Year: 1877

SAVED BY LIGHTNING.


1t looks like shower, don it, Reu.
ben !? said young, fair looking ma
tron, standing in the doorway of a
cabin just as the sun was dropping
behind the tree-tops to the west. in
one Of the frontier settlements of
Minnesota.


A young man, hardy and strong,
was coming up from the clearing
down by the river, with the ak he had
been welding all day thrown over his
shoulder. These words from his wife
saiuted his ears as he came near, and
caused him to turn his head and glance
away to the southwark, where great
bank of sable clouds was piled high
against the evening sky.


yes. Ruth, it does look like it, he
answered. Il thought 1 heard it
thunder just before left work.


sIt looks as though it would be a
heavy one.' she said, little apprehen-
sively, for, to tell the truth, she was
little cowardly in this respect.


10 this her husband made no reply.
but playfully pushing her aside from
the doorway, he entered the cabin,
and at once took down the rifle from
the hooks where it was hanging.


What have you seen to shoot, Reu-
benz ? she said. DO not 70 out again
tonight, for supper is waiting now


Il am not going he answered qui.
city. Il am only making cure that my
rifle is IN good order-but still 1 may
have occasion to use it before morn
ing


The young wife turned pale.


You don't mean to say that the
savages are here again p she asked.


You may as well know the truth
at once, Ruth said her husband, look
ing her full in the face. sThere are
redskins hanging about here, and I'm
afraid they mean US mischief. I've
seen no less than three at one time
within an hour, ekulking along in the
edge of the wood, Their motions tell
me that we had better be on our guard
tonight. Were they friendly they
would have come openly to me or to
the cabin


~r,o,n ~, l.
aud her eyes sought the bed, where a
rosy. checked boy of some two sum-
mers was lying fast asleep.


We must do the best We can. The
cabin is stout and strong, and doubt
their being able to break in should
they try it. But you must have lots
of courage, Ruth. May be it won't
be needed, and hope it won't. Now
let US make sure that the cabin is all
tight, and then we will! have that sup
per which you say is waiting


lie spoke checrfully, but could not
dispol the fears that filled her heart.
and made her face as pale as death.


The heavy oaken shutters of the two



small windows were put in place and
made secure there, and then the door
was closed aud barred, and a large |
stick of timber that was kept for that
purpose was placed against it. When
the preparations had been completed
Reuben announced that he was ready
for his supper. This was soon placed
upon the table, and it must be confess
ed that the danger which lowered over
them did not in the least diminish his
appetite. But Ruth could hardly
swallow mouthful, and she wonder
ed how it was that her husband could.
She was thinking of the danger that
menaced them. and listening for the
slightest sound that came from with.
out.
The darkness increased, and tho sound
OF distant thunder broke upon their
ears. Through a chink in the shutter
they saw that the cloud in the south
was fast rising and spreading itself
over the heavens. fastening on the
fast coming darkness.


I'VE shall get good shower said
Reuben.


Il hope so,' answered his wife. 'Ifj
there is, it may keep the savages under
cover of the forest to night


'Harkr said Reuben; what was
that?'


Both were silent. and holding their
breath to listen. In a moment the
sound was repeated. 1t was a footstep
without. Ruth trembled with appre-
hension. Then another and another
was heard.


The redskins were about the cabin.


'They have come cried Ruth in a
low tone.


YES said Reuben. Hark! let us
see what they mean to do.'


A minute later, and the door was
shaken violently. Then a savage with
out exclaimed in broken English:
White man open door. InjiDs want
to come in.'


TO this appeal Reuben made no an
swer. He had No idea of granting the
request, and words he knew would do
no good. Again the demand was
made. Bnt, as before, no answer was
returned. Then there came q few