A Night Of Peril

Close pon the border of the old Bay State there is situated a pleasant little hamlet which impresses one at ftrst acquaintance by the indescribible air of repose wliich lingers about it, in spite Of the tall chmmeys and buzzing machinery of the factories by the river's bank. The 'well-worn toad beds wliich approach the village on either side are liedged in evento this day witha heavy growth of wood, and a little outside the limits of them there is game of various kinds. Ilere the lmntsman, if he go out in the nght season ot the year, wül be suro to b;ig partri'lges and quail without number, and the city flsherman coulcl not wish tor more enticing trout streams in which to cast his fly. II ere I found myself, not many seasons sinct1, and being a sportsman of the most pronounced type, began at once to improve my opportunities. Numberless werethe tramps I made all throughout the región, sometimes carrying a luncheon and stretching myself beneath the spreading branches of some great tree, when I became weaiied of my sport; and again, lighting a fire of leaves and twigs and roastinsr my trout or a portion of them in the most approved manner. At such times I fnastod Ia a rojal manner, for I prided myself on my woodcraft, which science of course includes cookery. Ihad of ten heardof the Alton stream, some fourteeu miles west of the village, where the trout were said to be of the largest and most gamy species, and the woods for a wonder peculiarly free from invaders. I immediately ed that the iirst cloudy day sliould liud ine iu the mucli lauded vicinity; but a whole fortnight had passed, and as yet I had not attempted to carry out my plans. Fortunately, ihe weather appearing to promise good fishing, I resolved to put off my trip nolonger, and hiring 8 horse and team, at last I got under way. At starting, although the sun was shining brightly, f ar a way in the west were banks of heavy leaden clouds, which would, I hoped, before long stretch their canopy overhead so as to Insure good sport. My ride was through the thickest of New England woods, and moro than once I alighted f rom my buggy, and, tying my horse to a tree, set off in the wake of afrightened covey of partridges; for on such expeditions I never neglected my gun. And so, before I reaehed my journey's end, my shotgun had spoken repeatedly, and I was the possessor of four handsome birds. The Alton stream was reaehed before noon, and leaving my horse at the only farmhouse in the neighborhood, apparently, I set out, in compaxy witli a smaïl, red-haired youth, whose locks were in the most exquisito tumble. ïlie sur. liad disappoitited me; instead of veiling its face it shone out brigliter and wanner than it had any time as yet, doubtless inucli to the edification of the aborigines, as these confortable coiintryinen are often termed. The woods were deeper hereabouts than in the neighborhood of the village, and it seemed asif theboynever would reach the spot; in fact, so ilark was the shade that I doubted much whetherthe brightnesa of the outer world could for a moment hurt my prospect as i üsherman. "VVhen at lergth he pointed out to me a black, bubbling stream not more than six feet wide, but apparently very deep, I heayed a sigh of relief; the Alton brook looked propiSÉüs. Dismissing the boy, I soon had my line in readiness; and then commenced such sport as I have seldom had the good luck to indulge in, after giving me every opportunity to bring myskill into requisition, until at length I tired f r ff I I " + 1 1 V ik - i J 1 A VT 1 r- 1 1 m u B 1 1 ui Liic mu, aiiu, ïiiyiii usiuc my ruu, coinmenced casting about for a good place to build an oven, where I might fry my iisli and prepare a cup of coffee. Sucli a spot was foimd without delay, and soon the ruddy flaines were crackling about the miniature coJïee pot which I produced from my pack, wliile the liquor within loaded all the air with the most delightfiü aroma. As for rnyself, stretching my limbs by the side of the stream, 1 had passed into one of the most delightful of reveries when a merry laugh from behind startled ine. Instinctively I sprang to my feet. Kot more tlian a rod behind, facing the fire, with her long golden tresses Hoating in the breeze, stood a lady of some twenty summers, unattended. My cap was in my hand in a moment. 'Your laugh startled me,' I stam, mered. 'I thought I was alone.' 'It is for me to beg your pardon,' was the reply; my merrhnent was very unladylike, doubtless; but do you not rproonizfi me Mr. Stannnril V' She seemed abashed at my evident discomliture, and suddenly beuame very reserved. Then all at once the thought tlashed upon me that the lady was none other than my southern cousin, Carrie Norton, whom I had not seen for many years. 