Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-12-28

cOntutl OF t6e gehJiaInaD, pIcNlIc MN WIN d
supper, and make ready his apartment, which
last direction caused Mr.. Beg to grin from ear TO
ear.
"uinG, said Dick, 'to putin in the room
vot s get tue trsp-dcor, vich is ther VERY model
Of convenience, and the ccmfortablest roo:n in
ther'uuse.'
Mr.. Beg laughed approvingIy at M.. Hatton's
humorous allusion to the trap-door, and left his
friends to continue their consultation.
my sd7ise' said Dick, Is to run'im own ven
he's unoo,iug, and drop i'm in ther vat; dead men
doesn; tell tales"
Dead men does tell tales, though" interrupted
/ one Of the burglars. lowering his voiot to eu i'm
pressive whisper; "they come up and peach, if its
only to get cove in trouble"
&" l think so, too" chimed in another, who was
known by the soubriquet of Moleca,; " they'll
come up sometimes ven its werty incorwenient and
troublesome, Nonce, ven Tos doing business in
the rad line, in York, we cotched fellow one
night who was VERY lushy. 1t wos a VERY good
haul, an some on was for letting him 60; but
he kept such hollerln' and threatenin' that arter
paIleying lcetle, Rill Hedges gives him knock
on the head vich silenced him. veil, afOre we toss
ed him in the river, Bill tics big rock to his
neck 10 prevent his coming up and breeding lot
O. nasty questions; but the VERY next morning
the spiteful corrse comes ashore without the rock
! aud holding tight onto piece OF Bill Hedges
! jacket, vich wos the means Of conwicting him and
sending him to the gallows."
Mr.. Molecat's record of his personal experience
seemed to make but little impression on his listen
ers, for the main subject under consideration was
| resumed and lively debate sprung up, which
wos however, not participated in by the Tomtit.
That gentleman sat quietly listening to the
various opinions, deigning no other comment than
an occasional nod of his head. It was evident
| that the burglars were unanimously IN favor Of
| instantly destroying the traveller; though they
essentially varied in their proposed plans of oper
! alton.
Mr., Dick Hattoh watched his leaders counten-
ance during the progress, of the conversation, but
| it looked stolidly Indifferent.
Vot's yer opinion, Tomtit7 - he inquired anx-
iously. "Aint yer going to say nothingr
"0f course I am replied Tomtit, planting his
l legs defantly on the table, my opinion is the
opinion that's got to be adopted, and chattering
| Now look here" continued he, fixing his restless
| eyes on the group, you all want to make way
! with this traveller"
That's So" exclaimed tho burglars.
"And ]" continued Tomtit, Oooly, for let
ting him 60"
II would be impossible to describe the effect
produced by this decision The burglars jumped up
and oaths and imprecstions of every description
were showered on their leader.
" say" repeated the chief unnovcd by the
threatening attitude Of his men, he shall go free
not hair Of his head shall be touched; and who
dares object" his stern gray eyes glanced from
burglar to burglar and they involuntarly quailed
oeIoTe thelr denent gleam.
" Now listen, you fools, to my reasons" contin-
ued the Tomtit, angrily, the over-awed villains
shrank back into their seats. You all know
next week we DO heavy job in the wholesale line;
after its done we must keep dark; the Nest is the
only place are safe in, and here must remain
till the matter blows over; but if this man is
missed between that and the Job, therell be such
hue and cry raised that we won't dare to show
our heads; now do you understand"
well, spose run the horse and wagon up
the country, and hitch his clothes by the side Nv
the river, vieh viii look though he crcumwent-
ed hlmseh7 suggested Mr.. Molecat.
The Tomtit shook his head contemptuouslv.
Now, then what would you get for the pains
taking and risk Why, Just carpet-bag, and
may DC few trifes; people amt such tools as
you take them, to so Juggling money round the
country-there would be plenty of questions ask
ed ABOUT the csrPet-bag, and likely enough the
horse nigh: take it into his head to come back
horses amt fools either" observed the TCmtt sar-
castically.
hr Moecat scratched his head, as an expressive
indication that the argument unanswerable, |
nd a short pause ensued.
''Vcl," remarked Dick Hatton, breaking the I
silence, ether TQntit's right, I s'pose, bat i |
does look sorter hard srter the birds cctchec % |
pervent the picking Of TIN. It's mean, that's vot |
it is =
The Tcmtit vouchsefed 40 reply 20 this sullen |
speech, hut lighting fresh cigar he rose. shook !
himself, and called Mr.. Beg into an adjoining |
apartment.
