Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-01
CHAPTER X.
Ben Burko'. Strange Advonlurs.

CHAPTER Y.
Ben Burke. Strange Adventure. ...
Take pull, Roger, and pass tn,
the flask" was the cordial prescription
of Ben Burke, intended to cure a deat
silence generated equally Of eager ap
petites and sell-accusing consciences
so saying, he produced quart wick
er-boitle, which enshrined. according
to his testimony, summit short, thu
right stuff. singing strong, that hat
never seen the face of wishy- wash,
'ciseman." But Roger touched j
sparingly. for the vaunted nectar posi-
lively burnt his swallow; ill Ben
pulling at il heartily himself, by way
of giving moral precept the full ben
fit of good example. taught Roger
not 10 be afraid OF il and so the flask
was drained.
Undersuch communicative influence,
Acton's tale Of sorrows and oppres-
sions, we may readily believe, was
soon made known; and rs readily, that
il moved Ben's indignant and gigan-
tic sympathies to an extent Of impre'
cation on the eyes. timbers. and psy.
chologic,l existence OF Mr.. Jennings,
very little edifying. One thing, how
ever. made amends for the license oI
his tongue; the evident sincerity and
warmth, with which his coarse but
kindly nature protfered instant aid,
both offensive and defensive. Z"
"It's a black and burning shame,
Honest Roger. and right shall have
his own, somehow. while Big Ben
has a heart in the old place. and a
hand to help his friend" And the
poachor having dealt his own broad
breast blow that would have knocked
a tailor down, stretched out TO Ac-
ton the huge hand thathad Indicted it.
"More than that, Roger, ,-hark TO
this mani" and, ms he slapped his
breeches pocket, there was the chink
as Of mine OF money shaken TO It's
foundations: "hark TO this. mani and
more than hak. have: here, good
wife hold your apron" And he flung
into her lap n handful o. silver!
Roger gave sudden shout of
wonder, JOY and ayarice: and then
as instantaneously turning very pale,
he slowly muttered, Hush, Benl IS
il bloody money! and almos; shrek
ed as he added. land my poor boy
Tom too, with you'll God.a-meTcy,
munl how came ye by iLg'
"Honestly, neighbor. leastways.
niddling honest: don't damp q good
fellows heart. when he means TO serve
you"
"Tell me only that my boy is inno-
the money.-yes. yes, I'll
keep the moucy:" for his wife seem
ed to be pushing It from her at the
thought.
"Iinnocent, father? Inever know'd
till this minute that Ben had any blunt
ut ll,--dId |, Ben?--and / only brour
him and Rover here TO sup, because
| thought il ncighborly and kindlike."
Poor Tom had til now been very
silent: somehow the pheasants lay
heavy on his stomach. ea
"Is IL true, Ben. is it true? the lad
isn'ta thief. the lad isn't murderer
Oh Godl Burke, tell me truth"
"Blockheadl" was the courtcousre-
ply, "what. not believe your own son?
Why, neighbor Acton. look at the
boy: would that frank.iaced, open.
hearted fellow do worse, think you,
than Black Burke? And would |,
bad MS I be, turn the blocdy villain
to take .sman's life? no, neighbor,
Ben kills game, not keepers: he sets
his wire for n hare. but wouldn't go
10 pick n dead mans pocket An
that's wrong in me. nun. the game.
laws put there; but I'm neither bur-
glar, murderer, highwayfnan. no, nor
4 mean sncaking thief; however the
quality may think so. and even wish
10 drive me 70 H. Neither, being us
be no rogue, could | bear 10 live a
fool; but ] should be one, ncighbor.
aud dub myself one TOO, If | didn't
stoop to pick up money that's mOdman
Ilings away"
Madman? pick up moneyYtell us
how II was. Ben. kinterpcsed female
Well. ncighgors. listen: was a.set.
ting my night. lines round Pike Island
wonder, more nor a fortnight back; il
was n dark night and mizzling, or
morning rather. 'twixt three aud four;
by the same token, I'd caught a pow
er Of cells. AL ut once, whilst was
fixing q trimmer, punt came quietly
up: as for me. Roger. you know al.
ways wades it through the muddy
shallow: well. listens. and chap
creeps ashore.---a mad chap, with
never title to his head, nora sole to
his feet,-and when | sings out TO
him to nx his business, the lunatic
sprung at me ike tiger | didn't
wish to hurt little weak wretch like
him. specially being past all sense,
poornat'ral. so 1shook him of at once.
and held him out IN this here vice"
Ben's grasp could have crncked any
cccoa-nut He trembled like wick.
ed thing; and when ! peercd close into
bis face, blow me but l thought I'd
hooked white devil, mo one ever
see such a face il was horrible to look
at. What aic you arter, mum? says |:
burying dead baby9 says |. Give
US hold here. e.--l' m blest if don't
see though what you've got buckled
up there. With that, the little white
fool,-it' sartin he was mad,-all on
sudden flings at my head aprecious
hard bundle, gives horrid howl,
Jumps into Tho punt. and off again.