Year: 1878

on the road, and don It know the ways
of you pretty little maidsp The money
that was paid for the cows is somewhere
about, and am pretty certain it's in q
particular pocket of your corset. / shall
cut your laces, If you try my patience too
long" and he began to insert the knife
into the lace of her bodice.


Susan, trembling lest she should lose
her senses, now made up her mind to
part with her money, and assured him
that If he would retire out of sight for a
few minutes, she would get her pocket,
and give it into his hands.


The robber declared that he could not
do that, but that he had no objection to
you, my DEAR" he said but he pulled
out his pistol at the same time, and stood
waiting


The poor girl proceeded TO take off her
dress, and after some difficulty removed
her stays, and donning her cloak hastily
threw them down before the highway
man.


He seized upon them, and discovering
the pocket, soon rifled it of its contents,
and then picked up her dress, and began
to feel about the Innings, to find if posi-
bic more bank-notes which might be
sewn up in them. AS Susan stood shak-
ing and irresolute sudden thought
seized her. Catching up Jerry's saddle,
which lay on the ground at her side, she
threw it over the hedge, exclaiming,
"You shan't have it all at any rate"


The thief, off his guard for the mo-
ment, and thinking that the saddle
might contain the greater part of the
spoil, threw down the dress with an
oath; and cursing frightfully, Chamber
ed into and over the hedge to recover the
saddle. One of his pistols fell from his
coat to the ground; Susan threw it over
the opposite hedge, and releasing the
bride of the robbers horse, climbed
nimbly by the aid of the stirrup on to
his back, passed her right knee over the
large pistol holster, and giving the ami
NAL the reins, galloped up the lane at q
tremendous pace.


A loud curse, and the crack of pistol,
which only caused the horse to increase
its speed, followed but the bullet miss
ed its aim. Susan heard it whiz past in
dangerous proximity to her ear, and
then lodged harmlessly in the trunk of
an old oak by the wayside.


Away flew Wildfire like the wind,
with Susan on his back, and her cour-
age rose every moment, as she remem-
bered that old Jerry had wandered graz
ing up the lane, and that it would be
impossible for the thief to overtake her
on the well bred animal she rode, even
if he attempted pursuit. For an instant
a Gathering of hoofs made her look has
tily back but the noise was only lum-
bering attempt on the part of old Jerry
to follow, and keep up with her. Su-
sans hurried ride off and the shot of the
| pistol had disturbed his calm Cravings,
and he turned with clumsy start be-
fore the robber could lay hold on him,
and unencumbered by Susan, baskets, or
saddle, trotted off at q novel and excited
pace after her. Certain now of safety,
she urged the beautiful animal she sat
on to its utmost speed, and dashed des-
perately homewards.


why, here's go, motherl" cried
Ben, rushing into the farm kitchen full
tilt. Here's Susy tearing down the
lane like mad L never thought Jerry
could go SO fast. was on the hayrick,
and saw her coming. She's something
white on"


" Susan in white 1t must have been
her ghost" said poor superstitious Mrs.
Dale, putting down her dishes and turn
ing pale with apprehension.


A great Gathering of hoofs over the
stones of the yard soon divested her
mind of this absurd notion; for rattIing
up to the entrance, hardly refined in at
the house door, came the dark-bay horse
flecked with foam, having galloped for
at least five miles at the top of his speed,
with the excited half-ciad girl upon his
back.


1t was the work of moment for Ben
to seize the bride and hold the animals
head, while Susan dropped, rather than
dismounted, into her aunt's outstretched
arms, and, overcome by her previous
emotions, burst into tears.


"Goodness gracious ~ cried the good
woman, altogether scared, "what ever
does 1t all meanln


"I've been robbed, aunt Oh, dear !
/ Ill - -