Year: 1860




would TRIP her luck there. Still she was un-
successful


AS she was leaving the store, she met the tall
man with black whiskers again He looked
upon her, and asked her 10 let him
see the bill; for he thought he could change it.
After looking at it, he returned it to her again,
observing, " if it had been city bill he would
have changed it, but he did not like to change
a country bill"


Having tried at two or three places without
affectin, e object, Debbyf und she must give
it up, for she was now told it probably would
not be possible for her to getft changed till the
bank should be opened the next day. COnse-
gently, she concluded to return Immediately
home. As she rode out of the hotel yard she
observed the tall man with black whiskers
standing ut the corner Of the house, apparent
ly watching her movements But she rode on,
and was no sooner out Of sight than he was out
of her mind, for her own perplexing disap-
pointment engrOssed all her thoughts She
passed over the first two miles Of her homeward
journey almost unconscious of the distance, so
busily WIS she turning over in her mind various
expedicnts to remedy the failure of her prese0t
undertaking. She thought of several of her
neighborS of whom she thought it might not be
impossible to borrow a few dollars for a short
time. But then she knew her father was so
strenuonsly opposed to borrowing, he 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 or consent. She
might get trusted for most of the articles she
wanted; but some of them of the most import
ance were at Henry Miller's 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 tail man with black whis-
kers, mounted on large and beautiful black
horse, within few rods of her; she shuddered
little, at first, at the idea of having his COM
pany through the woods, but as he came up
and accOSted her with such easy and gentle
manners, she soon recovered from her trepida-
tion. and rode on with her wanted composure


Rather lonely road here, Miss said the
stranger, looking in the dark woods that lay in
the valley before them. How far do you GO
Miss? -


Seven or eight miles, . said Debby, hesita-
ting a little.


Il am happy to have company on the road, ~
said the stranger, :" for it is rather lonesome
riding alone. | trust you will allow me to be
your protector 20


Debby thanked him, but said she was never
lonesome and never afraid still, in a lonely
place, 1T was always agreeable to have company


Did you make out to get your bill changed"
asked the stranger


Mo-" said Debby, :: 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
hrst 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 were about
them, and not sound was to be heard except
the murmuring of little brook over which
they had just passed. The stranger suddenly
rode to her side, and seizing the rein of her
bride, told her at once she must give him the
hundred dollar note.


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


1t Is no joke at all, y said the stranger; "we
will 60 no farther till you give me the hundred
dollar bill


Debby trembled and turned pale, for she
thought she saw something in the stranger :
eye that looked as though he WAS in earnest.


But surely you don't mean any such thing,''
said Debby, trying to pull the rein from his
hand. s. It's too bad to frighten me so here -


s'We mustn't daily about it, said the stran-
ger, holding the reins still tignter; " you see I
am in earnest by this" drawing a pistol from
his pocket, and pointing it towards her.


"Oh mercy said Debby, you may have
the money, if you will let me CO.


The money is all | want said the stran-
ger, " but there must be no more dallying: the
sooner you hand it over the better


Debby mt once drew the bill and attenptcd
to hand it to the stranger, but her hand tren-
bled so that it dropped from her fingers Just be.
tore 1t reached his, and at that moment a 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 40 far gone in her fright but that she
had her thoughts about her; and seizing the
rein OF the Stranger horse. she applied the
whip to both horses at once, and was off in a
canter. The man called in a loud, threatening
tone, and at once fired his pistol upon her; but
a she did not feel the cald lead she did not
stop or turn even to g i've him a farewell look
The remainder Of the journey was soon passed
over, and as she came out in the settlement
and passed the dwelling of her ncighbors. many
were the heads that looked from windows and
doors, and great was the wonderment at seong
Dcbby ride home so fast, and leading such a
fine strange horse. Her father who had seen
her come over the hill, met her some rods from
the house, eXclalmlng, with astonishment


WI hat have you here, Debby? Whose horse
is that ,"


"Debby. what has thee been doing" said
Mrs. Wilder, who was but a few steps behind
her husband, - thee doesn't Look we'll. what is
the NATTER


As soon as they were seated in the house.
Debuy told them the whole story. Mr.. Wilder
felt so rejoiced at his daughters cscape. that
be began to he in excellent spirits; and led the
strange horse to the door. and began to ex-
anime him.


We'll, Debby," said he, s'snce you We got
home safe at last, we may as well begin 70 talk
about business. The hundred dollar bill is
gone, but L m thinking, after all. you haven't
made very bad bargain. That's the likelipst
horse I've seen this many day | don't
think it would be difficult matter to sell him
tor two hundred dollars. At any rate, I'll
take the horse for the hundred dollars, and
You may have the saddle for the twenty dol
lars you were to have of it,


I" And the saddle bags, too, suppose" said
Debby, feeling disposed to join in the Joke
= Yes, and the saddle bags" said Mr.. Will
Ter; mo, stop, we'll see what's in them first
ne continued, untying them from the saddle
Oh there's lots of shirts, stockings, handker-
,hets, and capital ones, too. Yes, Debby. the
saddle bags are yours; those things come in
very good time for Joseph, you know"


Debby colored, but said nothing.
Now, William" said Mrs. Wilder. "thee is
full of thy fun"


" No fun about it, said William, replacing
the articles in the leather bag sIere, Debby,
take 'em and take care of 'em.''


Debby took the saddle bags to her chamber,
not little gratifed at the valuable articles of
nfosn