Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-17

shortest possible time. He drank SO much
that the landlords big jug was at last ex-
haustcd, and he lighted a candle to 90 down
into the cellar to draw more ale. Hardly had
the landlord reached the bottom of the cellar
steps before the door was quietly locked be-
hind him.
Mr.. ChOOp's apathy vanished in moment.
His eyes flashed, his teeth glistened, he look
ed dangerous "Go you into the garden" he
whispered to me, ''and take your stand below
the window on the left. If Jim Riley jumps
though don't think he'll have timc-lay
hold of him and stick to him till comc-
Now, Tim, quick and silent!" Mr.. Choop
and Timothy, each pulling out an ugly look
ing staff, crept up stairs as stcalthily as two
burghars, while l hastcncd into the garden
\ mingled noise of shouting and oaths,
crowned by woman's wild shrek, the crash
of a falling table, and then the window was
up, and Mr.. Darkc dashed madly through
followed closely by Mr. Choop. They came
to the ground almost together, and rolled
in fierce struggle But Mr.. Darkc, twice ms
strong as his opponent, was uppcrmost, sitting
astrdc of Mr.. Choop Only for one moment,
for the next my arms were round his neck
strength. ChoOp, now on his feet, whipped
VNS AAo hUhNSuits>t anu AIuu 4'AIs IhC SdlC
fast before that individual could recover his
breath.
At this moment Timothy appeared, escort
ing Mrs. Riley, as suppose She ought to be
called; and carrying, with much care, the
small black portmantcaI. Mr.. Choop opened
it and perceived it to be hulf full of watch.
es, rings, pins and jcwelry of various kinds
The wOman's veil, now thrown back, showed
me the midnight traveller, minus the mus:ache
a bold, forward looking, good.fcaturcd, wo-
man, bearing her misfortune with naughty
indifference that excited Timothy's admira.
ton.
The landlord, kicking at his cellar door,
and calling to be let out long before this, was
released by Timothy, and very blank he look.
cd when he beheld how his guests had sud-
denly come to grief. By Mr.. ChOop's orders
ne brought out his horse and q light cart, and
We drove bnck, k,-throngh the darkening after.
noon to Fulwood
Through Mr.. Choop's indcfatigablc cxer-
tons, the whole Of the gang of burglars was
speedily captured One of them turned
Queens evidence; and it then came out that
Mr.. Riley was the planncr Of the burglarics
in which they had all been engaged for some
time back; it being his duty to pick out the
premises to be robbed, to make plans of them,
and arrange the details of the attack, leaving
to others the merely mechanical part of the
business, and receiving certain share OF the
proceeds for his part of the labor.
Three days after Christmas day received
a note from Mr.. Lancaster, asking me TO 20
over to IrOnville, as he wished particularly to
see me. He received me in his grave, quiet
way, looked me through and through from un-
der his bushy gray eyebrows, mOtiOned me
to q scat and then spoke:
III received yesterday morning from Mr..
Choop an account Of certain events relative
to the recent burglary ON my premises"
"Thc burglary on your premises, sir?"
Yes Were you not aware of itl"
81 was, of course, aware that q robbery
had been committed, but was not aware that
you were the sufferer"
"Such, however, is the case," replied Mr..
Lancaster. "Mr. Choop informs INC that it
was through you he first obtained the clue
which enabled him to track and capture part
Of the gang, and recover q portion of the stO-
len property, and that he was much indebted
to your courage and activity in the capture of
Riley. Now, am not an ungratefll man
you have long had liking for my daughter,
which, believe, is returned by her; but you
are not in position to marry. Twill tell you
what Ill do for you. I'll take you as an as
sistant in my shop, at moderate salary, and
if find that You bring into your new trade
that amount ofintclligencc and activity which
| am told you possess, will advance you ac-
cordingly; and, providing you and Cary re-
main in the same mind another year, will not
object to your marriage. Let me have your
decision in the morning You will find Cary
in the parlor."
Ineed hardly say that both Cary and I
are very glad to see Mr.. ChOop whenever he
favors us with call in our new home, and
brings news Of Lemoniingers, who, now that
Mr.. Riley is working out his penal servitude,
is doing we'll MS licensed hawker in the no
sicry and Nottingham line.