'Is this my Uncle Norton's daughter?' I queried, stepping forward. lier reserve vanished. 'Yes. ïliere is my hand.' And she placed it in mine. 'Í saw you from the house above when you passed, and thought I would make bold to speak to you.' 'Surely,' I stammered in surprise, 'you cannot be staying at the red farmhouse where I have lef t my horse " 'Oh, yes, but I am!' she replied; 'and to teil you the truth, I don't at all like my surroundings. Shall I teil you how 1 carne here 't' 'Do,' I answered; 'and, my fair cousin, if you will be seated I wil] give you a royal repast, should your ladyship please to honor me.' She seated herself on the mossytrunk of a fallen tree. 'I will partake of your fare, she said, 'upon one condition; and that is that I may have your counsel. Papa and I are staying in ('oncord. Just two weeks ago hetold me that hewasgoing to drive through New York State, and asked me if I cared to go with him. Of course I did. So we started, stopping over night at the largo hotels along the route, until we found ourselves in M . Ilere papa left us in the carriago and took the cara for Albany, telling Iliram to drive mamma and myself tliere by easy stages. That was three days ago. The next day we were overtaken in this neighborhood by a heavy storm; you remeinber liow it poured? We put up in tliis house above for shelter; tliey were very kind, and, as daikness ciime long beiore the storm was spent, we resolved to stay over night. In the moniing our two horses and carriage weregone. Mr. Manning, the farmer, said they must have been stolen by horse theives. He and Iliram went every where in the surrounding villages, and we have wiitten papa; but he has nol answered tlie letter. So here we've been for three days, and if Mr. Manning and liis wife were not so kind, I am afiaid mamma would be very uneasy. So you see when I recognised you, I inade bold to i'ollow, and here I am.' And you have heard nothing from your fathei? Surely tliat is rather straiijre .' 'Xothing at all,' she returned, 'and Iliram has been to the post-oflice at li - . every day.' 'Who mailed the letter you sent?' 'Mr. Manning, I Ihink. Hiram is just behind; whistle, and he will come.' I put my üngers to my lips, and whistled slirilly. 'So you were not in as unprotected a condition as I at first imagined,' I said "On, nol 1 never go far from the house without Hiram.' The latter personage made his ap pearance in almost instant response having doubtless been sitting in the woods beyond, and ame boundin to my side. He was tall and athletic with a face of more than ordinary intelligence. 'You called, sir,' he said, when at length he reached us. 'Yes,' responded my fair cousin; we wish to fmd out who mailed the letter to father the other day, you orMr. Manning ?' 'Mr. Manning.' ' Yöu are sure of this ?' 'Oh, very sure ma'am,' he said convincingly. 'I, meanwhile, had gone to the lower part of thetovvnship fornews concerning the horses.' 'ïhat will do; lead us to the house now, Hiram. You are ready to go, are you not, cousin?' I bowed. Already interested in the strange story, I resolved that all my services sliould be put forward in my relatives' belialf. Only a few minutes elapsed bef ore we were ready to move, and then, offering Carrie my arm, I followed the agüe negro over the winding path which led to the farmhouse. ïhe clouds in the west looked threatening when at length we stepped out into the open meadows, and it was already prematurely dark; we hurried acrcss the clearing, and l was about to follow my cousin into the house when Iliram, who had dropped behind, touched me on the arm. 'Might I sec you a moment, sir ?' he queried. 'Directly,' I answered, and went in. My aunt was waiting for us, and gave me a cordial greeting. She looked pale and tired; evidently the events of the past three days had worried her. 'I shall stay with you over night,' I said, 'If your hostess can find me room. In a moment I shall be back. í must see what Mr. Manning can do for my horse.' 1 Uien left the room, leavingmyaunt to make ai rangements with our landlady as to my lodging. Iliram was in the barn with the farmer, to whom he introducod me. I did not like his looks; there was something too cunning about the half closed eye to please me; and after seeing my liorse cared for, I was 'glad to get Hiram away on the pretence that bis mistress wanted him. The first drops of the coming storm were now falling, few and far between to be sure, but heavy as lead. 'What is it, Hiram 'i Have you anything to communicate?' I queried, when -we were out of hearing. He looked fearfully around him; there was no one near. 