Year: 1876

; L cOulu just discern the outline
| of two horsemen, who reined III


within a few feet of the spot where
, stood


J / felt that the odds were great,


against me, but J. determined to sci
my life dearly.


Il shouldn't Suppose his hors,


could have taken him away mucl


further said one of them. whose


voice instantly recognized as tha


of my late host.


Hist here is his horse" said the


other, as an impatient movement


OF the animal betrayed his proxim.


ty.


Just then the moon emerging


from a cloud revealed my form dis
tinctly, as / stood with one finger
on the trigger, watching for the first
CLEAN of light to make my aim
sure.


The landlords eyes fell directly
upon me, and with a muttered curse
he snatched a pistol from his belt
But he was too late; there was a
sharp whistle, followed by a dull
heavy sound, and throwing his
hands upward he fell forward upon
his horse.


As he fell, his pistol, which was at
half cock, was discharged, to all ap-
pearances mortally wounding his
companion, who dropped instantly to
the ground.


But it seems that this was merely
feint: for no sooner did he see that
was off my guard than he fired
Fortunately, he aimed too high, and
the ball passed harmlessly over my
head


sprang forward, and after a brief
struggle succeeded in disarming him.
Then perceiving that one of his knees
was shattered, making escape impos-
sible, / left him, and mounting the
inelooking animal he rode, / re-
sumed my journey.


1t was past midnight when L
reached A, and broad daylight
when, accompanied by magistrate,
a posse of constables, and several
villagers, returned to the scene of
my nights adventures.


The landlord lay just as he had fall
len, his pale face turned up to the
rays of the sun. The other villain
had managed to crawl away, but he
was soon tracked and secured


We then went in body to the
tavern. But there was no one in the
house but the old woman, who though
she seemed at first little startled by
our entrance, manifested the most
stolid indifference, even when told of
the fate of her husband As she was
believed to be accessory to his crimes
Sllc WIS idktll lllIO


To my surprise and astonishlaent
little kathie was no where to be
found. questioned the woman, en-
deavoring by alternate threats and
bribes to obtain some clue to her
fate; but she maintained a sullen
silence.


They had all gone, but still l lin
gered, thinking sadly of the dear
child, who, / was constrained to fear,
in saving my life had lost her own,
when L heard faint cry. L put my
ear TO the floor, from whence it SEEM
ed to proceed, and it was repeated.
As quick as thought, L removed some
straw that was lying upon the floor,
revealing trap door. / lifted it up,
and there, in dark, damp, noisome
hole, was poor little Kathie, almost
fainting from terror.


My joy in finding her you can well
imagine; and as for her, she clung to
me as we cling to the only friend we
have.


The man was tried and executed,
the woman turning States evidence.
He confessed upon the scaffold to the
murder of number of travellers,
among whom was Kathie's father


As soon as my little protege was
able to travel L took her with me to
the States.


Though the idea of parting with
her was painful one, a sense of
duty induced me to write to her
nearest male relative, an uncle, re-
siding in Ohio, stating what 1 had
ascertained i'm regard to his brothers
fate, and the singular providence
which had given his little niece so
strong a claim upon my love and
protection.


But he had large family Of his
own; and though he would have
given home to his brothers child
had she stood in need Of it, upon
learning the circumstances very
willingly relinquished her to me.


She has lived with me ever since,
growing nearer and dearer to my
heart every day.


so you perceive, added my friend
in conclusion, that did not speak
lightly when L said that little Kathie
saved my life. And L have some
times thought" he added, his ex-
pressive eyes growing soft and misty
as he spoke, that she has done much
toward making it worth saving, for
never. until / felt the clinging of her
little arms around my neck. did /
realize the full import of those holy
words, OF such is the kingdom of
Heaven


And as L looked upon him and
thought OF one great sorrow that had
hardened his youth, turning to bit
terness the sweet spring of domestic
affection, and the life he had led
since, SO calculated to draw out the
harsher and sterner qualities of his ma
ture, thanked God for the angel He
had sent to him in the form of a child. |


Blackguard Journalism.