Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-06-27
an yntertsting Stag,
MAG DUFRIES:
THE LOST CHILD.
BY FRED. HUNTER.

1t was a wretchedly cold and dismal
night in December, as an officer of the
Partisan police was hurrying along home
ward, after his days duty. The clock
above St. Martin struck nine, and the
sleet was blowing rudely across the pave
ment as the man was crossing a narrow
street that led to the westward, when the
figure of poorly dressed woman, appar.
emily. though tall and masculine for a
female, suddenly stepped in his way, from
around the bleak corner he was passing.
''Berton !" she shouted " is it not Ber-
ton?''
Yes, what now? Quick-for this is
too bad night to stand talking in the
wind, here. Who are you? What is it ??
Here Hook here said the crone
stepping beneath the lamp.
81 can't read any papers tonight y
said Berton God bless us how do
you suppose man can see anything in
the midst of this snow-storm, by gas-light? p
But the woman chung to his coat-cape,
and said, See you can read this-thiS p
and Berton saw by the light above them
that the miserable old woman held in her
withered fingers placard, offering a re-
ward Of one hundred louis for the arrest
of one Silbet, noted house-breaker who
had served three terms at La Force, and
who was supposed to be the scoundrel
who had lately attacked the carriage Of a
Lls.Aai,ff,li- 1f,~tirU rcdtIIH, anu secured
his repeater, a. casket of jewels, and a
large amount of ready money he had in
his vehicle.
well, what of that? I have seen it a
dozen times to-day Go home," said the
officer, and don't stand here, begging
and freezing"
Home :" said the bag, ha, ha! |
don't beg, though, Berton, do you mind.
| haven't come to that, yet Wouldn't
the nabbing of this Silbet please you 2
And wouldn't hundred Napoleons be a
good nights work for deputy, eh ?" con-
tinued the woman.
We'll, and what of it ?" asked the off
81 know where he is" said the old wo-
man, in low whisper; that's all.
And have you got so bad as this
Mag +? The associate of robbers and house
breakers"
Never mind-you don't want the re
ward, and the credit of taking Silbet-
good night" And the crone turned away
But Berton hailed her, as the thought
struck him that good might come of this
though he knew the woman to be an ezra
tic and questionable character
Come, then, Mag" he said, if you're
not lying to me- and really mean to help
serve the demands of justice, tell me where
Silbet is; and you shall have the reward
if he is secured and Gagged through the in
formation you can give. But hasten, fol
it's too cold to stand here, specializing"
'This way, then" replied Mag; and
she turned down the narrow, dark street
beyond. from whence she had so suddenly
emerged as the officer encountered her.
Mag led the way, and Berton followed
closely on, securing his pistols as he went
They travelled half mile, nearly, through
lane after lane, until they came to black
and dingy court at the extreme part OF
the faubourg of St. German Into this
suspicious passage Mag was just about
turning, when the officer (who was not I'M
acquainted with the region he was in, gen.
erally,) halted, and said to his doubtful
conductor:
No, Mag, not there! Not in that den
alone with you, only | wont risk it,"
Il thought you were brave man. Der.
ton" exclaimed the crone. You have
the credit of it. Are you afraid ?"
:" Not there, | say, Mag"
Then you won't find your bird. that'l
all"
$50 be it, then. ! will come here to
morrow, with aid. and you shall have thu
reward, ifyou place no impeachment il
the"
At this moment stealthy footstep wa
heard in the dark, low passage where the,
were standing,a and Berton instantly grasp
ed and cooked his pistol it was to-
late |. A harsh blow upon his head instant
" followed, and the officer fell heavily t.
the pryement, as two stout men seized him
and a third caught the arms Of Mag Duf
ssries. his conductor, making them both pris
9 oners. without the uttering of single syl
liable aloud.
s The officer and his would-be informan
were very unceremoniously dragged bac
into an old building, entirely in the rea
of the court, and while Mag was take
into the room upon the ground floor, tn
insensibie body Of Berton was carried U
ricketty fight Of stairs, and throw
rudely in upon the floor Of the apartment
8f - Did It Settle him ?" asked one of tn
two parties who had assailed him. :
- No, no." replied the other. N
harms done; but he's a little sleepy jus