Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-22
MOSES ORAN
or,
"THE =" BURGLARS NEST"
CHAPTER I.
by eEo. CLARENCE BLANCHARD.
THE NEsT oF TnE TONTlT.

THE NEST oF rnE TONTIT
Near the close of cold day in October, a Traveller
dsmountcd from his jIded horse, and entered little
hosiery or tavern situated in the then widest region OF
Pennsylvania. The stranger, who large, stout
looking man, heavily bearded paused before the door
that led into the bar-room, and pceped nquisilivey IN
seeing small group sitting around the table, he walked
very isnrely toward them, introducing. himself in a
frank easy style.
"A A good evening, gentlemen, TO you ALL"
The company, who earnestly engaged in conver-
pg RsES nSssd G n Sp wGS ef
lock pair TSP'sc~s Of surrso, curiosity aun Hrgrr'
One OF the party who had les, sinister aud sury face
than the rest gravey advanced toward him. eyeins him
sharply, as he sail
:" You wish lodgings my man?'
Certainly dc, Mr. Beg, (who at the mention of his
own name visibly staried what else should stop here
for There's my pony wants the same thing; attend to
him FIRST and in the meanwhile will make myself at
home"
So SAYING the stranger scarcely needing the general
scow which greeted him he said this, cooy lie his
cigar aud forthwith stretched himself in an easy pos
ture in Tim Beg flvorte armchair much TO the aston
ishmcnt Of that gentleman, who slowly moved toward
the door, winkug sly to his companions as he did So
The stranger commenced to smoke, ey,ng thP COM
pany with nonchalance aud familiarity that took them
completely by surprise.
"Vot yer dong here for?" growled darkvisaged,
ugylooking scoundre whose pox marked face was bali
obscured by dirty cap. lie rose as he spoke aud drew
out a sharp knife.
ooh, hot" laughed the stranger, sending up long
spiral column of smoke and gardng the other with
half sneer. "DOa't attempt 10 trighen me- amt your
name Dick Hattony"
Scarcely had he asked the question before the whole
patty sprang nstananeou to their feet and confront
ed him with the rage OF tgers-and a more precious
crew of cut-throats could hardly have been found.
"Kil himl kill him WAS the geueral cry Pistols and
bowie knives promiscuOus drawn, and one could
see they onged lap the blood Of the unfortunate man.
as they crowded round their victim Dick Iaon, with
an ugly grin, interposed.
stop BOYS, the fellow is safe | want to catechise
i'm afore he's made mincemeat Of Come, now, who
are ye?"
During all the tumult occsioned by this remark, the
stranger had kept his easy halirecumbeut position, re-
gardesS Of the menacng group, continuing TO smoke
with the most astonishing cOolness, aud eyeug them
all with sort OF siucy smile that absolutely pro-
vokng.
"Come, now, who are yes' repeated Dick Hatton,
tightening his grasp on his bowe-knr.
The Iuans pressed nearer, doT knives were raised
but still the stranger manifested not the slightest symp
tom of alarm Carel s'ly 6ivesng himself Of bis beard
he proceeded in the same quiet way to dspace
curling wig In one econd more, the gang had buts
into Wild h. loo, which sent Tim Beg rushing back.
"Blow my eyes!" exclaimed he, letting his pipe fall
from his mouth, in his amazement "Why, it's the Tom
tit"
Nobody else" reptile that individual, who had moi
changed his position, bu puhng vigorously at h'
cigar "You're bright people of you, pom my word
nov Beg if you can trot back to the stable and pu
my horse better quarters than you at first intended
aud hearken lad tell that spoony of wife Of youIs tC
tx up something hot; I'm blasted hungry. Now then
4hat are you all gaping at me for " added the Tom
il surveying the group with dersive smile. "Ddn'
know me- when I've cheated you so often: Nice fel
loWs!"
The gang indeed looked very foolish at the uneIpect
ed denoucment; their weapons we're once return
ed to their hiding places and they stood staring at the
chief scarcely chewing Their own eyes.
"The devil imself would find il ard to tell ye. OBJ
served Dick sulkiy. Ivy, Beg, as knows everybody
viii Won eve gets taken 10; bur- Tomtit vos the news!
Never you trouble your head for that will come II
good time" replied the Tomd draining glass Of ale
oficously placed before him. Everything just as eI
uected The police ou- track at CANDLES, but
6Ied em" With this hre' synopsis of news, the Tom
tt leaned back in bis chair and continued to smoke in
thoughtful meditating manner.
In about fifteen minutes Mrs. Beg, porty, redharet
LADY, announced that supper ready and the gam
adjourned 10 small apartment in the part Of tn
building where = rude meal served up; roast pl
forming the principal feature oi the entertainment whc
was quickly washed down With a. bera supply Of whisky
"NoW then said the Tomtit after he had satisfied hi
hunger, and was stirring the componens OF secon,
glasufu OF punch; mos, then, boys I'm read TO tt
What" ,jsculated the gang with one voice, "Cr
nabbed ~
"Crb il cribbed and that's the short and long Of it,
observed the Tomdt gloomiy. "Once was the time tn
trade could be carried on. aud OF the lcas
bit of a SIX; even Nest Washt necessary; now tn
thing gets every day more dangerous, and the proft
grow smaller"
"Bu what about Crib ," inquired several cf the gang
anIously
''Cib,' continued the TomLit, "acted like apreciou
fool told him all the boys had left but him. but he W,
so blasted confident he kept aggng, and putGg OIL u
be got cribbel lie would just close his Peepirs, an
walk into the pit without any one helping him IN; cor
found him. he nearly dragged me with him"
The company nov pressed the Tomnt for more detail
ed information from which it appeared that that uuluck
individual had INDUCED in Spree and having boAse
pretty freely Of his achievements 10 the burglary ne
ncOnsinently pounced upon by The Philadelphia poic'
Sho had long bt eu on the look out for him.
"Hs Won't peach 'Ope," observed Dick Hi'ton. 81
would bs very bad blou-up arter all the troubls
Ouss keeping, not saying nothing about AviOg no pr