Addie Thorne's Miraculous Escape from Rustlers through Divine Protection and Courage

“I tried to read; then I ‘elocuted’ as Bob says; ‘all by my lonesomes.’ I selected, and cast a playlet for a public entertainment, went to the pantry, tried to eat a cookie—failed—went to the front door. This time the horizon was occupied—that is a small portion of it. There were two horsemen just this side of a fringe of trees leading into the nearby hills. At first I thought it was the boys—then perhaps some neighbors; but just in time I realized it was neither. I slipped quickly indoors, shutting and locking doors and windows, for the men were riding my way, and I didn’t like facing them alone—eight miles from anybody... I heard horses’ hoofs pounding along at the rear of the barn. I raced down the stairs to see and there was Alex. Page hitching his horse at the barn door! — The Young Woman's Journal 27:8”