Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-02-21
An Irish Highwayman.


led by his wife and daughter, determined
TO perform the journey by easy stages, in
his own carriage and with his own sleek
and we'll fed horses, instead Of trusting his
bones to the tender mercies Of an Irish
post.chaise and the unbroken garrons used
for drawing these crazy vehicles.
One part Of his route was through wild
and mountainous district; and the bishop,be-
ing very humane man, and considerate Of
his cattle made point Of quitting his car
riass at the foot Of every hill and walking
10 the top. On one of these occasions he
had loitered 10 look nt the extensive pros
pect, indulgins in reverie upon its ster-
ileappearance, and the change that agri-
culture might produce, and in SO doing suf-
fered his family and servants TO be conside-
fabiy in advance; perceiving this he has
tened to make up for lost time, and was
stepping out with his best speed when fell
low leaped from behind heap of loose
stones, and accompanying the flourish oil
his huge club with demoniac yell, de-
manded, "Money % with ferocity of
tone and manner perfectly appalling.
The bishop gave the robber all the sill
eysr he had loose in his pocket. hoping that
ii pould satisfy him. but he was mistaken,
foF no sooner had the ruffian slowed it away
in q cnpacious rent in his tattered garment
than with another whirl Of his bludgeon,
and an awful oath he exclaimed
sand is it with the likes Of this, Pm
after letting you off! few paltry tinpin-
nies It's the gould I'll have, or I'll spat.
lie your brains. Arrah, don't stand shiv-
ering and shaking there like Quaker IN
the ague, but lug out your purse, you dev-
Il Immediately, or l'll bate you as blue as
a milestone.
His lordship mos, reluctantly yielded his
well filled purse, saying in tremulous ac-
cents, ..My good fellow, there tits, don't
hurt me-Pve given you all, pray let me
depart"
..Fnir and softly, if you please, as sure
as I'm not good fellow havn't done with
you vet, must sarch for your note case.
for I'll engage you have few bits of pa
per payable at the bank, so hand it over,
OF you'll sup sorrow tonight
|, was given up; glance at the road
showed TINT hope Of assistance from his
servant was unavailing, the carriage had
disappeared, but the bishop made an in
stinclive movement as though anxious 10
escape from further pillage.
.sWait awhile, or may be | shall get an
cry with you; hand over your watch and
sales. and then you may :rudge."
Now it happened that :he divine felt
particular regard for his watch-not so much
from its being Of considerable value, but
because i, had been presented 10 him by
his first patron-and he yentured 10 expos
tulnte.
..SureIy you have taken enough: leave
ms my watch. and iii forgive all you have
done.o
..Who ax'd your forgiveness, you old
varmin. Would you lrife with my good
nature 4 Don't force me 10 do anything
I'D be sorry for-but without any more
bother. just give me the watch, or by all
that's hrly:-:--o
And he jerked the bludgeon from his
right hand to his left, spat in the horny
palm Of the former, and regrus2ed the for
midable weapon as though seriously bent
on bringing il INTO operation; this action
was not unheeded by his ytctim-he drew
forth the golden time piece, and with a
heavy sigh handed it to his spoiler, who,
rolling the chains and seal around it, found
some wider aperture in bis apparel into
which he csammed it. and giving himself,
q shake to ascertain that it had found, by
its own gravity. place Of safety. he SAID:
s.And now be off wild you and thank the
bl,ssed saints that you lave me without a
a scratch on your skin, or the value Of your
little finger hurt"
Il needed no persuasion 10 induce the
bishop 10 turn his, back upon the despoiler
Of his worldly goods. and having no weight
to Curry, he sci off at what equestrians term
q ..hard :anter;" scarcely had he reached
the middle of the precipitous roed, when
ha perceived his prosecutor running after
him. Ha endeavore1 10 redouble his speed.
Alas! what chance had he in race with
one whose muscles were as strong and
elastic as high-tempered steel
..Siop. you nilnble footed thief Of the
world!" roared the robber-s.s s.stop, tell
you! l've parting word wild you!
The exhausted and defenceless clergy
man, finding it impossible TO continue his
flight, suddenly came to stand STILL
The fellow approached, and his face, in
stead Of its former ferocity, was lit up with
q whimsical ROBUSTNESS OF expression as
he said:
..And il IS likely I'd let you off with
better cont on your back than my own
and will | be after losing the chance Of
that iligant hat and wig' OFF with
them this moment, and then you'll be quit
ofme."
The foot-pad quickly divested the bishop
Of his single breasted coat-laid violent
hands upon the clerical hat and iull-bot.
toned wig g-put them on his own person,
and then insisted on seeing his late apparel
used in their stead, and with loud laugh
ran of. as though his last feat was the most
meritorious of his life. -
Thankful at having escaped with unbro-
ken bones, his lordship was not long in
nvertaking his carriage, the servants could
not repress their laughter at seeing their
master in such strange and motley attire;
but thsre was in his face such evidences
Of terror and suffering, that they speedily
checked their rising Inclinations, particu
larly when they learnt by a few brief words
the danger he had undergone.
..My dear W. exclaimed his af- !