Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-04-07
THE IRIsHMAN,s srRATAGRn.


THE IRIsHMAN,s srRATAGRH,
Mike MAhoney MAS an IrilhmAn. sYory
whit, but then he WAs . shrsWd Irish.
man, and obtained more money aud cold
yictuRls by his wit than by hard labor. In
fact Mike was determined 10 mako this
country what he had been told 1t was be-
ioTe he csmO over the "..wather," place
where a man could "liye aisy."
II happened ono day that Mike, who
had straycd up into tho country. was
anxious to roadH a railroad. Sonot IIi.
logs wero woary, aud though no had pars
taken Of substantial breakfast fro.n the
well-sprOad table Of a hospitable fartnSr,
the idea Of travelling miles before night.
fall, had little charms for = lazy fellow
like him. WY
Mike had travelled shout half q mile,
when he observed largo handbill posted
on tho sign.post and, though not much
of q SehOlAF, he managed. alter spelling
the hard words, TO read as follows:
SroLRS.-A man calling himself VII.
liam MoC ClStin, hired Of tho subscriber,
gray horse and Concord built wagon, for
the purpose of going to Kingston and re.
turn tho samO day, but has not boen heard
from since. Said No ClRffin was a'small
man, poCk-mArkSd, with soar undor his
eye.
That's mo-" said MikO, "barrin' the
soar, and that's aisy made"
Mike logged along to the tavern. and
entering with down cast look. took seat
before thu fire.
In fOw minutes Tho heard a whisper.
ing among tho inmates, and fOlt tho pros.
peot for ride was not so bad as Il might
Soon tho landlord ontcrcd, and altor
whispering fcw moments, he tapped
Mike on the shoulder and said
4" Whoro's your horse. my good fOllowS"
Horse" said Mike, looking up.
"yes, the horse you hired"
Sure, an the ownOr has him ye
wouldn't accuse An honest IFishman of
the likes Of me, Of sIaling horse, would
yO?"
"You may look like an honest man,
but don't you soc that's an exact dosorip.
ton of you 2"
"And what does that say, suro p"
"That you stOlo horse and wagon"
:" Is it mo, yo mGnO?"
d" Certainly"
e. Take me out Of this, by the blessed
St. Patrick" aud Mike was fast making
tracks for the door, when the landlord
stepped bOiore him. l
mo you DON'T" said he, taking Mike
by tho collar,
Mike began 10 shod tsArs, and tried TO
soften the heart Of the landlord
"An' sure ye wouldn't bO tho mahes OF
putin poor follow to prison--lct mo 20
now, and I'll nivor dArkcn the doors Of
yer house again, ~ suro ~ my nAmo's-"
"WhAt?" asked tho landlord.
"An' what was tho namO yc road on
the paper ?" asked Mike.
cts no mRtter-pm sure he's tho
chap" said tho landlord "don't you
think sol" addressing himself to the
crowd who had gathered 10 the bar-roOm.
"YOu," was the response.
In less than half an hour tho landlords
team Was at tho door, and Mike was or.
dered TO get aboard.
"Sure yen give mo drop Of she
crathur," said Mike, Aforo yo take mo
out into Ihc cold woather."
Yes" said tho landlord, ordering his
boy TO sct out the dccanter.
"IIore's to the health OF yO," said
Mike, "An' may the blessed Virgin pur.
tect 20. and save ye from iTcr bcln' In my
siliYAtiOn."
The liquor was drank. aud Mto Asd
the landlord started of for the town from
which the horse had been stolsn.
N During the first part Of the journey,
Nike was exceedingly tAoiturn, and ths
landlord was not disposed 70 disturb his
moditasiOns. They had proceeded somS
half dozen miles when nike askod--
| AN what will ye got for this Job. mis-.
teri"
Twenty-Five dollars, perhaps. replied
the landlord. M
Sure, an yen make better ibusiness
Of 1t than msselE il ye got that"
Yes, said the landlord, " guess co."
Mike rslSpSed into silence, and after an
hours ride, they halted in front Of
stable, and the landlord sung out 70 the
proprietor
" Here's the fellow that stole your
horse and wagon" M eiil'
This brought out the keeper and
his osilors, and the former having thrown
Mikes hOad back so Is 70 get fair view
Of his face, said
This isn't she man."
Isn't the man ?" repeated the aston.
ishcd landlord.
"AB' didn't tell ye 80 2" said Miko.--
BuEit's meself that's Obliged to 70 for
takiH' me here, an sayin' me tlie thf0ublo
Of weary journey on fnt. An now,s
turning to the stable.keeper, "ifye'll tell
me the way 70 the FalerOad, it's Mike
MshOney that'lI quick be out ofa country
where honest men are Onciyally trated.
The road was pointed ,Out 70 Mike, and
he trudged OF at rapid pace, while tho
landlord, deliberately turning bis team
I around hnnarfnh ARID : aI,1iif ~ lnsla,l,