Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-01-04


that fascination which such scene holds
the youngsters, as from his impressible
anxiety to hear the old stories and legends
] with the recital of which they generally
pass the night.
In this way, provided against the gau-
i ger-indeed much better than our readers
are yet aware of, as they shallunderstand
by and by-did George, Mickey, and
their friends, proceed for the greater part
of the winter without a single visit from
Pentland Several successful runnings
had come off, which had of course turned
out highly profitable, and they were just
now preparing to commence their last.
not only for the reason, but the last they
should ever work together, as George was
making preparations to go early in the
| spring to America. Even this running
was going on to their satisfaction. and the
| singlings had been thrown again into the
still, from the worm of which projected
the strong medicinal first shot rs the dou
bling commenced-tht last term meaning
the spirit in its pure ana finished state
| On this occasion the two worthless were
more than ordinary anxious, and certain
| ly doubled their usual precautions against
a surprise, for they knew that Pentland's
visits resembled the,pounces of hawk or
the springs Of tiger more than anything
else to which they could compare them.-
When the doubling was about half finish.
ed, he made his appearance, attended by
a strong party of reluctant soldiers-for
indeed tits due to the military to state
they never took delight in harrassing the
country people at the command of heg-
hunter as they generally nicknnmed the
gauger. 1t had been arranged that the
vidette at the iron plate should whistle a
particular tune the moment that the gau
| ger or a red.coat, or in fact any person
whom he did not know should appear
Accordingly, about eight o'clock in :he
morning they heard the little fellow in his
highest key whistling up that we'll known
and very significant old Irish air called
-" Gro to the devil am shake yourself''-
which in this case was applied to the
gauger in anything but an allegory sense"
{" Be the pins" which was Georges
usual OATH q" be the pins, Mickey, it's
over with us-Pentlands here, for there's
the sign"
Mickey paused for moment and lis
tened very gravely /; then squirting out a
Tobacco spittle. " Take it aisy," said
hills. any one rs like this as your right
hand is to your left. didn't spare trou
bic, for knew that it we'd get over this
day, we'd be out of his power"
I" Well, my good lad" said Pentland.
addressing the vidette, what is this FIRE
for ?' H
f" What is it for, is it ?"
Yes; if you don't let me know in
stantly, I'll blow your brains out, and get
you hanged and transported afterwards"
This he said with laundering voice,
| cooking horse pistol at the same time.
Why, sir" said the boy, "it's watch
in a still am but be the hole O. my
coat, if you tell upon me, it's broilin up
on these Goals IN be soon.'
Where is the still then ? An the still
house, where is it 90
"Oh, begorra. as to where the still or
still-house is, they wouldn't tell me
that"
"Why. sirrah, didn't you say this mo-
ment you were watching n still %
:" meant sir" replied the lad with
face that spoke of idiocity' "Uhat it was the
gauger was waJchin' an l was to whis-
tie upon my fingers to let the boy at the
fire on the hill know that he was comm"
Who told you to do so %
Little George, sir, and Mickey
McQuade."
cay, ay. right enough there, my lad
two of the most notorious schemers un-
hanged, they arc both. But now, like a
good boy, tell me the truth, and I'll give
you the price of a pair of shoes. Do you
know where the sIilI-house is Because
| if you do an won't tell me, here are the
I soldiers at hand to make prisoner of
I you, and if they do, all the world can't
prevent you from being hanged, drawn
and quartered."
go, bad cess may seize the marsel O.
me knows that, butif you'll give me the
money, sir. I'll tell you who can bring
! you to it, for he tould me yesterday NOR
MIN that he knew, an offered TO bring
me there last night, if I'd steal him
bottle that my mother keeps the holy
water in at home, tai he'd put whiskey in
| it.''
"WelI, my lad. who was this boy 90
DO you know Harry Nell, sir 90
I" l do, my good boy"
"Well, it's son of his, sir; do you
see the moke farthest up to the right,
sir ga
"To the right I? Yes
! "weI, It's there, sir. that Darby Nell
is watching; and he says he knows"
g How long have you been watching
here 90
/ This Is only the third day, sir, for
me; but the rest of them boys above,
have been here good while
Have you seen nobody stirring about
the hills since you came 90
"onIy once, sir, yesterday 1 seen two
men having an empty sack or two, runnin'
across the bin there above"
J At this moment. the military came up.