Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-11-09

uttdluCu upOu oOue lIupOrtaQG government
| trial, and so another runner, Frazer, a no
less celebrated officer, took his place
1t was settled that the runners should come
by different roads, and all meet at way
side nm about five miles from the bridge, at
eight o'clock P. M. on the day my fathers
pocket-book was to be returned An hour
afterwards they were to join him on the road
three miles further on. Their object, you
see, in taking this roundabout course was to
battle Toms spies and accomplces, and to get ]
securely hid about the appointed place long
before ths appointed time.
Ny fathor was little late at the place of
meeting; but wiicn he arrived there he could
see no one about, except a loutish- looking
countryman in ock-frock, who was
| swinging on gate hard by.
'sGoodnoight, MASTER" said the Yokel.
Good night to you," replied my faith
'sCan ye tell me who this yer letters
for.'' said the yokel, producing folded
paper
My father in moment that it was his
| own letter to Bradshaw.
"Where did you get that?" he asked
quickly.
''Ah !'' replied the yokel, replacing it in
his pocket, ''that I'D be telling. Be yer ex-
pecting anybody?"
Whats that to your" replied my faith
er.
"Oh' nough," said yokel, "only gentle
man from London"
''Ha-p' cried my father; what gentle
man p
"Will name beginning with F: suit your"
asked the yoke.
from my fathers lips.
fba - raplia1 tha volya1
jumping down from his seat, and changing
his tone and manner in a moment. I'm
Fraser, sir; and you're Mr. Sandger, as has
been robbed of pocket-book containing val
liable papers; and we're going to catch Tom
Rocket as has got it-thats our game, sir.
All right, ST; and now to business"
but where are your men?" my father
asked when Fraser had explained the reason
for his disguise.
..All rig ght again, sir" said the runcer,
'.they will join us. We have not much time
to lose, so please to lead the way"
SO my father led the way, followed by
Fraser; and by the time that they came in
sight of the bridge, they had been Joined by
four London officers in different disguises,
and from different directions. One appeared
as tramp. one pedler another gem
tlemans servant leading horse, and the
| d
sed that they had met before, much less that
they were engaged together in a pre-concsrt-r
ed scheme. My father gave Fraser great
credit for the dexterous way in which he had
collected 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 long
sort of causeway, built upon piles over mead
ows, that in the winter time were generally
p covered with water. 1t so happened. that
the very next morning after the robbery, a
heavy rain set H. and soon the floods were
out, so that there was no way of getting on
, the bridge but by going along the causeway,
, which extended distance of hundred
yards, sloping down gradually to the river.
This causeway was built of wood. At some
, places the timbers were covered with earth
and stones, but at others the roadway had
: wornout and they were bare, so that any one
looking up from underneath, could who
was passing overhead. Mr.. Fraser's sharp
. eye took in the position in moment. He
got two hurdles out of a field close by, aid
t with some rope, that he had brought for an
other purpose fastened them to the piles, so
that they hung like shelves between the road
e way and the food one at each side of the
f bridge, and about 20 yards from it. This
was his plan; two of his men were to be hid
y den on each hurdle, whilst he and my faith
err 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 poe
a et-book left in exchange for it. AS soon as
= Tom Rocket, or any of his friends, removed
i the bag in which the gold was placed Fra
s ser was to whistle, and his men were to climt
u from their hiding pIaces and secure whoever
| = ,.b1 H. he fha
, of the csuseway, and took to the water there
. was the boat in which to follow and captur,
: him.
o Mr.. Fraser was very particular to practice
/ his allies in springing quickly from thei
places Of concealment, and impressed upol
:. them and my father the necessity of all act
}, ing together, keeping careful watch and strc
I silence. And now, sir" he said to m
a father as distant clock chlmed quarter o.
Is twelve, so, come to get to our places and t
bait the trap; please to hand me the bag tina
A. l may mark it, and some of the coins so as
S. able to identify them at the trial. He ha
p made up his mind you see to nail Mr.. Tor
Rocket this time.
y My father gave him the bag. saw hil
write uyon it, and max some scratches on a
d bout dozen of the guineas. and then m
father let himself down in the boat, in whic
y he was immediately joined by the runne
..Its all right" said Fraser. in low ton
of DO you think be will GOMEZ? whispered m
p father.
of Certain, replied Fraser, but hush, v
must not talk, sir. times up
Ist For three mortal hours did my father sit
or that boat, and the runners lay stretched O.
ed on the broad. of their backs upon those hurdl
to watching for Tom Rocket to come for h
.es money; and for tn rec mortal hours not 80
en- approached the h-idge. not sound but b