Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-22
d0lurtrstrr Daily Spr,



traveller dismounted from his jaded horse, and
entered little hOstelry, or tavern, situated IN
the then wides. region of Pennsylvania. The
stranger, who was large, stout looking man,
heavily bearded, paused before the door that
led into the bar-room, and peeped lnquisiiively
in ; seeing small group sitting around the
table, lie walked very leisurely toward them,
introducing himself in a frank, easy style.
"A good evening, gentlemen, to you all.
The company, who were earnestly engaged
in conversation, hardly noticed his entrance,
but when he spoke, they instantly paused and
greeted the new. conner with look plainly eX-
pressive OF surprise, curiosity and anger One
OF the party, who had less sinister and suriy
face than the rest grayely advanced toward
him, cycling him sharply, as he sand;
''You wish lodgings, my man =
Certainly do, Mr.. Beg (who at the men
ton of his own name visIbly started 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 scowl which greeted him as he
said this, coolly lit his cigar, and forthwith
stretched himself into a easy posture IN lin
Beg's favorite armchair, much to the aston
ishment of that gentleman, who slowly moved
towards the door, winking silly to his compan-
ions as he did so.
The stranger commenced TO smoke. cycling
the company with nonchalance and familiar
ity that took them completely by surprise.
'Vot yer doing here for % growled dark
vlsaged, ugly.looking scoundrel, whose pox
marked face was half obscured by dirty cap.
He rose as he spoke, and drew out a sharp
knife.
"Oh, oh !" laughed the stranger, sending up
long column spiral of smoke, and regarding
the other with a half sueer. Don't attempt
to frighten me ; amt your name Dick Hat
ton p?
Scarcely had he asked the question, before
the whole party sprang instantaneously TO their
feet, and confronted him with the rage of ii:
gers-and more precious crew of cut-throats
could hardly have been found
''Kill him kill him p was the general cry.
Pistols and bowie-knives were promiscuously
drawn, and one could see they longed to lap
the blood of the unfortunate man, as they
crowded around their victim. Dick Hatton,
with an ugly grin, interposed.
"Stop, boys, the fellow is safe want to
caachlse i'm afore he's made mlnce meat OF.
Come, now, who are We 2"
During all the tumult occasioned by his re-
mark, the stranger had kept his easy, hali-re-
cumbent position, regardless of the menacing
group, continuing to smoke with the most as
tonishing GOODNESS, and cycling them all with Il
sort OF saucy smile that was absolutely pro-
YokiGg.
Come, now, who are yea" repeated Dick
Hatton, tightening his grasp on his bowie
knife.
The ruffians pressed nearer, dozen knives
were raised but still the stranger manifested
not the slightest symptom Of alarm. Can eleSs-
ly divesting himself ofnis beard, he proceeded
in the same quiet way to displace a black curl
ing wig. In one second more, the gang had
burst into a wild halloo which sent Tom Beg
rushing back.
"Blow my eyes p exclaimed he, letting his
pipe fall from his mouth, in his am lzement.
"Why, it's the Tomdt"
Nobody else, replied that individual, who
had not changed his position, but was putting
vigorously at his cigar. "You'er bright peo-
pie all 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 first in
tended and harkcn, lad tell that spoony of
wife OF yours to fix up something hot; I'm
blasted hungry. Now then what are all you
gaping at me for 2" added the Tomlt sur.
veying the group WIN a derlsIve smile. DIDN'T
know me, when I've cheated you SO often
Nice fellowsl"
The gang indeed looked very foolish, at
the unexpected denouement their weapons
were once more returned TO their hiding
places, and they stood staring at their chief,
scarcely believing their own eyes.
"Iher devil 'imself would find it ard to tell
ye," observed Dick, sulkily. "Vy, Beg, as
knows everybody, with Won eye, gets taken
in but, Tomtit, volts the news 90
'Never trouble your head for that, it will
come in good time" replied Tomtit, draining
glass OF ale, oficiously placed before him.
Everything ju as l suspected the police
were on the track at CANDLES, but fixed
NJ tbo
Tomtit leaned back in his chair, and continued
to smoke in thoughtful medtating manner.
In about fifteen minutes, Mrs. Beg, porty,
red haired lady, announced that supper was
ready, and the gang adjourned to a small ap
artment in the rear part of the building, where
rude meal was served up roast pig form
ing the principal feature OF the entertainment,
which was quickly washed down with libe
raj supply OF whiskey.
"Now, them" said Tomtt, after he had sat.
isfed his hunger, and was stirring the COM
ponents of second glassful of punch NOW,
then, boys I'm ready to tell you the news. In
the first place, Crib has been cribbed."
"What !" calculated the gang with one
voice, "Crib nabbed %
"Crib is cribbed, and that's the short and
long of it," observed the Tomtit gloomly.
"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 the thing
gets every day more dangerous and the profits
grow smaller"
''But what about Crib 3" inquired several
OF the gang, anxiously.
"Crib," continued the Tomtit, "acted like
precious iool,; ! told him all the boys had
left but him. but he was so blasted confident
he kept tagging, and putting off, till he got
cribbed. de would just close his peppers, and
walk into the pit without any one helping him
in confound him"
The company now pressed the Tomtit for
more detailed information, from which it ap-
peared that that unlucky individual had in.
obliged in spree, and having boosted pretty
freely OF his achievements in the burglary
line, was incontnenty bounced upon by tile
Philadelphia police, who had long been on the
look TOUT for him.
"Ho Won't peach l 'ope," observed Dick
Hutton. at would be very bad blow-up
arter all the trouble of 'ouse keeping, not say.
ing nothing about 'aving no private conwen-
fences, and place for to 'ide when Their wind
blows Ugh"
Gle amt going to peach" said Mr.. Beg,
authoritatively, mot he, know him to be
bully man."
$50 do l. SO do l." exclaimed several voices
at once
'As to the matter of that, remarked Tom
tit, "hel keep things dark, and may be set
the m on the wrong scent-let him alone for
that. But blast me-" continued the gentle
man, chat isn't the thing we can't spare
Crib; why the whole twelve of us are wanted
for next weeks job, and Crib was such
locksmith that his services were next to gold,
but ii is just our c0nfounded luck"
The Tomtit, with this brief reference to the
valuable qualifications of Mr.. Crib, proceeded
to mix third glass of whiskey punch, and
TO swallow the same with look OF becoming