The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-29
CHAPTER /.


Aered little hostelry. or tavern, situated in the
NAen widest region Of Pennsylvania. The stranger
who was a large, stout-looking man, heavily
bearded paused before the door which led into
the barroom and peeped inqnistively in; seeing
O small group sitting around the table, b. walked
very eisurely toward them, introducing himself in
. frank easy style.
"a good evening, gentlemen, to you ALL"
The company, who were earnestly engaged III
eQnyersing, hardy noticed his entrance, but when
M spoke, they instantly paused and greeted the
newcomer with lo TX plainly expressive OF sur
Prise, curiosity a. anger. One Of the party,
Tao had a less sinister and suriy face than the
Fst gravey a. auceu toward him, cycling him
E&arply, a. he sid:
cYou wish 10 xings my MANI
"Certainly do, Mr.. Beg (who at the mention OF
his own name visibly started); what else should
stop here for! There's my pony wants the same
Naing; attend 10 him first, and in the meanwhile
Wal make myself at home"
80 saying the stranger, scarcely needing the
acneral scowl which greeted MIN "a he said this,
soolly liz his segar and forthwith stretched him.
self in ON easy posture in Tim Begs favorite arm
chair much to the astonisl,Eent of that gentle
man, who slowly novel = ward the door, winkins
slyly TO his companion s nc did so.
The stranger commence to smoke, cycling the
company with a nonchalance and familiarity that
took them completely BY surprise.
"Vot yer doing here forn' growled dark
visaged, ugly looking scoundrel, whose pox-
marked face was half obscured by dirty cap.
He rose a. he spoke. and drew out sharp knife.
"Oh ho.'' laughed the stranger, sending up
bong spiral column Of smoke, and regarding the
other with half sheer. Don attempt to irigatcn
me- amt your name Dick Hatton!"
scarcely had he asked the question before the
whole party sprang instantaneousy TO their feet,
and confronted him with the rage of tigers-a more
precious crew OF cut-throats could hardly have been
found
Kill him kin hila!r was the general cry. Pis-
tolls and bowie knives were promiscuous!y drawn,
and one could see they loRged 10 lap the blood III
the unfortunate man, they crowded round
their victim. Dick liatton, with an ugly grin, in
''stop, boys; the fellow j. safe. WANT to ca.a.
ohse i'm afore he's mace nincemeat Of. Come.
now, who are ye!'
During an the tumrlt occasoned by hts remark,
Che stranger had kept his easy, half recumbent po-
stion regardless OF the meDacng group, contnu-
rng 10 smoke with the most astonishing coolness,
and eyeing them all with sort of saucy smile that
Come. now. who arr ye?" repeated nck Hat
Ion, tightening his grasp on his bowie knife.
The rufla,,- pressed nearer, dozen kayes were
raised. but -u the stranger manifested not the
slightest symptom Of aarn. Carelessiy dSestng
himself = his beard, b. proceeded N the same
quiet way 20 dispace a black curling WIG. In one
second more the gang had burst into Wild halioo,
which synt Ern Beg rushing back.
"Bl0w my cycS.n exclaimed he, letting his pipe
fell from his mouth IN his alnazcment. why, rs
the Tomtitl"
Nobody else, replied that individual, who lad
not changed hs position, but was pu"iag WOO
rously az his segar. You're bright people all If
you, pom my word; now, Beg, see Il you can trot
back TO the stable aud put my hor . IA better
quarters than you al first intended; aud hearksn,
iad, tell that spoony of wife Of yours q nix up
something hot fm blasted hungry. Now then,
what are you all gaping a. me for! aid d the
Tomtt surveying the group with derisivo snilc.
didn't know me when I've cheated y3t 20 oiten'
Nice fellows.n
The gang indeed looked rery foolish. at the un-
expected denouement; the.r weapons were once
more turned To their hiding places and they stood
ssarins At their chief, scarcely believing their own
eyes.
