Everett T. Tomlinson

“ The upper part of the body had been stripped, and a thick coating of tar entirely covered it, and upon the tar a sack of feathers evidently had been thrown, so that the appearance of the man was scarcely human. A feeling of anger and of pity swept over Robert's heart; and for a moment, unmindful whether the man was an enemy or a friend, he was striving to think how he might be of service to the wretched victim of some lawless men. ”

“ A mumbled reply that sounded indistinctly like "I cannot see," caused Robert to seize one hand of the prostrate man and lift him to his feet.
"There you are!" he said cheerily. "You 're not half dead yet. Come along!"
Groaning pitifully, the man, who apparently was entirely blinded, obeyed, and, clutching Robert's hand, followed him as he led the way to the spring on the opposite side of the road. For a moment the young express gazed at the abject and wretched victim whose plight certainly was one to move a harder heart than that which he possessed. ”

“ Thank you, sir!" replied Robert eagerly, as he grasped the letter. "Where did you say Hannah and her mother had gone?" he inquired, as he prepared to start for the barn.
"I did n't say. If you 're bound for Fort Montgomery, it won't make any difference to you anyway. I don't mind telling you that she's at my house. She and my son are"—
"Are what?" demanded Robert quickly, as the man paused.
"It does n't concern you what they are," said the man tartly. "If you 're as anxious as you pretend to be to get inside the fort you 'll not stop to ask any more foolish questions here. ”