'Meet ine in the woods by that tall pine yonder,' he whispered, glancing carelessly across the flekls to the black growth beyond. 'I cannot teil you batista now, sir, but it is for the ladies. At kalf past nine, if you please.' And he was gone before I could put a question, swaggering ahead of me toward the house, as if afraid of appearing too intímate for one of his station, Here then was a plot; I must confess that My blood chilled a little; we were in for something in the way of adventure, but what I could hardly surmise. That evening as we sat in the kifcclien talking with the farmer and his wife, Carrie appeared very happy; my presence evidently freed her from a great deal of anxiety: but Mrs. Norton was decidedly nervous. At nine the man aiose, and, lighting a tallow candle, said, - 'Yeu must be tired, sir, and we go to bed considerable early here. 111 show yon a room, if you're ready.' I had been anxiously awaiting this turn in the conversation, and, in order not to disclose my excitement and anxiety, replied in rather a sleepy tone that I was ready, and feit pretty well worn out by my day's sport. 'Good night, then, cousin," laughed Carrie; 'we shall soon follow your exainple, no doubt." And having bowed to the company, I lelt the room with her merry voice ringing in my ears, and followed the rouglily shod farmer up the narrow, ereaking stairs to my ehamber. It was a rather long, low room, with two small and ant quely designed windows. There wasnothingpartieularly interesting about it, asdgiving a casual glance about me I half drew off my coat, only to slip it well on again as soon as my host had withdrawn. The tallow candió which had been left on the small, yellovv table by the door llickered wonderfiilly. I sat down on the bwl and watched it wliile trying to collect my thoughts; in some way it was a type of my perturbed feelings; I was anxious and cxcited, and kept Consulting my watch. At length the hands pointed to nine. I jumped to my feet and extinguished the Ilaiue, only to reseat myself and wait i few moments before making any decided movement; each second was unnaturally lengtliened untll I judgedthe time had arrived for action, Uien, stealing quietly across the room, I raised the window and looked out. ïhe ground was not more than twelve feet below. I cliinbed over the sill, hung suspended a moment by one hand, and then dropped lightly to the earth. There was no time to waste; Hiram must be getting impatient; in another moment I was running lightly over the meadow toward the dark belt of woods, ful of the rain, whicli feil ín torren ts. As I neared the barn I saw the Hicker of a lantern, and at first thought the negro miglit have been detained; but sober second thoughts carried me on, and I was soon in the shade of the woods, and walking hurriedly to tlie place of meeting. Hirara was there, koning against the trunk of the giant tree, all nmnindful of the rain. I grasped his liands. 'Teil me,' I said, 'all yon know about the horses; and are the ladies in danger ?' 'It is a long story, sir,' lie replied. 'but tliere is time for a, few words.theu we must act. Manning is a rogue. and ís at the bottom of the whole affair. I found that out yesterday, while listenng to a whispered couversation be;ween him and a couple of men down jy the brook ;and I learned more: he's tlie leader of a gang of men who have ichieved a reputation hereabouts for desperate deeds. And to-night, sir, they intend to run away with the ladies. As for you and me; why should they hesitate to put us under the sod? The ladies may be held without trouble until a snffic ent sumof inoney is for tl 1coming; but they will not attempt to keep you. ïhere are ten men concerned; by two o'clock their plan will be carried out unless we thwart them.' 'Well, and what's to be done ?' said I, breatliing hard; for the last discloswre had proved interesting. I have thought the whole thing over sir, and this is my plan, unless you object; that I go immediately to the barn and harness your horse, if possible - I think there is no watchman near the barn - while you get the Jadíes out to the flrst turn in the road tovvard R - , where I will meet you. We must act at once.' I pressed his hand. Speaking perfect English as lie did, I could hardly realize that my companion was a colored coachwiiin. 'Agreed!' I said. Just a moment more for perfecting tl' e plan and we both started, keeping well in the shadow toward the farmhouse. Suddenly Hirain caught my arm; there was a black shadow jast ahead - a ma without doubt. ■Stay here," whispered the darkey; 'he is probably the only watch on this side, and if we can secure kim all will be well.' Ho glided silently as a serpent from ny side. The rain was pouring so ïbavily that I could scarcely eomprelend what he said; but his actions showed me his purpose; he doubtless ntended to secure the sentüiel. You may be assured I watched anxiously for souie developments. One, three, seven minutes passed. 