'.Ther devil 'im-elf would ind Il ard TO tell ye.
observed Dick, sukly. Wy, Beg, a. knows
everybody Wit von eye, gets taken in; but, Tom
- volts the news!
Never Won trouble your head fcr that IL will
seme in good time" replied romtt, draining a
glass % ale, ofciously placed before him
"E,erything lusf a. I suspected; the police were
GA our track a. Gamble =, but fixed en-" With
this brief synopsis Of news the Tomtt leaned back
n his chair, AMI continued 10 sinoke in thought
fal, medtatng manner. - $50
Ia about fifteen minute. Mr.. pes. . por,ly. red
haired lady, announced that supper was ready.
and the gang adjourned 10 a small apartment in
the rear part of the building. where rude peal
was .tryed up; roast pig frrmed the principal
Stature OF the entertainment. -b.ch was quickly
washed down with q liberal apply OF whlskey.
New them said the Tu.ntit, after he had salts
aed hi. hunger, aud A. surting the cosnponeni-
OF a second glas-fnl o. punch; now, then, boys.
I'm rcaiy - tell ne news. In thc first place, CRIB
ha@ beca crObed.'
What" calculated the gang with one voice
"Crih nabbedyi
"Crib i cgibbed, and that's The .hor; aud long
cf<tp observed tn TomEt glooaily. "Olce
wa pnc time the trhte could be carried on, AID
none o. a. ran the least bit Of r-ki even .
Nest wasn't necessary; now the ihing gets
avery day more dangerous. aad The fronts gsss
smaller
but whst about Cribg" inquired several q tho
gang an .oH~ly.
Chr ,ontinaea the Tomlit. "ae,ed ike pre-.
sioss IDOL. told him MI the boys hal ei bGt nm.
but he waS % blasted c0uhdelt NJ kspt a-Sh;
and putting of, TIL h. got cribb.d ~ would ld-t
slo-e ~ peppers sni walk into the PIT s,shout
any ole helping him N: c0lf0nnd him, n nearly
dragged me with him.
Tho company now lsoSsel the Tomtt for rsorc
actacd inform atom, from which il apprarr that
chat Gnlucky individual he'd indllgcd spree
aua having boa-ted pretty freely OF hls achieve.
ments Ia the burglary line, was iaconunently
bounced upon by tn Philadelphia poucc, " no had
bong boon ~ She lookout for him.
~ he Won't neach 'ope," observed Dick Nat
ton. II wound be very bad biowup srtcr all
the trouble OF housekeeping. not laying lotaing
sbont aving no private conwenisnre-, AMI place
fr to lido wien Their Wind bows 'i-h.v
" He aslt going 10 pcsch 'Nid Mr.. beg, autho- |
rtatveiy, mot h.; 4 know him TO b. a bully |
man"
50 10 7, 20 40 ~ excla.nea several voices at
oAee.
SAa 70 the matter Of Wat remarked Tom,it.
:. he'll keep things DARK, AM 'aay Be- sct "a a on
he wrong . Mt u him alone TT that Bat blasi
me- continued the gentleman, uist i-nt the
thing W. cant spare CRIB way the whole twelve
vi - ars wanted for next weeks Job. anj Cab
was such lJcksnith tLat hi- services we're ne 10
o. gold; b.. h Y Just Our contoupier luck
The ro4,t vita this br II feferen,c g. "a va
Mab,e a. Nii ,asions Vt Nc. Crib, pr0ceedet -
mix bird rlsss of whskcy punch, AMI ~ swat
low tn same With look u becoming sorrow sud
resignation.
she's gone. !" continued the Tomtit mudnty,
npose - best 10 try different pla1; tel
yOa @hat, boys, hare gfest mimi to postpoa,
She visit 20 od Van Checkers for 4 fottaish' ny
least w O. ~ get az Va ia soma way COD
nected with the house; heard the other day that
the old gentleman wanted colca uan, and II had !
somebody 70 Persqaate Qne, Why IL wogid be .