Year: 1877

It was a lovely evening in the height of Summer. The sun had been a half hour gone, but his beams still fingered in the clear horizon, and still the fieecy cloud was tinged with fading touch of red. The blue vault had not yet deepened into gray, nor the landscape become obscure in the growing twi- light. And yet there was mellowing tint upon the scene, that gave of soft ness, what it stole of splendor.

 The flowers that had dropped, and the leaf that had withered in the noon- day heat, were already recovering by the evenings freshness, while the thrush prolonged her song, and the red breast fingered on the bough, as if un- willing to part from such day. Peace and repose were the character of the scene, and fancy might almost picture that the task of life was done, and all things ready for an eternal rest.

 Such was the beautiful aspect of de- clining day. a..s a#E

 had just arrived at the point where two roads emerged from the main stem, having nearly completed my evenings ramble, and was just turning into the right hand prong of the road which led to my home, when my reverie was dis turbed by strange sound as ofa human voice, apparently in great distress. halted and looked around me, hoping to catch glimpse of this object, whereby, if human being were in distress, l could immediately render assistance. The shadows of night-fall were fast enclosing the last moments of expiring day, and soon the dark curtain of night would shut out probably, all possibility of rescue until the coming morn.

 Thus I soliloquized for few seconds, while my eyes penetrated into the sur roundings. To the right of my road fifty feet, lay a thick copse. I ap- preached it slowly and cautiously, and when I reached the edge hailed. Hal loo! who are you2 paused for reply when the same sounds that I had first heard, fell again upon my ears, but much more audibly. then knew that I was nearing the source from whence proceeded the mysterious noise. hailed again, and voice within few feet of me. answered, "Hold on! Come this way!" I turned to my left, and saw behind fallen tree lying prostrate on the ground, female figure. hast. ened to the spot and inquired the cause of her apparent distress, and why sht was thus alone and unprotected in the wood. She replied that her mission was one of mercy, and that she wal under the protection of heaven, ane that no doubt but that had been sen by that way to assist her in her effor to save life and property.

 She insisted that I should sit down oI the fallen tr9e, and that she would make known to me in detail, the caus of her very strange visit to the wood

 After being seated for few moment she began to unfold her terrible story

 ssI am not only stranger to you, bu am a stranger in the neighborhood.

 arrived at my uncle's ten days ago from my city home, and to-day whil out gathering wild flowers in the WOO near my uncle's house, espied thre rough looking men coming toward me their path lay between me and tn house. So to escape observation,

 nestled myself closely in the under growth, until they could pass me, bu when they arrived nearly opposite t where I had secreted myself, the halted, sat down, and began a converse ton with each other. Every word c their conversation I could distinctl understand, being in close proximity where they were seated.

 I soon learned from their converse ton, that they were portion of ban of burglars, who had infested tn country for many weeks, and they wer plotting to take the life of one MT. Jal wis, the only son of an aged and dt crepid parent, whose farm is adjoinin my uncle's, and then they could easil rob the old folks of a large sum of none that they knew came into their po' session few days ago. They said tn SUI utu SOIIe AlOAl uOulC, dIiu "Oul probably return as was his custom abol night, and that they would lay in wa at the outer gate by the edge of tf wood, and would dispatch him wit their bludgeon, and then repair to u house, tie the old folks, and und' threats of violence make them point ol the spot where the coveted treasure W;

 oncealed.

 I communicated what I have ju told you to my uncle, who feveris with excitement started to apprise O MT. Jarvis of his approaching door when in the hurry he fell from u porch, and dislocated his ankle joil which rendered him powerless to do s

 There being no one else to bear u news, volunteered to do it mysel My uncle informed me that young NJ Jarvis would pass where the ros forked, and that had better go tn way, lest the burglars at the gate migl intercept me before I could reach M Jarvis house. I had been here abor half an hour, when you came alon and my object is to enquire if you kno this young man Mir. Jarvis, and wou you assist me in conveying this s: news to him? ?''

 Great Heavens! I exclaimed, I a the young Jarvis of whom you spea come; fly with me to my home, V