'Ah - he lias done it!'I excíaimedunder iny breath, as I saw the dark figure suddenly disappear, and lieard the mufHed noise oí' a heavy yet desperate struggle in tne underbush. Instinctively I darted forward; but I vas too late. Hirain was kneeling over a prostrate form when I reached the pot. 'Iv'e simply stunned liim,' lie ex)lained, 'but he fought hard,' and tearng away pieces of his coat lie proceeded to gag and tie his prisoner. I left hirn before he had completed lis task, at his own suggestion that as yet my work was all before me. The ■ed farmhouse was very dark, and at írst I found sometrouble in getting its ocation; but once there, although the back door was locked the front one was mfastened, and I entered. What should I do next 9 Where was .he ladies' room, and how could I seure a moment's audience in order to urge them to make ready for flight? f it had not been for the uproar of the torm outside I should doubtless have een discovered, as the stairs creaked ;erribly. Once up, however, I opened he flrst door I came to, just at the ïead of the staircase. Some one was noring inside; it must be the old man's wife. I withdrew and tried the next loor. A chair was against the door - .nat at least looked hopef ui. I stepped nside and shut the door after me, advancing quietly toward the bed, which ooined up darkly on the further ide. I had been right in my surmise; the head of the pillow nearest me was my aunt's, and Carrie was just beyond. I leaned over and touched her; she was awake ia a moment, and would have screamed had I not spoken. 'Cousin, we are in (langer; but pray don't be alarinedjall wJl beright if you isten to me.' 'Wha - what's the matter?' she wliisered in a trembling tone. 'I cannot teil you all now,' I said. Wake your mother and dress warmly, ;hen, taking what valuables you have, meet me at the door. I will be outside. You understand?' She nodded in a frightened wa'y, and I withdrew, closing the door after me. It was after eleven o'clock when the adies joined mo in the hall; my aunt was very nervous, although she had by no means lost her self-command, while ('arrie was surprisingly calm. 'And what now, cousin ?' she queried, as she put the small bundie she bore in my hands 'We are ready to follow your directions iniplicitly.' I lifted my tinger warningly. 'First,' I whispered, 'we must be very careful lest we awake Mrs. Manning. And now come down stairs as quieüy as possible.' Suiting my action to the words, I caref ully descended the rickety staircase and crossed the lower hall; then, siiuply pausing to see that my relatives were properly wrapped up, I cautiousy opened the door, and in another moment we were out in the cold, blinding storm. Tilla much accomplished I breathed easier. 'Come,' I said, 'we must reach the road as soon as we can. Iliram is to meet us there with the team, I hope, and then we will all feel safer.' So we went out, blindly groping ;hrough the storm, I supporting my unit, whose streagth seemed unequal to ;he emergency. IIow it did rain gná blow! the very elements seemingly united for our destruction. But still we struggled, now over meadow land, then for a short space over ploughed ground, plunging, stumbling, but still making progress. When we reached the road it was at least half past twelve, and my aunt was unable to go farther, notwithstanding the apparent fact that we were still for from the spot of meetingpowtng to the impowibility of Onding any rendezvous in so blindinga storm. Cante and niyself drew apart to consult. 'You will remain here with your motlior vvhile I go in quest of Hiram,' I suid. 'I)o you not fear to be left alone f '!No matter whether I do ornot,' wu the quiet reply; 'it must be done. I5ut, iciusiii, do you not see that twinkle through the rain? Is it not a lantén f I looked where she pointed ; sure enougli, a fuint glimmer down the road bespoke the probable presence of our foes. My mind was made up at once. 'Get your mother in the shelter of these trees,' I whispered, 'and I will see i f there is anything to be learned. (ood-bye!' She piessed my hand. 'Good bye - I will obeyyour instructions, and m:iy God bring you safely back!' And so I left her, bounding over the ground at íirst as fast as the wind, which was against me, would allow, tlien, after a second's sharp walk, dropping upon my hands and knees, and crawling forward toward the desired point until I found myself directly opposite two men who were engaged in conversation, one holding the tell-tale lantern, while theother spoke earnestly, now and then making an energetic gesture. One was Farmer Manning, the other was Hiram. IIow my heart beat at the disco very! I could have throttled the knave, so great was my indignation, but a wise providence restrained me. 