"Where is the man ?" said ho.
On the back room, eating his supper was
that worthys reply; "yOu can peep at aim easy |
enough. for left the door on the swing"
The Tomtit accordingly crept steathily into !
the passage, and getting on his hands and knees,
obtained a very excellent view Of the stranger, |
who was quietly proceeding with his meal Scarce |
ly. however, had the Tomtits restless eye peered
within, than be gave start Of surprise, and re-
treated Immediately.
"Here, Beg" he Whispered, in an excited tone,
as that indiv idual followed him back again to the
private room; "here's n confounded 60. What do !!
you suppose that man is p
Mr. Beg, Of course, intimatcd that he didn't |
know, whereupon the Tomtit, looking around TO |
satisfy himself they were alone, broug ght his hand
in the form Of q trumpet close 10 Mr.. BegS ear, !
and whispered
IT'S Duffy :"
Mr.. Begs face turned deathly pale.
'sWhat" he whispered, "the Detective -
acThe same" reioined the Tomtit, with |
preston plainly denoting his agitation "Who or
what should bring him here alone, neither know |
nor can guess-Bes, keep this from the boys, |
they are savage enough now, but If they should |
find out the truth, couldn't control EN-. They |
would tear this man TO pieces, but, Beg, ttat |
mustn't be; they must be led of; for it would DO |
the worst thing yet to kill him; he would be
missed as sure as preaching"
lis t1lS the one WlC mas pceQ IlNluS - lOhS u /
find our Nest ," inquired Beg.
The very same, replied Tomtit- "f ou know |
the State government has offered reward OF over I
five thousand dollars for the discovery of our |
whereabouts, and this Duffy has been sneaking a
round trying to find US, not so much for the pos
session Of the reward some private aim; ne amt
a regular Detective, or he might be led of; years
age be was on our track. have been watching |
him all along designing TO finish him when a |
good opportunity offered but the wiry scoundrel |
managed to escape me; be may disguise himsen |
as much as be likes, he can't cheat me:
"He's disguised, then ~ said M Beg, amazed !
afresh
oof course he is. that fatness isn't real. h |
thinks he is unknown to me, but III pay him on |
vet" rejoined the Tom tit, with silent impreoa-
ton ON get rid of him, but it mustn't be done
here. Now then, Beg, listen: tetcn me IAN
tern and the key Of the You understand me:
Beg nod led his head, and few on with aiacri-
ty No one entertained greatsr admiration ot
the Tomtit than that gentleman; be regarded hin
with tie same Difference dog would show 10 ms
master and was contented as long as he couia 'esI
fy his servile affection he quickly returned WIN
the lantern and key, and 10 his great suIPIlee
found the burglar chief absorbed in the contem-
plstiou of the miniature OF young girl, seeming
lv some seventeen years Of age, and OF surprising
lcyeliress and heard him mutter ne certainty
Ia, Good cause TO hate ne, but ould havs spared
HIN had he Kept atay from "ths Nes; Nor, h7~-
Cpey. he has rushed uno1 h15 oooW! AHeu UNNoi
ing aware of Beg's presence, the Tomtit hastily
thrust the picture in his bosom and turning 70 the
iuu-keeper, whispered:
''Let me out by the back door, Beg
"All right. was the quie. response
s.Nct word 20 tie boys, mind; if they miss me-
tsltem I've gone 10 bed.
saThe Tomtit, With his parting caution, mace nis
eSit from the door, which NJ. Beg held open, ana
walked rapidly OF.
The faithful custodian @: the Burglars Nest
s.ood for few minutes listening, till the retreat
:; footst,ps Of tie burglar chief had died away IN
tie distance then hc carefully closed and re'ook
cd the door and returned to the ba-, to muse
over the surprising and startling disclosures "hi'n
.le ToIntit had made TO him.
1t was one Of those remarkable ctTcuastsnets
that sometimes happen in real life, that Mr.. pe-
tective Duffy should have unconsciorsiy piunust
ed into the very place he had been searching lor
vsinly the rsst two years. As he sat qn,euy eat.
ing hi. supper he little dreampt that few yarns
eff stood figure which, the mere sight OF, wouiu
havo moved him to absolute frenzy; and wen
i. mght.-fcr there was story connected Wi'n