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

the gold wos packed, Fraser was to
whistle, and his men were to climb from
their hiding places, and secure whoever
il might be. II he leaped over the rail-
ing of the eauseway, and took to the
water, there was the boat in which to
follow him.
Mr.. Fraser was very particular to
practice bis allies in springing quickly
from their place Of concrainent ana im-
pressing upon them and my father the
necessity of all acting together, keeping
careful watch and strict silence. And
now, sir he said to my father as dis
tant clock chimed a quarter to twelve, it
is time TO get our places and to bait the
trap, so please to hand me the bag that !
may mark ii, and some of the coins, so a.
to be able to identity the trial He had
made up his mind, you see, to nail mas
ter Tom this time.
My father gave him the bag, saw him
write upon il, 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 a low
tone.
DO you think he will come? whisp-
cred nv father.
Certain, replied Fraser, but, hush
we must not talk, sir, times up
For three mortal hours did my father
sit in that boat, and the runners lay
stretched out on the broad of their backs
upon those hurdles waiting for Tom
Rocket to come for his money; and for
three mortal house not q soul approached
the bridge, not a sound but the wash o.
the swollen river was heard. By the
time that the clock struck three, my
father who had been nodding for the las
/ twenty minutes, fell fast asleep, as he sa
covered up in his cloak, for it was bit
ter cold night; but was very speedily
aroused by hearing Fraser cry out tina
they were adrift.
Adrift they were, sure enough. Thr
rope that held them had been chafr,
against the sharp corner of a pile 6,
/ Mr.. Fraser explained } till it broke, AM
away went the boat, whirIing round ant
round in the eddies of the river, fit 1
make any one giddy. So strong was tn
stream, that they were carried a mile an
half down it, before they could &c
ashore. My father was for returnin
directly to the bridge, and so was Fraser
but somehow or other, they lost eac
other in the dark and when my fathe
arrived there, having run nearly all tn
way, he found, to his great surprise, ths
the officers had left. He rushed to th
= heap of stones, and there the first thin
that caught his eye was his pocket-book-
the money s0as gone!
? Lord, how he did swear,
= Determining to have it out with II
r runners for deserting their posts, he hu
i ried on to the inn where they had me
:. and were to pass the night. He knock.
:, at the door. No answer. He knockt
2 again, louder. No answer. He was n
o in the very best of humor, as you ms
j guess so he gave the door big kick
q In it flew and sight met bis view ih
J fairly took away his breath. Tied in
Z five chairs, hand and foot, trussed
u like so many Christmas turkeys, WI
five gags in their mouths, and their Fl
pair OF eyes glaring at him owiishly, S
the real Mr.. Fraser and his four b,
street runners. Tom Rocket had ma
aged the business at the bridge himse
How he managed to get scent Of the pl
and to seize the officers, all together, j.
at the nick Of time, my father never cot
find out. and no one knows to this day.
o.. Upon examining his pocket-book, I
:, father found all his documents: and
!, paper on which was written these woru
= by destroying these writings / COZ
have ruined you. In doing 50 | shol
~ have iniure your client, whom re-ps
be For his sake ! keep my word, thou
nd you ha e played me false.
a. Tom ROGET
~ Here Mr.. Josh paused, and smoked
a some time IN silence.
. And what became Of Tom ? asl
one Of the company.
~ Well replied Mr.. Josh, aftee b
- ing been tried three times, and getting
"A upon some law quibble on each occas
4 he-who had robbed the worth
h. thousands Of pounds. and escaped
md executed at Nottingham for stealing
,as old bride
i'd G. 4 friend al our elbow says II
my Il q rrsad not tvvo miles froun here N