Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-22
MOSES OkAN;
Or, "The Burglars Nest 4"
BY GEO. CLARENCE BLANCHARD.
CHAPTER l.

traveller dismOunted from his iaded horse ano
entered little hostelry or tavern, situated il
the then widest region of Pennsylvania Tn,
stranger, who was a large, stout-looking man
heavily bearded, paused before the door tha
led into the bar-rOOm, and peeped inquisitive
ly IN; seeing small group sitting around ths
table, be walked very leisurely toward them
introducing himself in frank, easy style
good evening. gentlemen, to you all"
Pie company, who were earnestly engaged
In conVsrsing, hardly noticed his entrance
but when he spoke, they instantly paused and
greeted the newcomer with a look plainly
expressive Of surprise, curiosity, and anger
One OF the party, who had less sinister and
surly face than the rest gravely advanced to-
ward him. esyeing him sharply, as he said:
You wish lodgings, my mani"
Certainly do, Mr. Beg, (who at the men.
ton OF bis own name visibly started;) what
else should l stop here for? There's my pony
wants the slime thing; attend to him first
and in the meanwhile I will make myself al
home"
So saying, the stranger, scarcely heefina
the general scowl which greeted him as he
said this, cOolly lit his cigar, and forthwith
stretched himself in an easy posture in Tim
Beg's favorite armchair, much to the aston.
lshment Of that gentleman, who slowly moved
toward the door, winking silly to his compan-
ions "a he did 50. - ..
The stranger commenced to smoke, eyeing
the company with a nOnchalancs and famii-
iarity that took them completely by surprise
"Not yer doing here for 20 groWled dark
Vlsaged, ugly-loOking scoUndrel, whose pox-
marked face was half obscured by a dirty cap
He rose as he spoke and drew out a sharp
knife.
"Oh, ho.' laughed the stranger, sending
up long spiral column of smoke, and regard
ing the other with half sneer. Don't at
tempt to frighten me; amt your name Dick
Scarcely had he asked the question, before
the whole party sprang instantaneously to their
feet, and confronted him with the rage of ti-
gers-and o more precious crew of cut throat t.
could hardly have been found.
Kill him, kill him '" was the general cry.
Pistols and bovie-kniVes were promiscuously
drawn, and one could see they lOnged to lap
the blood Of the unfortunate man, as they
crowded round their victim. Dick Hatton,
with an ugly grin, interposed
stop, boys, the fellow is safe want to
catachise i'm azores he's made mince-meat of.
Come, now, who are ye?"
During all the tumult occasioned by his re-
mark, the stranger had kept his easy, half
recumbent position, regardless of the men,
aelng group, continuing to smeke with the
most astonishing cOolness, and ewing them all
with sort OF saucy smile that was absolutely
provoking.
Come, now, who are yer repeated Dick
Hstton, tightening his grasp on his bouia-
knife.
The ruhans pressed nearer, a dozen knives
were raised, but still the stranger manifested
not the slightest symptom Of alarm. Careless
Iy diycsting himself Of his beard he proceeded
In the same quiet way to displace black curl
ing wig. In one second more, the gang had
burst into wild halloo, which sent Tim Beg
rushing back.
BLOW my eyes" exclaimed he, letting his
pipe fall from his mouth, in his amazemsnt
why, it's the TomtitI''
Nobody else, replied that individual, who
had not changed his position, but was putting
vigorously at his cigar. You're BRIGHT peo.
pie ali of you, pom my word: now, Beg, see if
you can trOt back to the stable and put my
horse IN better quarters than you at frst in
tended; and hearken lad, tell that spoony of a
wife Of yours to fx up something hot; I'm
blasted hungry. Now then, what are you all
gaping at me for ?" added the Tomtit, survey
ing the group with a derisive smile s'Didn't
know me, when I've cheated you so often /?
Nice fellows 80
The gang indeed looked very foolish, at the
unexpected deuOuement; their weapons were
once more returned to their hiding places and
they stood staring at their chief, scarcely be-
leving their own eyes.
Ther devil 'imself would find it ard to
tell ye," observed Dick, suIkily. s'Vy, Beg,
as knows everybody, with Won eye gets taken
In; but, TOmtit, yots the neWs?"
"NeVer you trouble your head for that, it
will come in good time" replied the Tomtit,
draining gisss Of ale, Ofhcisusly placed be-
fore him. Everything Just as L suspected:
the police were on our track at CANDLES, but
! fXsd EN-" With this brief synopsis of
news, the Tomtit leaned back in his chair,
and continued to smoke in a thoughtful, med
itating manner.
In about fifteen minutes, Mrs. Beg, a port
ly, red-haired lady, announced that supper
was ready, and the gang adjourned to a small
apartment in the rear part Of the building.
where a rude meal was served up; a roast nj Y
forming the principal feature Of the enter.
tainment, which was quickly washed down
with liberal supply Of whisky.
Now, then, said tho Tomtit, after he had
satisfied his hunger, and was stirring the COM
pOnents Of a second glassful of punch; s'now,
then, boys, I'm ready to tell the news. In the
first place, Crib has been cribbed"
What eJaeulsted the gang with one
voice, "Crib nabbed ?" :.
"Cnb is cribbed, and that's the short and
long OF 1t, observed the Tomtit, gicomily
'Once was the time the trade could be carried
on, and none Of rs ran the least bit of a risk:
even Nest wasn't necessary; now the thing
gets every day more dangerous, and the prsfts
/" But what about Crib?'' inquired several
Of the gang, anxiously.
"Crib," continued the TOmtit "acted like
precious fool; / told him all the bows had
lsh but him; but he was 30 blasted confident
he kept tagging, and putting of, till he got
eribbed. He would just close his peppers and
walk into the pit without any one helping him
In; eonfound him, he nearly dragged me with
him"
The company now pressed the Tomtit for
more detailed inform alton, from which il ap-
peAred that that unlucky Individual had in
1ulged in spree, and having boosted pretty
freely Of his achievements in the burglary
line, was incontinently pounced upon BY the
Philadslphia police, who had long been on the
lookout for him
He WON'T peach / 'ope," observed Dick
Hattsn. 1T would be a VERY bad blow-up
arter all the trouble Of 'ouse keeping not say
ing nothing about 'asing no private conw eni.
eness. and place for 10 'ide when ther Wind
blow Ugh"
He amt going to peach" said Mr. Beg,
suthOritatiysly, mot he, know him to be q
bully man" "r...|. EflG Z
So do I, 50 do ~ exclaimed several voices
1t once. ......
AS 70 the matter Of that" ed Tom
tit, hell keep things dark, and maybe set
them on the wrong seent-let him alone for
that. But blast me, continued the gentle
man. that isn't the thing; we can't snars