Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-22

the direction of the window. The burglars
started and pricked up their ears as they dis
timely heard the sound OF an approaching We
hicle il was just wheeling up before the tav.
ern, and Mr.. Beg, whe had been sent to re.
connoitre, quickly returned to report to the
anxious gang that it was only traveller who
had lost his way and wished to stay over
night. Hes ajolly looking I'm and has big
carpet bag" whispered Mr.. Beg.
This intelligence caused momentary ex-
citemet the burglars started up, their fierce
eyes sparkling with eager delight, hut meet
ing the eyes OF their chief they sulleniy resum.
ed their seats
is ita VERY comfortable looking bag 2"
inquired Dick, rubbing his hands in eXpecta.
ton OF plumber
Very promising looking should say" re,
piled Mr. Beg, "but what shall do with the
owner %
Four talow candles were now brought into
the room, and the burglars held hurried
conversation as to how they should dispose of
their visitor some were for dispatching him
at once, others were for ma ling away with
him silently, but as prolonged discussion
seemed likely to arise, Mr.. Beg was commits
stoned 10 to the personal comfort Of the
gentleman, provide him with supper, and
make ready his apartment, which last direc
ton cause Mr.. Beg to grin from ear to ear.
"Mind, said Dick, "to put i'm in the room
volts got the trap door, vich is Their VERY model
of convenience, and the comfortablest room in
Their 'ouse
Mr.. Beg laughed approvingly at Mr.. Hat
tons hmorouuS alusion to the lrapdoor, and
left his friends to continue their meditation.
My advice, said Dick, "is tn run i'm down
ven he's snoozing, and drop i'm in ther vat !;
dead men doesn't tell tales"
Dead men does tell tales, though" inter.
rupted one of the burglars, lowering his voice
to an impressive whisper; they come up
and peach, if it's only TO get a cove in
trouble"
81 think so, too" chimed in another, who
was known by the sobriquet of Molecat;
| "they'Il come up sometimes ven its VERY in
wenent and troublesome. Vonce, ven | wos
| doing business in the pad line, in York, we
cotched fellow one night who wos very
lushy. 1t woS a VERY good haul, an some
on us wos for letting him go but he kept
such a hoilern' and threatening, that, arter
parleying a leetle, Bill Hedges gives him
knock on the head vich sienced him veil,
afore we tossed him in the river Bill ties
big rock to his neck to prevent his coming up
and breeding lot O nasty questions; but
the VERY next morning the spitetul corpse
comes ashore without the rock, and holding
tight onto piece of Bill Hedges jacket, vich
was the means of convincing him and sending
him to the galows."
Mr.. Molecat's record OF his personal expe-
Renee seemed to make but little impression on
his listeners, for the main subject under con-
sideration was resumed, and a lively debate
sprung up, which was, however, not partici-
pated i'll by the Tomtit
That gentleman sat quietly listening to the
various opinions deigning no other comment
than all occasional nod OF his head. 1t was
oyi1opt hot fIo
favor of instantly destroying the traveller;
though they essentially varied in their pro-
posed plans Of operation.
MIR. Dick Hatton watched his leaders coun-
tenance during the progress Of the CONVERSE
ton, but it looked stolidiy indifferent.
''Vot's yer opinion, Tomtit?" he inquired,
anXiousIy. "An't yer going to say nothing 2"
cot course l am, replied TOmtit, planting
his legs detiantly on the table: my opinion
is the opinion that's got to he adopted, and
No chattering Now look here!' continued
he, fixing his restless eyes on the group,
"you all want to make way with this trav-
eler 2"
That's so" exclaimed the burglars.
"And l" continued Tomtit, coolly, "am for
letting him go"
1t would be impossible to describe the effect
produced by this decision The burglars
jumped up, and oaths and imprecatuns OF
every description were snUwereu ON their
leader.
81 say" repeated the chief, unmoved 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 invountarily quailed before their
defiant CLEAN
"NOw listen, you fools, TO my reasons" con.
tlnued the Tomtlt, angrily, as the overawed
villains shrank back into their seals you
all know next week we do heavy job in the
wholesale line after it's done we must keep
|, dark the Nest Is the only place we are safe
in, and here must remain till the matter blows
over; but, if this man is missed, between that
and the JOB there'll be such a hue and cry
raised that we won't dare to show our heads :;
now do you understand 2"
"Nell, s'pOSe we run the horse and wagon
up the country, and hitch his clothes by the
side NV the river, vich will look as though he
circumwented himself?" suggested Mr. Mole
cat.
The Tomtit shook his head contemptuously
"Now, then, what would you get for the
pains taking and risk Why, Just a CARPET
bag, and maybe a trifes people aint such
fools as you take them, Juggling money round
the country-there would be plenty OF ques-
tons asked about the carpet-bag, and likely
enough the horse might take it into his head
10 come back-horses ant fools either" Oh.
served the Tomtit, sarcasticaly.
Mr. Molecat scratched his head, as an ex-
pressive indication that the argument was un-
answerable, and a short pause ensued
"Vell, remarked Dick Hatton, breaking the
silence, ether fomtitt's right s'pose, but it
does look sorter hard arter the birds cotched
to perwent the sticking Of i'm. It's mean, that's
vot it is !"
The Tomtit vouchsafed no reply to this sui.
len speech, but lighting fresh cigar he rose
shook himself, and called Mr.. Beg into all ad-
joining apartment.
"Where is the man 2" said he.
"Iu the back room, eating his supper" was
that wortkys reply lyon can peep at him
easy enough, for left the door on the swing"
The Tomtit accordingly crept stealthily in.
to the passage, and getting on his hands ard
knees, obtained a very excellent view of the
stranger, who was quietly proceeding with
his meal. Scarcely, however had the Tom.
TITS restless eye peered within, than he gave
start OF surprise. and returned Immediately.
Here, Beg" he whispered, in an excited
tone, as that individual followed him back
again to the private room "here's confound.
ed 90. Who do you suppose that man is 2"
Mr.. Begs, OF course, intimated that he did
not know, whereupon the Tomtit, looking
around to satisfy himself they were alone,
brought his hand in the form of trumpet
close to Mr.. Beg's ear and whispered -
ITS Dgfy!"
MIR, Beg's face turned deathly pale.
"What, he whispered, "the Detective 2"
"The same" rejoned the Tomtt, with an
expression plainly denoting his agitation.
"Who or what should bring him here alone,
neither know or can guess-Beg, keep this
from the boys, they are savage enough now
but if they should find out the truth, couldn't
coutrol 'em. They would tear this man to