Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-22

scent-ltt him alone for that But blast me- continued
the gentleman, "that isn't the thing can't spare Crib
why the whole twelve Of wanted for next week.
job and Crib such ocksmith that his services wer,
next to gold but it is just our coniounded luck"
The Tomht, with this brief reference the valuable
qualifications of Mr. Crib, preceded to mix third glas,
of whisky punch and to swallow the same with lool
OF becoming sorrow and resignation.
As he's gone" continued the Tomtit musingly, 81
suppose it's best to try different plan; tell you what
boys, have great mind TO pogpone the visit t) old
Van Checkers for fortnight AZ least till get one
of in way connected with the house. heard the
other day that the old gentleman wanted a coachmau,
and il had somebody 10 psrsOnate one, why it would
be very thng to get him in there and then dou't
you see, there would be no need OF a ocksmith"
"Vy doat goa go, Tomtit; yer would make q rum
coach'e, yer vould?" suggested Dick with grin.
why, "a TO that, suppose might suit the old gen
eman 10 hair" returned the Tomtit complacently
hut have something more important to manage no.
III tell you what boys, Tvs good mind to send Of
you"
"Good' said several voices.
Il know, continued the Tomt "al about tue house
as far that goes for have visited every nook aud
corner my SELF but still Il would be very convenient 10
have somebody let In Crib could have opened the
back door easily but seeing he's Gagged Wen have to give
up getting in that way"
"Hist ~ suddenly exclaimed Mr. Beg describing with
his finger rapid movement in the direction Of the win
dow The burglars started aud pricked up their ears
they distinctly heard the sound Of an approaching
hcle it was just wheeling up before the tavern and Mr.
Beg, who had been sent TO rtconnoTe, quickly returned
report 10 the anxious gang that it only a travel
Ter who had lost his way and wished to stay night
lIes Jolly looking un and has big carpet bag" whis.
pered Mr. Beg
This intelligence caused a momentary excitement; the
burglars started up their fierce eyes sparkling with
ger dght but meeting the gaze OF their chief they sui
lenly resumed their
Ia it VERY comfortable looking bag ." quircd Dick
rubbing hands in expectation Of plunder.
VERY promising looking should say" replied Mr..
Beg, "but hat 81 all do with the owncry'
| Four talow candles brought into the room,
and the burglars held hurried conversation as TO how
they should di,pcse of their visitor; for di
patching him at once, Others were Tor making With
him silently, but prolonged discussion seemed likely
to arise Mr. Brg commissioned TO the pcrso-
nal comfort Of the gentleman provide him with SUPPER
and make ready his apartment which last direction
ed Mr. Beg TO gin from ear TO
'Miud" said Dick, ITO put i'm in the room yots got
the trapdoor vich is ther very model Of consenicnce
aud the comOrtablrst room in ther '"use."
Mr. Beg laughed approVingly at Mr.. HattOn's humor-
Gus ausion TO the apdoor and left his friends
| tiuua their consultation.
my advice said Dick "is to run i'm down ven es
snoo1ng aud drop m in ther vat dead men doesn't tell
| tiles"
dead men does tell tales though interrupted one of
the buGl,rs lowering his voice impressive shsper
'hey come up aud peach, il lis only To get IL
| trouble
II think So too" chimed in another who was known
by the soubrquet of Molclt "hey II come up sometimes
it, VERY inconweuent aud troublesome. Voice
vcs doing business in the pad line, in York. cOched
fellow night who VERY lushy. IL a very
| coed haul an some for letting him 60 Ut
he kept such hoerin aud threatening, that arter pa
leyiug ecc, Bill Hedges gives him knock ga tie
head vch seiced him WE'LL aotc Osscd him in the
river B ties big rock to his neck prevent his com.
Jog up and breeding a lot O. nasty questions; but tie
very next morning the sftclu corpse ashore
without the rock, aud holding tight onto piece OF Bill
| Eedgc-' Jacket, vch the OF conwicng him.
and seudirg him to the galloSs.'
Mr. holcca- record OF his personal experience
ed to make but little impression on his listeners for the
main sui e. under consideration re-animated and
lively debate sprung up which was, however, not parii
| ;ipated in 10y the Tomrit
That gentleman sat quietly listening to the various
al nod of hs head IL was evident that the burglars
were unanimously in favor If instantly destroying the
traveller though they essentially varied in their propos
| ed plars Of operation.
