Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-01-14

place two hours afterwards, - 'n' '"me
iiV no" am L TO know that you will keen your
mof9! my father replied, a little softened by
.ne nope OF regalning, even at so heavy price,
Inc papers that were invaluable to him.
IOm Rocket" replied the robber, Sc
UIlang lne pocket-pook upon his person, and
what mean, say; and what say, stick to.
Now, get up, and mind" he added, as INV
miss fire. N'A
muttered. 'A
= Shall ! help you to catch your horse ?''
Tom asked, politely.
"lll never rest till LODGE you in ;a;l said
my father, savagoly
~ Give my compliments to your wife," said
Tom, mounting his horse.
father.
"Good night" said Tom, with waive of his
hand, and turning sharp round, he jumped his
morse over the fence, and was out of sight in
moment.
1t was not quite fair of my father, must
own, but he determined to set trap for Tom
rocket 6alted with the five hundred guineas
at the ldSe He posted up to London, saw
bradshaW, famous Bow street runner, and ar
ranged that he and his men should come down,
ana nGip 10 catch Tom; but just at the last mo-
ment bradshaw was detained upon some i'm
portant government trial. and 80 another run
ner, Fraser, no less celebrated officer. took
his place.
II was settled that tho runners should come
by different roads, and all meet at a way side
Inn about five miles from the bridge, at eight
clock P. m, on the day my fathers pocket
oook was to be returned. An hour afterwards
they were to join him on the road three miles
further on: Their object, you see, in taking
this roundabout course was to battle Toms
spies and accOmplices, and to get securely hid
about the appointed spot long before the ap-
pointed time
My father was little late at the place of
meeting; but when he arrived there he could
see no one about, except loutish-looking
countryman IN smock frook, who was swing
ing on cato hard by.
''Good nOight, maister,' said the yokel
Good night to you, replied my father.
Can you tell me who this yer letters for"
said the yokel, producing folded paper.
My father saw in q moment that il was his
own letter to Bradshaw.
here did you get that ?" he said quickly
Ah !" replied the yokel, replacing it in his
pocket, " that I'D be tellins. Be yer expecting
ony body?"
What's that to you ?" said my father.
Oh, nough," said the yOkel, " only gen.
tleman from London"
- Ha !" cried my father; g what gentle
man ~
Will name beginning with F. suit YOU"
asked the yokel.
"Fraser'' The word fell involuntarily from
my fathers lips.
That's the name, replied the yok ell, jump
ing down from his seat, and changing his tone
and manner in a moment. I'm Fraser sir
and you're Mr.. Sandiger, as has been robbed
Of pocket-boOk containing valuable papers;
and we're going to catch Tom Rocket, as has
got tl-thatS our game, sir. All right, sir;
and now to business"
But where are your men," my father
asked, when Fraser had explained the reason
of his disguise.
'.All right again, SIR" said the runner,
they will join US. We have not much time
to lose, so please to lead the way"
So my father led the way, followed by Fra
ser; and by the time that they had come in
sight of the bridge, they had been joined by
four London officers, in different disguises and
from different directions One appeared as
tramp, one as peddler, another rs gentle
mans servant, leading a horse and the fourth
as soldier. No one could have guessed that
they had met before, much less that they were
engaged in pre-concerted scheme. My father
gave Fraser great credit for the dexterOus way
in which he had collected his forces.
The bridge upon which the money was to be
placed, consisted of two arches across the river
and was joined on either side by a long sort of
causeway, built upon piles over meadows that
In the winter time were generally covered with
water. 1t 80 happened that the very next
morning after the robbery heavy rain set in
and soon the floods were out so that there was
no way Of getting on the bridge but by going
along the causeway, which extended distance
of a hundred yards, slOping down gradually to
the road, on each side of the river. This cause
way was built of wood. At some places the
timbers were covered with earth and stones,
but at others the roadway had worn out and
they were bare, so that any ono looking up
from underneath, could SEQ who was passing
over head Mr. Fraser's sharp eye took in the
position in moment. He got two hurdles out
of a field close by, and with some rope that he
had brought for another purpose, fastened them
to the piles so that they hung like shelves be-
tween the roadway and the flood, ono at each
side of the bridge, and about twenty yards
from it. This was his plan; two of his men
were to lie hidden on each hurdle, whilst he
and my father; in boat which was concealed
beneath the main arch of the bridge, unseen
themselves, could watch the heap of stones
where the money was to be placed, and the
stolen pocket book left in exchange for it. As
soon as Tom Rocket, or any Of his friends, re-
moved the bag in which the gold was packed,
Fraser was to whistle, and his men were to
climb from their hiding places and secure who
ever it might be. If he leaped over the rail-
there was the boat in which to follow and cap
ture him.
Mr.. Fraser was very particular to practice
his allies in springing quickly from their place
of concealment, and impressing upon them and
my father the necessity of all acting together,
keeping careful watch and strict silence. And
now, SIR" he said to my father as distant
clock chimed quarter Of twelve. t" assist me
to get to our places, and to bait the trap, 30
please to hand me the bag that may mark it,
and some of the coins, so as TO be able to identi
fy them at the trial" He had made up his
mind you see, to nail master Tom this time.
My father gave him the bag, saw him write
upon it, and make some scratches on about a
dozen guineas, and then my father let himself
down into the boat, in which he was immedi
ately Joined by the runner.
It's all right, said Fraser in low tone.
"Do you think he will come ?" whispered
my father.
"Certain," replied Fraser, " but, hush we
must not talk, sir, times up
For three mortal hours did my father sit in
that boat, and the runners lay stretched out
On the broad of their backs upon those hurdles
watching for Tom Rocket to come for his money |
and for three mortal hours not soul sp- |
prosched the bridge, not sound but the wash
If the swollen river was heard. BY the time
.ha, the clock struck three, my father who had