'I teil you, captain,' the negro was saying, 'that my plan wil), as I argued, prove the better; had you murdered this young sport in your house, tliere would have been trouble. Now all that is necessary is for me to drive the happy three to the long gulch, and then you may do the work up neatly.' 'But wliat was the use of binding Bob?' said the old farmer. 'Simply a part of the plan, cap; it pulled the wool completely over the youngster's eyes, and Ned was behind tl ie trees to help Bob as soon as we were out of sight. But it's pa.t the time of meeting; the team is at the place, and unless some of your boys have foolishly stonned our birds. thev are there too. Good-night, captain - a good quarter for ine, remember!' And away stalked the negro in the surrounding darkness, while the farmer, drawing himself to the sheltered side of a clump of pines, seated himself on the soaktng ground. Stealthily I drew myselt back fruin the straggling rays of the lamp, and as soon as I feit myself out of hearing sprang to my feet and sped likc an arrow over the fields by the road bed toward my precious charge. At length I reached the two, andhurriedly repeated my story. 'We just saw a man pass,' whispered Carrie, when I had fïnished. 'He was walking rapidly; it must have beenlliram. How could he prove so unfaithf ui ï But, cousin, you and I must save mamma. A moment's stay with these horrid men will si-.rely kill her.' I deliberated a second, for I could not afford more time, and then my mind was made up. 'We must cross the fields,' I said; 'perhaps in this way we may reach in safety. But it will be a hard tramp; shall we attempt it ?' 'Certainly,' she replied; and without more ado, helping the older lady over the low stile, we three set out. But it would be useless to bore the reader witli a further account of our tramp. It was six miles to the little town of D in a bee line, and we of course were constantly straggling f rom our course. liut we reiiched helping hands at last, after numberless alarms ood misfortunes, soaked through and through. You may be sure the feeMe woruen vvere not at all sorry when I, having hidden them some three miles avvay tïom the village, retunied after a hard tramp with a real bona flde hack. 'Perhaps it will hereafter be pleasant to remember these things,' Carrie said that morning, when under a hospitable roof she pressed my hands bef ore seeking the needed rest. And her conjecture was not amiss, for time indaguin, is we sit oppositeeach other in our cosy little sitting-room, listening to the patter of the ruin on the roof. Cirrie, ny wit'e, will lean forward, and, as she pokes the ruddy embers in the lire, glances up into my face and smilinglj says: 'Do you remember, husband mine, how we weathered that lirst storm in the back woods ? And wasn't that an adventure?' You have heard our story, reader, and we leave it with you to judge. The superintendent of Castle Garden gave a reporter some curious statistics the other day with regard to the nationalities that are represented aniong the thousands now arriving. He says, "the most reinarkable exodus ut present seems to be from Swedea. We expect at least 80,000 Swedes over liere this year. I am told that entire villages and districts havo become depopulated, and this may be true, as the population is only about 4,000,000. Compare the number we expect this year with the 139 arrivals from Sweden in 1847! Bef ore last year, our annual reports rarely showed more than 5,000 eniigrants from there. In 1878 we had only 4,000 and in 1879, 12,000. In 1880, the number rose suddenly to 35,000, and this year we expect more than twice as niany. In 1851, 163,000 Irishmen arrived here. Since then the number has been smaller. In 1877 it was only 8,221. F rom that time thero has been a steady increase uutil last year there were over (J6,ÜOO Irish arrivals. ïhere have also been sorne remarkable tluctuations in Gemían immigration. When Franco paid the enormous indemnityafterthe Franco-Prussian war, we supposed Germany would be so prosperous that the Germans would remain at home. But in 1872 we received over 132,000 Germán immigiants, or more than have ever arrived here in a single year. After that the number feil off to between 20,000 and ::3,000, uittil last year, whe it suddenly went up to 104,264." It is expectedthat American tourists will spend $5,000,000 in Europe this yoar. At least 100,000 will go over the water, and their expenses will average, at the smallest estímate, $500 each.