The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-12-23
and quietly gave up his purse.

''Pocket book:' inquired my father
turning little pale.
"Aye, pocket book" Tom repeated; ga
thick black one; it is in the left hand pock-
ct Of your riding coat"
''Here it is, said my father; "you know
so much about it that perhaps you can
tell what its contents are WORTH
I'G see,' Tom replied, quickly taking
out and unfolding half dozen legal look
ing documents.
They are law papers-not worth a
rush to you or any one else, said my IA
ther.
Then Tom replied, Il may tear them
up; and he made as though he would do
so.
Hold! on your life!' shouted my father,
struggling hard, but in vain, to rise.
oh, they are worth something, then,
said Tom with grin.
1t would take deal of trouble to make
them out again. my father replied sulkily;
that's ALL
How much trouble?' Tom inquired,
with meaning look.
well, my father answered, 4 suppose |
know what you are driving at. Hand me
them back, and let me go, and promise
to send you hundred pounds when and
where you please
you know very well that these papers
are worth more than hundred pounds,
said Tom.
"A hundred and fifty, them said my ia
! ther
| 60 on said Tom.
I'Il tel! you what it is, cried my father;
'I'll stake five hundred against them if
you'll loose your hold and fight me fairly
for it.
Tom only chuckled.
'Why, what ninny you must take me
for he said; why should | bother myself
fighting for what can get without
You're a cur, that's what you are
my father shouted in fury.
Don't be cross, said Tom; it don't be-
come you to look SO 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 well, if you will place five
hundred g'lineas in gold, in bag, amongst
those stones, at Il o'clock at night this
day week, you shall find your pocket book
and all its contents in the same place two
! l~...~ Oft nrurorAs
Ilow am to know that you will keep
your word! my father replied, little sof-
tened at the hope of regaining, even at so
heavy price, the papers that were inval-
liable to him.
Pm Tom Rocket replied the roboer
securing the pocket book upon his person;
what l mean | say, and what l say stick
to. Now get up; and mind he added, as
my father sprang to his feet, my pistols
don't miss fire.
4 shall live to see you hanged my fa-
ther muttered, adjusting his disordered
dress.
Shall I help you catch your horse?
Tom asked, politely.
'Fll never rest till lodge you in jail
said my father savagely.
Give my compliments to your wife,
said Tom, mounting his horse.
'Confound your impudence,' howled my
father.
Good night said Tom, wi til waive of
his hand, and, turning short round, he
jumped bis horse over the fence, and was
out of sight in moment.
1t was not quite fair ofmy father, Unjust
own but he determined to set trap for
Tom Rocket, baited with the five hundred
guineas, at the bridge. lie posted up to
| London, saw Bradshaw, a famous Bow
street runner, and arranged that lie aud
his men should come down and help to
catch Tom; but just at the last moment,
Bradshaw was detained on some import
ant government trial, and SO another run
ner, Frazer, a no less celebrated officer,
took his place.
It was settled, and the runners should
come by different roads, and all meet at a
wayside inn, about five miles from the
bridge, at eight o'clock 2. NJ, on the day
my fathers pocket-book was to be return
ed. An hour afterwards they were to join
him on the road three fields further on
Their object, you see, in taking this round
about course, was to battle Toms spies
and accomplices, and to get securely hid
about the appointed spot long before the
appointed time.
My father was little late at the place
of meeting, but, when he arrived there, he
could see no one about except a loutish
looking countryman in smock frock, who
was swinging on gate hard by.
6" Good night, MASTER" said the yokel.
"Good night to you,' said my father.
"Can you tell Inc who this yer letters
for?" said the yokel, producing folded
paper.
Ny father saw in moment that it was
his own letter to Bradshaw.
Where did you get thatH he said
quickly.
'Ah,' replied the yokel, replacing it in
his pocket, that I'd be tellins. BE yer
expecting anybody?'
What's that to you!' said my father.
ooh, nought,' said the yokel, only a
gentleman from London
la" cried my father, what gentle
manY
Would name beginning with f. sui
you:' asked the yokel.
'FrazerF The word fell Involuntary
|, from my fathers lips.
That's the name,' replied he yokel
jumping down from his seat, and chang
ing his tone and manner in moment