Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-08
JOURNAL AND BUSINESS DIRECToRYs AIM TO AMsE 10 STRU

over the hedge. and my father, thrown
out of balance byg his exertion, lost his
!, seat and fell heavily on the grass by the
roadside In less time than it takes to
say so, Tom dismeunted, seized my father
by the collar, and presenting pistol
within an inch of his face. babe him be
quiet. or it would be worse for him.
You've given me deal of trouble,
said Tom, so Just hand over your purse
without any more ado, or by Cd I'll
send bullet through your skull-just
there )" and he laid the cold mu1Sle Of
his pistol on my fathers forehead just be.
tween his eyes.
1t is bad enough to have to look down
I the barrel of loaded firearms upon full
cock, with highwayman finger upon
the trigger; but to have the cold muzzle
pressed slowly upon your head-ugh =
1 it makes one creep to think of it.
My father made virtue of necessity
and quietly gave up his purse.
Much good may it do you," he said
9 for there's only three and sixpence in
It,"
Now for youf pocket book" said Tom,
not needing hiin.
Pocket book p inquired my father,
turning little pale.
Aye pocket book !" Tom repeated.
a thick black onej it is In the left hand
pocket Of your riding coat" e.a
Here it Is" said my father, "you
know so much about it, that perhaps you
can tell what its contents are worth"
I'll see said Tom, quietly taking out
and unfolding ha.f dozen legal looking
documents.
They are law papnts-not worth a
rush to you OF any one else," said my
father.
Then Tom replied, Il may tear
them up" aud lie made as though lie
would do SO.
Hold! on your life !" my father shout.
ed. struggling hard, but in vain, to rise.
"Oh, they are worth something, then"
said Tom, with a grin.
1t would take a deal of trouble to
make them oht again." my father replied
sulkily "that's ALL"
How mitch trouble?" Tom inquired,
with meaning look.
WE'LL" my father ANSWERED, " / sup
pose know what you are driving at
Hand me them back and let me 60, and
promise to seud you hundred pounds
when and where you please"
You know very we'll that these pa.
pers are worth more than hundred, /"
said Tom.
"A hundred and fifty, them" said my
f.ther.
go on" said Tom.
Z" ] tell you what it is, you scoundrel,"
cried my father, Ill stake Eve hundred
against them, if you will loose your hold
and fight me fairly for it,
Tom only chuckled.
Why, what nnny you must take
me fur,' he said; why should bother
myself fighting for what can get with
out?'
You're a cur, that's what you afe,'
my father shouted in fury.
Don't be cross" said Tom, it don't
become you to look red in the face Now
attend to me" he continued in an altered
tone, do You see that bridge? Well /
there's heap of stones in the centre.
isn't there! Very good /; if you will
place five hundred guineas in gold; in
bag, amongst those stones, at twelve
o'clock at night, this day week. you shall
find your pocket book and all its con.
tents in the same place two hours after
wards"
How am to know that you will keep
your word" my father replied, little
softened by the hope of regaihing, even
at so heavy a price, the papers that were
invaluable to him.
I'm Tom Rocket" replied the rob
Der, securing the pocket book upon his
person, and what | mean | say, and
what | say l stick to. Now get up, and
mind" he added, as my father sprang to
his feet, my pistols don't miss fire.
| shall live to see you hanged" my
father muttered, adjusting his disordered
dress.
Shall / help you to catch your horse?"
Tom asked politely.
an never rest till lodge you in jail, !"
sad mp father savagely.
Give my compliments to your wife"
said Tom, mounting his horse.
Confound your impudenoe," howled
my father.
Good night" said Tom. with wave
of his hand, and turning short round, he
jumped his horse over the fence aud was
out Of sight in a moment.
1t was not quite fair of my father
must own, but he determined to set
trap for Tom Rocket, baited with five
hundred guineas, at the bridge. He
posted up TO London, saw Bradshaw, a
famous Bow street runner; and arranged
that he and his men should come down
and help TO catch Tom; but just at the
last moment Bradshaw was detained upon
some important government trial, and 50
another runner, Fraser, a no less cele
brated officer took his place.
1t was settled that the runners should
come by different roads, ard all meet at
a way-sde inn, about 5 miles from the
bridge, at eight o'clock, P. NJ, Oh the