Year: 1871

lie Sreat OAKS End naples Ill front OF
John Morgan's humble farmhouse, were
covered with thick coat of DEFENDERS
sheeting, and the wind howlcd through them
as if the storm spirits were holding high car
nival


Down in the valley the storm ragged with
still greater fury. The branches creaked
and groaned, and the few crisp leaves that
had been left upon the trees were caught and
borne away in eddying whirls.


1t was a night in mid December, and truly
it was fearful night. The day had been
one of those still, biting days when the sky
seems to he one great sheet of steel blue
but as night came on, great broken clouds
came hurrying up, and the wind rose until it
blew perfect hurricane.


As John sat down by the fire that even
ing, feeling of comfort came over him. His
days work was done and his cattle carefully
housed for the night. He took up the week
ly paper which had just been brought from
the postoffice, and was soon deeply interest
ed in the matter contained in its columns.


John was what is known as a forehanded
man. He always drove his work, and had
everything about him in excellent order. At
the age of twenty-five he became acquainted
with Annie .Jamison, and after brief court
ship, married her. She was farmers
daughter, and in the few years they had
lived together she had proved that she was
we'll suited for the position she was called
upon to occupy.


John had bought the farm they now lived
upon few years before, and already every
thing about the house was neatly arranged
and in excellent order The fences, which
had had all been sadly out of repair, were
now firm and strong, and tho unhinged and
broken gates were made fast and secure.


"Annie," said John, after he had read
the most important parts of his paper, ''the
wind, as it Whistles through the great oak
trees tonight, seems to say, Remember the
poor perhaps" he added, laughingly, 81
would not have recognized the words so dis
tinctly had not been reading of family in
our town by the name of Dennison who were
in a starving condition, and also a pretty
little essay by somebody, entitled "The
Shon Lamb"


Annie Morgan was about to reply to her
husband, when they were both startled by
a loud and hasty knock on the hall door.


Goodness exclaimed the little wife,
what does that mean?


The knock was Immediately repeated, and
this time it came with such violence that it
seemed the person who knocked fully intend
ed to have the door opened to him imrnedi-
ately, or he would break it down.


John started towards the door, but his
wife caught bis arm.


"John, she tremblngy said, "perhaps
you should not open the door; person who
knocks in that way must be desperate
character.


"Pooh! don't be afraid, dear Can l re-
fuse admission to any one on a night like
this ?"


Another loud knock sounded dismally
through the hall, but ere its echoes died
away, John flung open the door, and stood
face to face with a large man mufled in a
large cloak.


"Come in, " said John, "your errand must
be desperate one.


81 como on an errand Of mercy" he re-
piled, and, as he spoke, strange chill Of
fear and dislike seemed to pass over both
John and his wife. came to ask if You
will allow me to bring here man who has
been robbed and probably murdered. We
were driving together in this wagon" point
ing to light vehicle which stood short
distance from tho door, "when we were sur
prised by three men, who rushed upon us
and demanded our money. A struggle en-
sued; my friend was dragged from the buggy
and drove away for the purpose Of secur-
ing aid and assistance. A shot was fired
after m,, but did no harm. Will you come
with me, and will you allow me to bring my
friend here. f he has been wounded, as I
fear he has p


Certainly" replied Morgan, certainly.
Come 70 the fire, while | get my overcoat
and hat. ! will be ready in minute.


The stranger came up to the fire, and John
and Annie both saw bis face. 1t wore a
fendish look, and they both shuddered with
a strange, undefinable fear.


"John," said Annie, 81 am afraid to let