed.
watched her going out of the gate,
and wondered idly why tall, good
looking girl like her had no lovers or
followers. And then it occurred to me
that there was Just little mystery
| about the girl. had taken her with
| out any recommendation. l built up
little theory of my own, in which
made her a heroine in love story,
and had her run away from home to
avoid an unhappy marriage.
George in the meantime had heard
from a neighbor that there was trOu-
BILE at the Jail. A mob was clamoring
| for the prisoner, who had been tried
and convicted by Judge Lynch. George
! told me to faSten the doors and l
| would be safe enough, and catching
his hat he went off to see If he could
help maintain law and order.
Left alone, the house seemed dull
and eerie. 1 sang all the old hymns
over and over and tried to make myself
| feel that l was not afraid, but as the
twilight faded into the darkness and
then into late night, 1 acknowledged
to myself that / was very much afraid
l thought of all the mysterious rob-
berries that had happened so recently.
They had always been perpetrated in
evening, or the early hours of the
night. No glimpse Of the robbers had
ever been obtained. Silent as death
they had come and gone.
slight noise at my elbow startled
me greatly. l turned and saw Carrie.
"How you frightened me! Why,
was listening with all my ears and
never heard sound. How did you
come imp"
by the side door," she answered, in
her usual low voice. / noticed that she
had her hat and shawl still on.
Did you go over to the town? Are
they having any trouble at the jail2"
inquired.
az don't know. an in great
trouble. II have had telegram and
must go home at once. VIII you give
me the money that is due me, and let
me go in time to get the eastern train,
| If 1 camp"
"But, Carrie, there is no money in
the house. 1 cannot pay yon"
There is. You will find it in the
tin box where Mr.. Raymond keeps his
papers, and there is great deal more
than l necd."
'Oh, then you have seen hiTgP'
said in much surprise. ''Of course IL
the money is there will pay you, but
this is very sadden;" and asked her
70 light one OF the lamps In the room.