Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-12-02

= one or your mob ? And seizing the
weapon last used by the muzzle, he hurl-
ed it with all his might and main at
Rockets head. Tom ducked, the pistol
few over the hedge, and my father,
thrown out of balance by bis exertion,
lost his seat, and fell heavily on the grass
by the roadside. In less time than il
takes to say so, Tom dismounted, seized
my father by the collar, and presenting a
pistol within an inch of his face as he lay
bade him be quiet, or it would be the
worse for him.
You've given me deal of trouble,
said Tom, so just hand over your purse
without any more ado, OF by Cd! I'll
send bullet through your skull-just
there ; and he laid the cold muzzle of his
pistol on my fathers forehead just be-
tween his eyes.
It is bad enough to have to look down
the barrel of loaded firearms upon full
cock, with highwayman's finger upon
the trigger; but to have the ceid muzzIe
pressed slowly upon your head-ugh =
/ il makes me creep to think OF it.
/ My father made virtue of necessity,
aud quietly gave up hialpurSe.
1 Much good may it do you he said
for there snly three and sixpence in ii.
Now for your pocket-book,' said Tom
not needing him.
/ Pocket-book 2 inquired my father
turning little pale.
Aye, poeket-book ? Tom repeated
thick black one; it is in the lett hanG
pocket of your riding-coat.'
! Here it Is, said my father, yor
know so much about it that perhaps yot
can tell me what its contents are worth.
IN see,' Tom replied, quietly takins
out and unfolding halfa dozen legal look
ing documents.
They are law papers-not worth /,
rush to you or any one else,' said N,
father.
Then Tom replied, I may tea
them up and he made as though h
would do so.
Hold on your life? my fathe
shouted, struggling hard, bu, in vain t
rise,
oh! then they are worth something
then said Tom, with a grin.
q 1t would take a deal of trouble t
make them cut again. my father reptile
: sulkily,-' that's all
4 How much trouble? Tom inquire,
: with meaning look.
+ Well my father answered, I SUI
- pose 1 know what you are driving at
Hand me them back and let me 90, an
| promise to send you hundred pounC
when and where you wish
You know very well that these p;
. pers are worth more than hundred sa
Tom.
:, a hundred and fifty, theD,' said n
father.
/ Go on, said Tom.
: i tell you what it Is, you scoundre
,s cried my father, stake five hundr,
a against them if you'll lose your hold, al
A. fight me fairly for it,
70 Tom only chuckled.
70 Why what a ninny You must take 4
=, for he said why should l bother m
&c selffghting for what I even get withou
-, You're a cur, that's what you ar
.. my father shouthed in fury.
- Don't be cross, said Tom, it do
L. become you to look red in the face.
=. Now, attend to me- he continued in
no altered tone, . do you see that bridge ?
NO Well, there's heap of stones in cent
isn't there? Very good. If you =
~ place five hundred guineas in gold, il
- bag; amongst those stones at tweI
.,b o'clock at night this day week, you sh
ad find your pocket-book and all its conte
is- in the same place two hours allerwarC
vs How am Ito know that you viii ke
The your word my father replied, lit
seftened by the hope Of regaining, e1
at so heavy q price, the papers that "
invaluable to him.
'Tm Tom Rocket replied the robt
ns, securing the Pocket-book upon his pers
-or and what 1 mean, say; and what
say. 1 stick to. Now, get up, and mil
ne added as my father sprang to his f
led my pistols don't miss fire.
md shall live to see you hanged,
In father mutsered, adjusting bis disorde
mt dress,
the Shall help you 70 catch your hort
,sv Tom asked politely.
"a IN never rest till l lodge you N j
arm said my father, sayagely.
the Give my compliments 10 yonr "