Year: 1860

j.
wishes, but with no better success AS she turn
ed to 90 out, she encountered man behind her,
who seemed TO have been looking over heT
shoulder.


She looked up at him and recognised the fall
man with black whiskers, whom she had motto
ed at the hotel Leaving the druggists, she OBJ
served large dry goods store, and thought she
would try her luck there. Still she was unsuc-
cessful.


As she was leaving the store, she met the
tall man with black whiskors again. He look
ed smllingly at her, and asked her TO let him
see the bill; for he though. be could change it.
After looking at it, he returned it to her again,
observing, ii it had been city Bill be would
have changed il, but he did not like to change a
country bill


Having tried at two or three places without
affecting her object, Debby found shd must give
it up, for she was nov told it probably wonld
not be possible for her 10 get it changed till the
bank should be opeLed the next day Conse-
quently, she concluded to return Immediately
home. AS she rode out of the hotel yard, she
observed the tall man with black whiSkers
standing at the corner of the house, apparently
watching her movements. But she rode on,
and was no sooner out of sight than be was out
Of her mind, for her own perplexing disappoint





over the first two miles of her hOmeward jour-
ney almost unconscious Of the distance, 80 BUSH
y was she turning ever in her mind various
expedients to remedy the failure of her present
undertaking. Sac thought Of several Of her
neighbors Of whom she thought it might not be
impossible to borrow few dollars for short
time. But then she knew her father was 50
strenuously opposed to borrowing, ne would
not allow it to be done; and would never for-
give her should he find out that she had done
it without his knowledge OF consent. She might
get trusted for most of the articles she wanted;
but some of them of the most importance were
at Henry Miller store, and she would not ask
to be trusted there, if she never obtained the
articles.


Her reveries were at length broken off by
the sound of horse coming at rather quick
trot behind her. She looked over her shoulder,
and there was the tall msn with black Whiskefs,
mounted on q large and beautiful black horse;
within few rods Of her; she shuddered little,
at first, at the idea Of having his company
through the woods, but as he came up and ac-
costed her with such easy and gentle manners;
she soon recovered from her trepidation, and
rode on with her Wonted composure.
Rather lonely read here, Miss said the
stranger, looking in the dark woods that lay in
the valley before them. How far do you go,
Missl' H


SevenOr eight miles, said Debby, hesitating
little.


q am happy to hvve company on the road,
said the stranger, 'for it is rather lonesome
riding alone. trust you will allow me to be
your protector


Debby thanked him, but said she was never
lonesome and never afraid; still, in lonely
place, it was always agreeable to have company


Did you make out TO get your bill changed?'
asked the stranger.


No said Debby, 4 tried till was tired,
but could find no one to change it,


The stranger made himself very agreeable,
and Debby began to think that her feelings at
first had done him injustice, and she tried what
she could to make him amends by being social
in her turn. They had now reached the deep
est, darkest part Of the valley through which
the road lay. The heavy woods we're about
them, and not a sound was to be heard except
the murmurings of a little brook over which
they had just passed. The stranger suddenly
rode to her side, and seiziRg the reins of her
bride, told her at once she must give him the
hundred dollar note.


Now, this is carrying the joke too far, said
Debby, trying to laugh.


at is no joke at all said the stranger, we
will go no farther till you give me the hundred
dollar BILL


Debby trembled and turned pale, for she
thought she saw something in the strangers
eye that looked as though be was in earnest
But surely you don't mean any such thing?'
said Debby, trying to pull the rein from his
hand. TITS too bad to frighten me so here


we mustn't daily about it, said the stranger,
holding the rein still tighter; you see am in
earnest, by this, drawing pistol from his pock.
| ct, and pointing towards her.


oh! mercy said Debbyt, you may have the
money if you will let me 60
| The money is all l want said the stranger,
but there must be no more dallying; the sooner
you hand it over the better
! Debby at once drew the bill and attempted to
hand it to the stranger, but her hand trem
bled so that it dropped from her fingers just be-
fore it reached his, and at that moment gust
of wind waited it gently toward the brook
The stranger leaped from his horse and ran
back two or three rods to recover it, Debby
was not so far gone in her fright but that she
had her thoughts about her; and seiziEg the
rein of the strangers horse, she applied the
whip to both horses at once, and was off in
canter. The man called In loud, threatening
tone, and at once fred his pistol upon her; but
as she did not feel the cold lead she did not
stop or turn even to give him a farewell look
The remainder of the journey was soon passed
over, and as she came out in the settlement aud
passed the dwellings of her neighbors, many
were the heads that looked from windows and
doors, and great was the Wonderment at seeing
Dehby ride home so fast, and leading such 8
fine strange horse, Her father, who had seen
her come over the hill, met her some rods from
the house, exclaiming, with astonishment


What have you here, Debbyg Whose horse,
is thst?'


'Debby, what has thee been doingg' said Mrs
Wilder, who was but few steps behind her
husband, thee doesn't look well, what is the
matterg'


As soon as they were seated In the house,
DebbY told them the whole story. Mr.. Wilder
felt SO rejoiced at his daughters escape, that he
| began to be in excellent spirits; and led the
strange horse to the door, and began to exam
| inc him.


well, Debby,' said he, since you've got
home safe at last, We may as well begin to talk
about business. The hundred dollar bill is
gone, but I'm thinking, after all, you haven't
made very had bargain. That's the hkeliest
horse I've seen this many day. don't think
it would be a difficult matter to sell him for two
hundred dollars At any rate, III take the
horse for the hundred dollars, and you may
have the saddle for the twenty dollars you were
to have oft


'And the saddle bags, too, I suppose said
Debby, feeling disposed to Join in the joke,


'Yes, and the saddle bags, said Mr.. Wilder
no, stop, wen see what's in them first he con-
tinued, untying them from the saddle oh,
there's lots of shirts, stockings, handkerchiefs,
and capital ones, too. Yes, pebby, the sad
die bags are yours those things come in very
good time for Joseph, you know


Dshhy colored, but said nothing.


Now, William, said Mrs, Wilder, thee Is full
Of thy fun


the articles in the leather bag. Here, Debby,
take EN- and take care of EN-
Debby took the saddle bags to her chamber,
not little rratifed at the valuable articles Of