Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-12-22
MOSES ORAN {;
MUSES. OkAN /;
OR
THE BURGLARS NEST. "
BYGEo. CLARENCE BLANCHARD.
CHAPTERI. I.
THE NEST OF THE ToMTtT.


Near the close of cold day in October,
q traveller dislnounted f1om his iaded
horse. and entered a little hoIsterv or tav-
ern. situated in the then widest region
of Pennsylvania. The stranger. who was
a large, stout-looking man, heavily beard
ed, paused before the door that led into
the bar-room, and peeped inquisitivcly in {;
seeing a small group sitting around the
table, he walked u, very leiSurely toward
them, introducing himself in frank, easy
style.
ga good evening, gentlemen, to you
ALL"
The company, who were earnestly en-
gagged in conversing. hardly noticed his
entrance, but when he spoke they Instant
~ paused and greeted the newcomer with
II look plainly expressive of surprise, curi-
osity and anger. One of the party, who
had Il less sinister and surIy face than the
rest, gravcly advanced toward him, eycinc
him sharply as he said:
You wish lodgings, my mani"
"Ccrtninly I do, Mr.. Beg (who at the
mention of his own name visibIy started)
what else should stop here for? There's.
my pony wantz the same thing; attend to
MIN first, and in the meanwhile | will
make myself at home"
SO saying, the stranger, scarcely heed
ing the general scowl which greeted him
as he said this, cody lit his cigar, aud
forthwith stretched himself in an easy
posture in Tim Begs flvorite arm-cheir,
much to the astonishment of that gentle
man, who slowly moved toward the door,
winking silly MS he did So
The stranger commenced to smoke,
eyeing the company with nonchalance
and familiarity that took them completely
by surprise.
"Vot yer doing here for?" growlcd
dark visaged, ugly looking scoundreI. whose
poX-markcd fnCe was half obscured by
dirty cap. He rose as he spoke, and drew.
out II sharp knife.
"Oh, ho!' laughed the stranger, sending
up long spiral column of smoke, and re-
g"rding the other with IA halfsuccr. sDon't
attempt to frighten me; 0int yonr name
Dick uatton q
Scarcely had he asked the question, be-
fore the whole party sprang instantaneous
ly to their feet, aud confronted him with
The rage of tigers-and II more precious
crew OF cut-throats could hardly have been
found.
'Kill him! kill hint! was the general
cry. Pistols and bowie-knives were pro-
miscuously drawn, aud one could see they
longcd to lap the blood of the unfortunate
man, as they crowded round their victim.
Dick H"tton, with an ugly grin, intcrposed
"Stop, boys. the fellow is safe. ! want
to catachise 'im afore he's made mncc-
meat OF. Come, now, who are ye?"
During all the tumult occAsioncd by his
remark, the stranger had kept his easy,
hnlf-rccumbent position, regardless of the
menacing group, continuing to smoke with
the most astonishing GOODNESS, and eyeing
them all with a sort of snucy smile that
was absolutely provoking
Come, now, who are yc?" repeated
Dick Hutton, Tightening his grasp on his
bowic-knfe.
The rutfians pressed nearer, n dozen
knives were raised, but still the stranger
manifested not the slightest symptom of
alarm. CarcleSsly divesting himself of
his beard, he proceeded in the same quiet
way to displace black curling wig. In
one second more, the gang had burst into
wild halloo, which sent Tim beg rush
ing back.
elbow my eyes !" exclaimed he, letting
his pipe fall from his mouth, IN his amaze
ment "Why, it's the Tomlit!"
"Nobody elsc," replied that individual,
who had not cl"ngcd his position, but
was putting vigorously ut his cigar
You're bright people all of you, 'pon my
''S"f SSS IL ' Oh Citu LEOb UstCh
to the stuhle, aud put my horse in better
quarters than you ut lirSt intended and
hcarken, lad, tell that spoony of wife of
yours to fix up something hot Pm blasted
hungry Now then, what are yon all gap
ing ut me tor?" added the Tomtit, survey
ing the group with derisive smile
didn't know me, when I've cheated you
so often? Nice fellowsr'
The gnng indeed looked very foolish, ut
the unexpected denoucment; their weap.
0ns were once more returned to their hid
ing places, and. they stood staring Mt their
chief, scarcely believing their own eyes.
"Ther devil 'imself would find it 'ard to
tell yc," observed Dick, suIkily "Vy,
Beg, as knows everybo body with one eye,
gets taken in; but, Tomtit, vot's the
news? 2"
'Never you trouble your head for that,
1T will come in good time" replied the
Fomtit, draining glass of ale, offciously
placed before him. "Everything just as l
suspected; the police were on our track
brief synopsis of news, the Tomtit leaned
back in his chair, and continued to smoke
in thoughtful, meditating manner.
In about fifteen minutes, Mrs. Beg, n
portly, rcd haired lady, announced that
supper was ready, and the gang adjourned
to a small apartment in the rear of the
building, where rude meal was served
up; roast pig forming the principal fea-
turc of the entertainment, which was
quickly washed down with liberal sup
ply of whisky.
Nov, then" said Tomtit, afterhe had
satisfied his hunger, and was stirring the
compnents of a second gIassfuI of punch;
'now, then, boys, am. ready to tell the
news. In the first place, Crib has been
cribbed"
"whotl" CALCULATED the gang with one
voice, "Crib nabbed?"
.cribb's nabbed, and that's the short
and long of it," observed Tomtit gloomiIy.
"Once was the time the trade could be
carried on, and none of us ran the least
bit of risk; even Nest wasn't necessary,
now IL e thing gets every day more dan
gerous, and the profits grow smaller"