The Mail-carrier's Adventure

During tbc civil war Joe Albright held the rosponsiblc position of n:ght inail-carner over a mountainous región in Western Virginia. He left Cherryvillc at six ia the evemng, and reaclicd Allentown, a distance of tbirty miles, at eleven o'clock. Alter deliveriug the mail, feeding and routing big ii.r acouple of houre, he made the return trip, arriving at Chcrryville again at six o'cluck the following niorning. It was rough riding, over a wild and sparsely inliabitcd región ; but this course he had traversed for a number of years, in winter and suminer, through storm and starlight, always faithfnl aud prompt to time. At the opening of war, like many others on that debatable ground, he desired to join in the etruggle, but he was strongly urged to continue at his post, as there was often very important news to Ik) trsnsmitted by that route, and it would not bc easy to find another equally brave and reliable. His tall muscular form, well mounted on a fleet horse, was very familiar to the inhabitants of the few liauilets throuh which he passed. From nearly every house in the early evening, somc one was waiting with a little business to be transaeted for thcin at the distant town, or at least a cheery greeting. During those earlier yeara he had never encountered any danger yond that which tho elemonts sometimes conspired to raise. But as Western Virginia became more the field of partisan warfare, even his lonely beat was exposed to the raids of the bushwhackors, and the utmost vigilancc was required to guard against a surprise. One cold nigut in November he left Allentown at two o'clock, as usual, to return to C'herryville. Before ttarting, as the postmaster handed him the bag, he said, with a significant look - "Do you think you can carry this safely ? It s very important that it should go through." "Why not? Is there any particular dangerto-night?" "Well, I'veseensouie suspiciouslooking fellows hangïig about all day. You better keep a sharp lookout. " Joc fastened his bag in front of him, feit his pistols to make sure they were ready, and rode away in the darkness. His eyes and ears were on the alert for any unusual signs ; but ere long a pelting snowstorm (.ame on, and facing the cold blast made him feel almost reckless of the consequences. So he urged his horse rapidly forward, hoping to cross the spur of Cherry Mountains and reach shelter from the cuttine wind in the forest bevond. W hile ascending the fiist slope, his horse suddenly reared, as a dark object sprang up before him. Joe's hand instantly grasped his pistol, and he shouted - (Jlear my track or 111 shoot you." "Mr. AlbriLht, it's me," cried a shrill boy s voice. "Stop, I've somethin' to teil yer." "JohDny Bruce ! What brings you here this time o' night?" "I've been waitin' mor'n an hour for yer. iMy cousin Dick Sharpe, wid a lot o' bu.shwhackers, is watchin' to murder ycr an' take the mail. I can't teil yer how I found 'im out, but they's heerd that some soldiers have been sendin' thar moncy home in that 'ero bag, an' they's bound to have it. lou'dbettcr go back to Allentown, ferthey'll kill yer, suro as yer go on." "I can't bear to go back : yet one agin a crowd on this loncly road wouldn't stand a minute's chance. 1 wish I could manage to go 'round 'era," said Joe in a hesitating, truubled voice. "WeU, ifyor'll trust roe to lead yeron foot, ITin do it," replied the boy eagerly. "Whyshould you wish to do this for me?" asked Joe in a suspicious voice. "Wlio's took all my whortleberrics an' other things an' sold 'om for us at Allentown, never chargin' us nothin' fer the trouble? Ain't we a-livin' outer that monoy now ? But hark ! I believe they're The faint trampling of horses' feet was heard advancing. Joe spraDg to the ground, removing his bag, and turning his horse's face toward Allentown, struck bim a sharp cut witb a whip. The animal gave a loud snort as if resenting the act, and dashcd rapidly away. "Quick, quick, thcy're comin' faster! W o must hide in that thicket ! cried Jouny, in a terified voice, as he darted up the side of the mountain. Scercely had they time to crouch down bchind some underbrush before a dozen well-mountod men rodo up and lialtcd just wliere Joe's progresa bad been arrested. He felt sure their retreat was discovered, and resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible. He did not daro move or scarcely breathe as he heard Dick Sharke say- "I could 'a' sworn I heerd his hoss jist here." '"Taint likely he could 'a' ot so far." replied another gruft' voice. "You're allers hoariu' somethiu' moro'n orn'ary. Hut I reckon we'll overhaul hitu by Frogs' l'ond. Come on, boys; if we catch him thar, we'll toss him over to the frogs, an' pocket the cbink. That's a fair dewision o' the spoil." "llomember that hoss o' hia'n is to bo mine," callcd Sharpe as they rode rapidly away. When entirely out of sight and hearing, Johnny sprang to hia fect and said in a trembüne voice, "Lord a-massy 1 I thought we wero done fer when them chaps pulled up jist thar. Come now, wo must stir ourselves right lively !" and he dashed forward with the unerring step of one treading familiar ground. 'Aro you suro you wont get lost ?' ' asked Joe, as they turned and twisted here and there, uow up, now down the steep slopes, often involving vcry rough climbing. "Ireckon yer can't lóseme on any o' the moontiDga. Thar ain't a squirrol track what I don't know. Yer see we's Kot to keep shy o' the main road, fer yer don t know rhar tlicm chaps will turn up agin Wc had a powferiul close shave an I d rather take the longest way round tuan risk anoder ternight." Joe warmly expreesed his gratitude to lus littlc preserver, and together they toiled on till nearly noon, wlien they cntered Cherryviile, aai he delivered the ba in saloty. a But Johny's h'delity had a reward lic httlo expected, for that mail contained a letter, saying that hi3 father had been wounded only, not killed, as first reported lic had recovcred his health, was in active service agam, and had sent homo all of his pay he could spare for their support