Year: 1871

Our heroine lived in Bartlett,
New Hampshire and was descen-
dant of the old Crawfords. Her
father was a Crawford, and follow
ed the profession of guide among
the mountains


Her uame was Bessie, and she
was the only daughter remaining
at home, a dark-eyed. brown haired
girl, O slight but compact frame,
Just entering her nineteenth year.
Her mother being dead, upon her
devolved the whole care OF the
household.


One day, late in summer, Mr..
Crawford went with a party OF
travellers awav to the headwaters
of one Of the many mountain
streams that enter the Saco, and
Bessie was left alone. Even the
dogs had gone with the pleasure
seekers.


Near the middle of the afternoon.
while the girl was sitting by the
open window, a man came up from
the road and asked her to give
him a drink Of water.
Bessie had seen the man before
and did not like his looks. He was
a stout, broad-shouldered, ill>fa-
vored fellow, and the bits of moss
and spikes Of the pines upon his
clothing indicated that he had
silent in the woods.


But Bessie did not hesitate
She laid aside her work and went
to get the water. When she came
back the man had entered the
room


| She did not like this, for she
was sure he had come in by the
window; but she handed him the
dipper without remark. The man
drank. and then set the dipper on
the table. Then he turned upon
the girl and drew broad bladsd
knife from his pocket.


Look We, nv young lady, be
said, I know there's money in this
house. and I know you are alone,
Show me where the money is! If
you don't shall kill YOU, and then
hunt it up myself! I'm in earnest,
and there amt no time to waste
Don't make a fuss, for if you do,
You'll feel this knife quick
Bessie shrank back and looked
into the mans face; and could sec
that he meant just what he said.


If show youthe drawer where
the money is, will you promise not
TO do me harm?'


Show me honest, and l won't
. harm you


Then come with me-


Bessie led the way to small
bedroom on the ground floor. where
there was AN old m ahogany bureau,
the upper drawer of which she un :
locked. The man, when he saw
this. thinking, doubtless, that Craw-
ford's gold was within his grasp,
shut up his knife and put it into
his pocket.


The girl opened the drawer, and
quick as thought, drew forth large
navy revolver. one with which she
herself had killed trapped bear,
and cooked it,


.Villainr she exclaimed. plant
ing her back against the wall, and
aiming the weapon at his bosom:
many a wild beast have l sho'
with this good pistol, and I'll SHOOT
you if you don't Instantly leave the
house! 1 will give you not even
second. Start, or fret


The ruffian could read human
looks as we'll as the maiden. and
he could read very plainly in the
firm-set lips and in the flashing
eyes, but more clearly in the steady
hand which held the pistol --tha
she would not only fire, as she had
promised, but her aim would be
sure and fatal one.


And he backed ont from the bed
room, backed into the sitting room
then leaped from the window ant
disappeared.


Bessie kept he. pistol by he
side until her father and his guest
came home: and when she had tolt
her story, search was made for tn
ruffian. But he was not TO be found
Our heroine had SO thorough.
-: l,;,,, tbot ho povor 20 IN