The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-26
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
a CHRISTMAS STORY.
nr cnaRlrs plekESs.

nupAu<rfNIS OF MAt3uaNl. tuu psPts
places to wheel and springs, but dangerous
"A a still more alarming degree from the out
RACES and rohberies to which travellers We're
exposed, Mems minds were unsettled by the
incidents of the war on which we ilad just
entered :--commerc was interrupted, cfeoH
Was ~ end. and distress began to be dtscove
red among whole classes of the population
who had hitherto lived in comfort. However
harshlv the law was admisterred, IL seemeuto
have no ,errors for the evil.doer, and indeed
IN, undiscerning cruelty of thestatute book
.5af,stn5 It's own object by Furnishing all
,.r;noes alike. But, q time of pecuniary pres
sure i moi a bad season for bank. Inc
horse aourishetl, though the country was in
rreat straits: and the enormous prohts at that
s,mn realized by banhers-which enabled
them "a purchase large estates and outshlne
tha old territorial ariStocraey-madet the pro-
tession us unpopular among the higher class
rs rs /. had already become among the I'M
reasoning masses. BY them banker was
looked upon rs asort OF licensed torSet' Wno
created enormous sums OF money by merely
.igning square pieces OF tlimsy paper; and 1
am nersuatled the robbery of bank, would
have been considered by many people quite
"a ,ner;torious m action as the dispersal OF
hsna nf coiners. These, however, were not
a. sentiments of us bankers clerks. We felt
thst we belonyedto mighty corporation, on
whose good will depended the prosperity OF
halfthe farms in the country. we consider.
ed ourselves the executive government ana
carried on the business OF the once Win a
pride aud dignity thatWould nave ntleo us LOT
Sneretaries of State We used even TO walk
tbe streets with a braggadocia air, rs il cur
rockets were loaded with gold; and 1.-two of
I,s hired a eigfor country excursion, we pre-
tended to look under the driving seat as II TO
ss. th, safety of uncomfortable amounts Of
moneys ostcntatiously examining our pistols,
4, shay that we were determined to defend
nurtreasure or die. Not seldom these precau-
lions were requiredinreaEty for when pres
sure for gold occurred among our customers,
two oil tue most courageous OF the clerks
were despatched with the required amount,
in strong leathern bags deposited under the
seat of the gig, which bags they were to guard
at the risk OF their lives. Whether from the
bodily strength | was gifted with, OF from
some idea that was not given to Boosting, |
might really possess the necessary amount OF
boldness | do not know, but was often Sc
Iected as one OF the guards 70 q valubie cargo
of this description; and as ifto show an I'M
partiaiity between the most silent and the
most talkative of their servants, the part
ners united with Inc in this service the most
clustering, boastful good hearted and loud
voiced young gentleman have ever known.
lou nave niOSt Vi NOu IiSttAN Va tALC
NOUS electioneering orator, Tom Ruddle-
who stood at every vacancy for county and
borough, and passed his whole lite between
the elections, in canYassing for himself or
friends. Tom Rudd!e was my fellow clerk,
and generally the companion OF my drives
in charge of treasure.
.What would you do | said to Tom, "in
ease we are attacked =
Tell We what" said Tom, with whom that
was ftvorite way OF beginning almost every
sentence, Tell ye what! L II shoot en-
through tie head
Then you expect there viii be more than
one?'
Il should think So said Tom; "ifthere
was was only one, | d jump out Of the gig and
give him precious licking. Tell ye what
'Fwould be proper punishment Tor lis I'M
pertinence.
And if half dozen should try it r
''.5hoot 'eT al
Never was there such determined caste.
der as the gallant ON kuddle.
One cold December evening we were sud
denly sent off, i'll charge OF three bags Of coin,
To be delivered into customers hands within
ten OF twelve miles of the town. The clear
frosty sky was eXhilarating, our courage was
excited by the speed of the motion, the digni-
ty of our responsible office, and pair of
horse pistols which lay across the apron
Tell We what !" said Tom, taking up one
of the pistols and Jas afterwards fOundj full
cooking it, Il should rather like to meet a
few robbers. | would serve them as | did
those three disbanded soldiers
GLOW was that 2
oh! it's as WELL said Tom. pretending to
grow very serious, ''to say nothing aboutthese
unfortunate accidents. Blood is trightful
thing on the conscience, and bullet through
fellow head is disdgreeable sight; but
tell we what Id do it again. Fellows who
risk their lives must take their chance, my
bow"
And here Tom put the other pistol on full
cock and looked audaci0usly on both sides
of the road, as if daring the lurking nurde-
rers to come forth and receive the reward of
their crimes. As to the story of the soldiers,
and the fearful insiuuations of a bloody deed
executed on one or all, it Was prOdigious
rhOdomontade-tor Tom was such tender.
hearted individual that if he had shot kit
ten, ii would Have made him unhappy for
week. But, TO hear himtalk, you wouidhave
taken him for civic Richard the Third, one
who had ''neither pity, love nor fear" His
whiSkers also were very terociOus, and sur-
SestlVe OF battle, Baurder and ruin So. he
went on playing with his pistol, and giving
himself out for an Implying executioner OF
vengeance on the guilty, until we reached
the Small town where one OF our Customers
resided, and it was necessary for one of US TO
carry one OF the bags to rs destination Tom
undertook this task. As the village at which
4he remaining parcels were to be delivered
was only mile further or, he determined TO
walk across the fields, and join nae after he
had executed his commission. lie looked
carefully at the printing of his piskoi, stuck It
ostentatiousiy III the outside breast pocket OF
his great coat and with stately step. march
ed oil with the heavy money bag ia his hand.
pat The whip 70 ths horse, and frosted 1ner
rily forward thinking nothing whatever of
robbery or danger, in spite OF the anonitorv
conversation OF Tom Ruddle
Our first customer resided at the oYt Iyirts
of the village farmer VINO required a con.
siderable amount in gold. Ipulled w at the
narrow dark entrance OF the lane that led mn
to his house; and, as my absence could'n ut
be for more than a few minutes, l Left the Gig,
and Proceeded up the lane with my golden
treasure. / delivered il into the hands OF its
owner, and, manfully resisting all his hospi-
table invitations, took my leave and walk
ed rapidly towards the gig. As drew near
| perceived in the clear starlight q man
mounted ON the step, and cropping under
the seat. / ran forward, and the man alarm
ed by my approach, rapidly raised himself
from his STOPPING position, and, presenting
pistol, fred it SO close to my eyes that the
flash blinded me for moment; the action
xvae an sudden and my surprise SO great that