The national whig., 1847-07-10
NATIONAL WHlG.
THE MAIL ROBBER.
A THRILLING TALE.
TContinued.J

yet. Perhaps il is locked up in one OF the
small mail bags. Draw the cart out Of the
road, tumble the bags overheard, and we
will soon overhaul them. Lawyer, drag that
fellow out of the way
Etherington passively did as he was told.
Raising The body by the clothes, he was
hauling it on the green swarJ, when the
light of the small lamp fell upon the face,
and disclosed a deep cash on the side Of
the head from whence the blood was flow
ing profusely--evidently the effects Of the
blow struck by Etherington when the un-
fortunate driver was on the ground. Eth
crington let the body fall; large clammy
drops Of perspifation stood upon his ashy
cheek, and he stood gazing on the wound
as q man entranced He was reused from
his lcthargy Of horror by the touch Of the
smuggler, who said, in his usual clear, low
tone
Lawyer, have you penkaife with you.'
if so, hand it here for my ship-jack makes
but hard work of this mailbag leather
That's it. Here's the box, and now for bu-
siness.' .
The small cash box was forced open, and
a huge roll Of notes given into tho hands
Of Bite; the gold was transferred to the
smuggler's pockets, the light was extn-
guished, the horse fastened to the gibbct
post, and the body Of the manned driver
lifted into the cart. III fl N t III
SIS he deads' whispered Etherington.
Not yet said Bite, with . grin but
am afraid that he'll have the headache as
long as he lives.'
Lawyer, we must have your horse. Bite
must be in London, and change these no,es
before the hue and cry is given. Then over
to France, you know, Bite; get TO Cher
bourg, and wait the arrival OF bosky Sue
Off-with you, and don't let The grass grow
beneath your feet, unless you wish 10 be
swung on the vacant stick here
Bite walked of towards the fir-tree close,
and in few seconds the gaIlop Of horse
was heard proceeding down one Of the OBJ
scupe crossroads. NJ
Now, then, for short cut over. the
Downs, lawyer; we have done the job well,
and may defy detection. We shah have
enough for our purposes till we &c! our
share of Bites notes. What is the matter
with-you' you have not spoken for an
hour
s is he dead ~ said Etherington, fearfully.
Let us hope for the best. wish it had
been otherwise. But we must now part
il would be dangerousto be seen together
Without any division of the booty, or a
word in explanation, the srnuggler sdarted
across the fields, and was soon lost to Eth
eriag,cn's sight. Jaded and heart smitten,
thD wrstched young man reached his own
l. 4. 1.ol h,,x,
TO sleep.
CHAPTER III.
The next morning, as Ethefington was
sitting at the breakfast table, gazing with
bloodshot eyes upon the untasted meal, the
principal partner in the banking -house was
announced. Etherington jumped up wildly
from his chair. and throwing open the win
dow, evidently meditaed escape; but, ac-
tuated by second thoughts, a faint smile
ovcrspread his chastity features, and he re-
turned to his chair The gentleman entered
the room.
s,Mr. Etheripgton,' said he, { suppose
you have heard Of our double misfortune
robbery and consequent failure. have
called on you as an active lawyer, TO solici,
your cooperation with the magistrates in
attempting everything in the power Of man
to discover the scoundrels who last nigh
robbed the mail. am more interested in
this affair than regards the actual loss Our
bank experienced partial pressure. had
written on for funds, and this morning we
could have met every demand with instant
payment. am now q ruined and disgraced
old man. The people will not believe but
that the robbery was planned by the bank
ers and after a long life Of honorable in
dustry, my grey hairs are tinged with sor
row and with shame. Mr.. Etherington,
care not for my sudden fall from afiluence
could / preserve my honor; bu, ruin j
spread around-hundreds will point at m
as the robber of the poor; and Ishall de
sccnd TO the grave with the burning execIa
tons of the ruined tradcsman, the impoy
erished widow, and the beggared orpiia
ringing in my cars
The old man leaned his head upon th
table, and wept like child. Etheringo
attempted TO speak, but was frightened a
the unearthly tone Of his own voice. Th
banker, ashamed of his weakness, short,
rose and left the house, earnestly request
ing Etherington TO use his utmost endsav
ors to bring the criminals to justice.
After swallowing larger stimulant thar
usual, in vain attempt to still the first sharI
Cravings OF that worm that never dies, Eth
eripgton was about tolcaye tile house, who's
his aged aud in6rm parent to,tered into tht
room, apd with the painful sorrow of ex.
Il 4 u. A -