Mr. Dick Ialton watched his leaders couatenancc
during the progress Of the conversation, but il looked
| stolldy Indifferent.
'Yots yer opinion Tomlity' he inquired anxiOusly "
"Aint yer going to say nothing
"Of course | am" replied Tomtit, planting his eg
defantly tie table; my opinion il the opinion that
got be adopted, aud chattering. Now look here,
continued he, x his restless eyes on the group, you
| all want TO make with this traveller
That's So exclaimed the burglars.
"And l." continued Tomtit cOOIy "Am for letting him
60"
Itwoud be impossible to describe the effect produced
by this dec.on. The burglars jumped up and oath
and mprecltons of every description were sho~efed Gn
their leader.
al saw" repeated the chief unmOved by the threaten
ing attlude OF his men, he shall go iree-no hair Of his
head shall be touched and who dares Obecty ii stern.
gray eyes cnccd from burglar to burglar aud they in
| voluntarily pulied before thrir defiant gCam.
'Now listen Won fools TO nv reasons continued the
Tomit angrly the oyerawed villains shrank back in
to their seats "You all know next week we do heavy
Job in the Wholesale line; after ts done must keep
dak; the Nest is the only place safe n and here
We must remain I'LL the matter blows over; but if this
man is missed between that aud the job herel be such
hue and cry raised that We won't dare TO show our
| heads; now do you understand
"Veu, s'pose we run the horse aud wagon up the
country and hitch his clothes by the side the river
vich viii look though he circumwened himself" sug
gesis Mr.. Molecat
| The Tom:t shook his head contemptuously.
"Now, then what would you get for the pains taking
| and I.ky Why, just n carpetbag, and may be feN
riGes; people amt such fools you take them, TO g.
Juggling money around the counry-there would lc
rlenty OF questions asked about the carpctbag, ad
likely enough the horse might take il into his head
come bac-horses amt fools either" observed the To
tt sarcastcally
Mr. Moecat scratched his head, expressive iuii
cation that the argument unauswerable, aud sho
pause ensued.
"Vel" remarked Dick Hatton, breaking the silence,
"the Tom,its right spose but sit does look sorter
hard artrr the birds cotched TO perwent the picking
i'm It's mean, that's vot it is!'
The Tomtit vouchsafed reply to this sulen speec,
but lighting fresh cigar, he rose, shook himself, an
called Mr. Beg in separate apartment.
"Where is the many' said he.
an the back room, eating his supper" was that .oT-
thys repy "you peep at him easy enough for left
the door on the swing"
The Tomtit accordingly crept seathily into the pas
sage aud getting on bis hands aud knees Obtained ve
ry excellent view OF the stranger, who quietly pr'
ceeding with his meal Scarcely, however had the Tom
tits restless eye peered Within than he gave start o.
surprise, and ret Gated immediately.
"Here Beg" he whispered in an excited TONE as that
Individual followed him back again to the private room
"heres a conlound d CO. Who do you suppose that man
/ isl"
Mr. Beg Of course inmated that he didn't know,
uhercupon The Tomtit looking around to satisfy hnso
thew we're alone brought his hand in the form OF trnn
pet close to Mrs. Beg's car, aud whispered;
| "Fs Dgdg"
Mr.. Beg's face turned deadly pale.
"What" he whispered, 'the Detective"
"Ths same" r,oined the Tomtit, With an expression
nls;nIs denotpe his agitation. "Who or what should
bring him here alone, neither know nor guess
Reg keep this from the boys, they savage enough
NOV but If they should find out the truth couldn't cor
troll 'em They would this man 10 pieces, but Beg
that mustn't be- they must be led off, for 1t would 6'
the worst thing yet to kill him he would be missed
sure as preaching .
ia this the who has been trying so long 70 hhu
our Nest?' inquired Beg.
"The very same" replied TOmut. You know the
State government has offered reward OF live thousand
dollars for the discovery of whereabouts, and tn
Duffy has been sneakng around trying to find u.s. not 81"
much for the possession of the reward some private
aim he amt regular Detective, or he might be led c
vsars aoo he MAS on our track have been watching