The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-07-03


assembled, he looked a, the clock, then at bis
watch, and finally inquired Of the bar-keeper
,f he had the correct time.
ali wants eight minutes and three quarters
Of len," said the gentleman addressed, "to a
fraction !"
Harvey sat down aud remained quiet Just
eight minutes snd three quarters. when the
hour having arrived al which his companions
had promised to be assembled be began to
suspsc, foul play.
Has Dick W been here 10 night p
he asked.
Yes" replied the bartender.
Ard Charley B."
/ Yes
"And Bill CO
"Yes, they left here jlsi before you cane
IN. Ned l. and Flank A. we're With
them"
Harvey bit his lips he saw through the
entire plot; aud he asked himself, How the
deuce can come Up with the rascais -
An idea struck him, ard he rubbed his
hand, and chuckled audibly. He left the tav.
ern in hot haste, and proceeded homeward ia
high elee. lie already iel; his triumph com.
+ pEete, and saw his companions the victims of
their own treachery. Instead of alarming
the deacon, he resolved to play the part Of
deacon b mself The night was just dllk
enough to favor his design; although there
was moon, the sky was cloudy, and he gh,
Of the night queen was obscuied.
Harvey procured an cid ha, sim lar 10 the
one Deacon Newcoub wore, pulled ii over
his eyes, and disguised himself still more el.
leciuay by exchanging his jicke, for an old
lfock coat, which bore a striking resemblance
10 one the old man vas frequ My seen to
have on. Ptoy ded with this disguise, aud
being possessed, as before stated, of wonder
fol powers Of mmicry, he had not doub, Of
his ability TO counterfeit The gentleman 60
closely this, his companions would not dIscoy-
er the cheat.
Having armed himself With a strong whip,
Ned sci Oh, to surprise the ,fesPassers a, their
work Of darkness. He was not long 10 reach
irr the deacon's orchard and not mary
minutes had elapsed before he had discovered
the ~hereabouis OF his companions.
Four of them were sitting on the grass.
GEAR The fence, and directly under one Of The
finest peach trees on the old man, premises.
They wers enjoying a delightful feast on the
luscious fruit, which enc OF the ,respss-ers
was shaking from The tree he had climbed.
Stolen waters are sweet, and 80 are stolen
peaches, should Judge - multeted Ned iar.
vey, as he crepl s;eallhiy towards his coui-
psnions along by The fence.
lie was soon 5, oesr that he could overheaf
their conversation, and stepped TO isien
"This is what call rich eidedy r. es
claimed Diek, swallowing q ripe, mellow
peach as he spoke
"What delicious rareupes r. whispered
Charley.
ExceIIen' I"
. But not SO COED as the Ike after ell,
sad Bill.
Ia h,r laughed Frank, Who was OF
the tree.
H. ha y echoed Charley. An't II q
rich Ike. 1t tells beautiful ~ on the old man
sliogy disposition"
"And pays up Ned Harvey too " esrlaim
ed Dick. "Oa d.dn'. we give hlm the sl,l
: uice, 7"
J Yes" said BIZ, bu, | IN afraid he'll ex
J. pose US 10 the old descon."
"Neyer fear,' returned Charley. 4" Ne
y Harvey amt The chap to do such a mea
trick as that, But ~ouldn', he be wofke
up, Il he knew how are etjoying ourselve
ID without his precious eempanS
9 " Wouidu't he - chuckled Ned to himseI
q Aud wouldn't ii start The old deacon,
P laughed ID ok. " il any one should tell hi
how we are enjoying ourselves a, bis e,
r pense 7"
DO "Hs ha ha r laughed the whole con
C. Pany.
~ Have you filed the bsgl" demands
ad Ffepk, on the tree.
&c. Yes--and our s,omachs too p
"a "Then I'm coming 1wn 10 have my share
re "No~'s my time" thought Ned.
~! Il is impossible 10 describe the constefn
lion Of bis ifeacherous friepds, as be sprsi
as out upon them. Disturbed so unexpected