Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-05-21
MIKE MAHoNEY's RIDE.

Mike Mahoney was an Irishman, every
whit, but then he was a shrewd Trishman,
and obtained more money and cold yictu-
Jas by his wit than by hard labor; in fact.
Nike was determined to make this coun
try what he had been told it was before
he came over the " watherH a place where
a man can live aisy."
1t happened one day that Mike, who
had strayed up into the country, was anx
i lous to reach railroad depot. His legs
were weary and though be had rartaken
of a substantial breakfast from the we'll
spread table of hospitable farmer, the
idea Of travelling sixteen miles by night
fall had little charms for lazy fellow
like him.
Mike had travelled about halfa mile,
when he observed large hand bill post
ed on the signpost; and, tho not much of
a scholar, he managed, after spelling out
the hard words, to read as follows
/ SToLEy.-A man calling himself Will
lin McClafin, hired of the subscriber
grey horse and Concord built wagon for
the purpose Of going TO Kingston and re-
turning the same day, and has not been
heard of since. Said McClafin was
small man pockmarked with scar I'M
der his eye.
That's me-" said Mike, barrin the
scar. and that's aisy made"
Mike logged along to the tavern, and
entering with downcast look took a
seat before the fire.
In q few minutes he heard whispering
among the inmates. and felt that the pros
pect ola ride was not so bad as it might
be.
Soon the landlord entered and wills
pering few minutes, he tapped Mike on
he shoulder. and said
Where's your horse, my good fellow?''
Horse" said Nike. looking up.
Yes, the. horse you hired"
Sure an the owner has him; yo0
, would't accuse an honest Irishman of the
J like of me. of stealing horse, would YEP
You may look like an honest man
but don't you see that's an exact descrip.
ton of your
An what does that say, sure?'
; That you stole horse and wagon"
' Is it me We mane?"
4" Certainly"
Take me out Of this, the blessed ST.
Patrick. and Mike was fast making tracks
for the door, when the landlord stepped
before him.
No you don't, said he, taking Mike
by the collar.
Mike began to shed tears, and tried to
3 soften the heart Of the landlord.
AN sure you wouldn't be the means o.
putin a poor fellow to prison--let me &c
now, hand I'll never darken the doors
again as sures my names"
What?" said the landlord.
"An' what's the name ye read on the
paper?" asked Mike.
It's no matter-I am sure he is the
chap" said the landlord: don't yor
5 think 500" addressing himself to the CROWD
5 who had been gathered in the bar room.
. YES" was the response.
G In less than half an hour the wagon
] was at the door, and Mike was ordered tc
! get aboard.
! Sure you'll give me drop Of the era
thur" said Nike. "afore you take me into
e the cold weather"
e YES" said the landlord, ordering the
2 boy to set out the decanter.
t Here's to the health ofye.' said Mike
"and may the blessed Virgin purtect ye
? from ever bein' in my situation"
The liquor was drank, and Mike and
the landlord started off for the town from
which the horse had been stolen.
During the first part of the journey
= Mike was exceedingly tatiturn. and the
G landlord was little disposed to disturb
5 his meditations. They had proceeded
E some half dozen miles, when Mike
asked :
An what will ye get for this job
5 mister?"
Twenty I've dollars, perhaps replied
e the landlord.
Sure, au' you'll make better business
of it than myself if We get all Of that"
, Yes" said the landlord, IL guess So
Mike relapsed into silence, and after
an hours ride, they halted in front of q
e stable and the landlord sung out to the
proprietor,
''Here's the fellow who stole your horse
and wagon"
This brought out the stable keeper and
his ostlers, aid the former having thrown
, Mixes head back so as to get fair view
Of his face, said
:" This Isn't the man.
Isn't the mani repeated the astouish-
ed landlord.
An didn't tell We so?' said Mike
But it's Inysef that's obliged to ye for
takin' me here, an savin me the trouble
Of journey Q fut. An now" turning
to the stable keeper, IF We tell me the
way to the railroad, it's Mike Mahoney
that'l quick be out Of a country where
honest men are oncivilly treated"
! The road was pointed out TO Mike and
he trudged off at rapid pace. while the
landlord deliberately turned around and
departed amid shower OF laughter, in
~ardly resolved never to arrest man tor
Ehorse stealing again.