Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-26

"Thank you. returned Zadie faint
". with Just trace Of disappointment
In her tone.
So they all followed Polly into the
kitchen. where the remainder Of the
rescuing party were already gathered.
resting from the fatigues Of the battle
and administering TO the needs Of Caleb
Shurker For. as Polly had said. this
unfortunate man had been very rough
ly treated by the bandits and was much
nearer dead than alive
While passing down the stairs from
the attic into the lower part OF the
house they stumbled over the bodies OF
several Tories who had been thrown
into such panic by the sudden onrush
Of the rescuers that they had scarcely
raised hand In defense Of their hvea
Evidences were nowhere wanting that
the snrprise had been complete On
reaching the kitchen Polly bade the
others be seated. while Zadie. like du-
tiful wife. went over 10 soothe and con-
sol her moaning husband. Farmer
Price. who was familiar with the do
nestle arrangements Of the household.
brought a great jug Of cider from the
cellar and also store Of more substan.
tial refreshmenta These be placed on
the table. saying
"FaIl to. my lads. and eat and drink
your hll Yell hnd that cider most ex-
cellent and the corn bread and bacon
very strengthening.
The frontiersmen did not whit for q
second invitation. but fell to with a
viii. and while they were disposing OF
the satables Polly told the story Of her
ride.
Thank You. kind friends she be-
gan. ''for the service you have rendered
me this night Perhaps you are not
aware OF the great obligations you have
placed me under Well. listen. and ]
will tell youl
This man." pointing proudly at
Edward Robin. twas . captive with
me in the mountaina Ihad helped him
10 escape from the jail in which he was
wrongfully confined. and We had aed
together TO get married and begin life
over again In another part Of the world
But unfortunately We were induced TO
accept the protection Of Claudius
Smith He promised TO zee that We
were married and offered us retreat
with his outlaws until the ceremony
was performed But We soon found
that we were bis prisoner he kept
guard placed over n and deprived US
OF our liberty. and 50 IL happened that
We were in q position 10 become &C
quainted with his designa
This morning" she continued. 'he
returned after Q long absence 70 bis
camp and. after resting until late in
the day. called . council Of his of.cers
to lay the plans for this nights raid
Realizing that be was up 10 some mis-
chief. crept up 70 their place Of meet
ing. listened TO what they said. and 30
became acquainted with their purposes
and then determined TO outwit them
As Edward Robin was forced TO accom-
pany the Tories on their raid was
compelled 70 undertake the task alone
But fortunately had an accomplics to
help me
At this point In her narrative Polly
blushed and cast q confused glance to-
ward her lover He treasured her with
. smile. and she resumed a. follows
ut will be unnecessary to narrate
how | succeeded In procuring horse
and making my escape from the Tory
camp Ny ride 10 your homes to enlist
your help Is known to you all. but there
are some among us. she added. look.
ing in turn toward Robin. Zadie and
Caleb Shurker. "who are ignorant Of the
gallant manner In which you responded
to my appeals for help and OF the brav-
cry you dipslayed in effecting their res
cue As am sure they will be interest.
ed In the story I win tell II for their
benefit.
She then gave q vivid account Of the
desperate ride Of the rescuing party to
reach the Shurker farmhouse in time.
when we were nearing the end Of
our journey. she continued. I'VE saw
q man riding slowly along the highway
ahead Of us At drst he was disposed TO
put spurs TO his horse and escape rs
but he soon realized the impossibility
Of doing thia So he drew rein and
tremblinsly awaited our approach
When we drew up 10 him. asked him
10 join our band
What forf he asked.
:" To rescue Caleb Shurker from the
Tories, replied
"'What he exclaimed In surprise.
and is Claudins Smith really after the
old mans treasured Why. I'm Caleb
Shurker's father -in-law. and IL what
you say is true ! will 20 along with
your party most willingly Indeed !
was on my way to Shurker's when you
fell in with me
80 Mr. Price Joined our party.
went on Polly. land we continued on
our way. As we drew near the farm
house we heard loud commotion. II
seemed as II a thousand devils were
screaming all at once. Then we knew
that the Tories were plundering the
dwelling and that we had no time to
spare II we wished to prevent murder
So we put our horses to their utmost
speed and dashed on TO the end Of our
Journey We arrived In the nick Of
time for az we dashed in among the
bandits we saw Mr.. shurker's body
dangling from the limb Of an apple
tree We immediately cut the poor
man down and removed the cord from
his neck. Fortunately. at the time we
made our attack Claudius Smith and
half his band Of outlaws were In the
house endeavoring to reach the attic.
where Edward Robin was defending
Zadie. This made It an easy matter 70
overpower them. We put the rogues
who wese torturing Mr.. Shurker to
flight and afserward surprised the BAN
dts in the farmhouse. l believe We.
killed quite number. but unfortunate
| " Claudius Smith and his SON. Rich
ard, made their escape However. my
friends" she concluded. making a
graceful courtesy to the rough frontiers
men. ''you have helped me accomplish
my purpose and thank you once more
for your gallantry.
With these words she smiled sweetly
upon the company and, gliding quickly
across the apartment sst down BY the
dde of her lover.
For moment the profoundest silence
reigned In that crowded room Then
R..- p~i~> -hn had han daanly I'm.