Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-08

Returned. An hour afterwards they wer,
to join him on the road three miles furth
err on. Their object, you see. in taking
! this roundabout course was to battle Tom'
spies and accomplices, and to get secure
/ ly hid about the appointed spot long be
lore the appointed time.
My father vas little late at the place
of meeting but when he Arrived there
/ he could see no one about except lout
ish looking countrylnan, in smock frock
who was swinging on gate hard by.
Good noight, MASTER" said tht
yokel. 's'
T" Good night to you," replied ny
father.
Can you tell me who this yer letter.
for n said the yokeIi producing folded
paper.
My father saw in moment it was hi'
own letter to Bradshaw.
Where did you get that?" he sale
quickly. M @4
"Ah" replied the yokel, replacing it
in his pocket, that nd be tellins. Be
yer expecting anybody y
What's That to you p said my father
oh, nought," said the yoel, only q
gentleman from London"
Ha r cried my father, what gentle
man 2" aa4 aafs
will name beginning with F suit
you 2" asked the yokel.
Fraser 7" The word fell invoIuntar.
lily from my fathers lips.
That's the name," replied the yokel,
| jumping down from his seat, and chang.
| ing his tone and manner in q nome It.
I'm Fraser, sir, and you're Mr.. Sandi.
ger, as has been robbed of pocket book
contairing valuable papers, and we're
going to catch Tom Rocket, as has got
lit 4 thai 'sroas sg;a4aes sir. AL rigas cir !;
aud now to business"
But where are your men - tiiy faith
err inquired, when Fraser had explained
the reason for his disguise
All right again. sir they will join
US. We have not much time to lose, so
please lead the way.
So my father led the way, followed by
Fraser. and by the time they came in
sight Of the bridge they had been joined
by four London officers, in different dis
guises and from different directions
One appeared as tramp, one as ped.
dler, another as gentleman's servant
leading horse, and the forth as a sold
Ter. No one could have guessed that
they had met before, much less that they
were engaged in a preconcerted scheme.
My father gave Fraser great credit for
the dexterous way in which he had col
loected his forces.
The bridge upon which the money was
to be placed, consisted of two arches
across the river, and was joined on either
side by loug sort of causeway, built
upon piles over meadows, that in the win
ter were generally covered with water.
1t SO happened that the very next morn.
ing after the robbery heavy rain set in,
and soon the foods were oft SO that there
was no way of getting on the bridge. but
by going along the causeway, which ex.
tended a distance of a hundred yards,
sloping down gradually to the road on
each side of the river. This causeway
was built of wood. At some places the
timbers were covered with earth and
stouGs, but at Others the roadway had
worn out, so that any one locking up
from underneath could see who was pass
ing overhead. MFR. Fraser's sharp eve
took in the position in moment. He
got two hurdles out of field close by,
with some rope that he had brought for
another purpose fastened them to the
piles so that they hung like shelves be.
tween the roadway and the food, one at
eaca end of the bridge, and about twenty
yards from it. This was his plan two of
his men were to be hidden on each hurds
le whilst he and my father, in boat
that was concealed beneath the main
arch Of the bridge, unseen themselves,
could watch the heap of stones where the
money was to be placed, and the stolen
pocket book left in exchange for it. As
soon as Tom Rocket o. any of his friends
removed the bag in which the gold was
packed. Fraser was to whistle, and his
men were to jump ftotn their hiding
places; and secure whoever it might be.
L he leaped over the caseway and took
to the water. there was the boat In which
to follow and capture him.
Mr.. Fraser was very particular to
practice his allies in sptinging quickly
from theft place of concealment; and i'm
pressing upon them aad my father the
necessity of all acting together, keeping
careful watch and strict silence. And
now; sir, said he to my father, as a dis
tant clock chlmed quarter to twelve,
= it Is time to 60 to our places and to
bait the trap, so please hand me the bag,
that may mark it and some of The coins,
so as to be able to identity them at the
trial." He made up his mind you see,
to nail master Tom this time.
My father gave him the bag, saw him
write upon it, and make some scratches
on about dozen of the guineas, and then
my father let himself down into the boat,
in which he was Immediately joined by
the runner.
" It's all right said Fraser in low