Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-12-22
ING, VA, SATURDAY. MORNING,

r
who hnd long been on the lookout for
him.
"He Won't peach 'ope," observed Dick
HHtton. Mt would be very bad blow
up arter all the trouble of 'onsc keeping,
not saying nothing about 'aving no private
conweniences, and place for to 'ide when
ther Wind blows Ugh. .
"He aiut going to peach snid Mr.. Beg,
authoritatively, mot he, know him to be
n bully man.
$50 do I, so do l." exclaimed several
voices at once
"As to the matter of that" remarked
Tomtit, "he'll keep things dark, and may
be set them on the wrong sccnt-let him
alone for that. But'blast me-" continued
the gentleman, ''that. 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 n locksmith that his services
were next to gold, but il is jnst our con-
founded luck"
The Tomtit, with this brief reference to
the valuable qualifications of Mr.. Crib,
proceeded to mix n third glass of whisky
punch, and to swallow the same with a
look of becoming sorrow and resignation.
''As he's gone," continued the Tomtit,
m"sinGly, al suppose it's best to try diff
terent plans tell you what boys, have a
great mind to postpone the visit to old
Van Checkers for a fortnight at least, till l
can get one of us in some way connected
With the house; heard the other day that
the old gentleman wanted a coachmnn, and
If ] had somebody to personate one, why
it would be very rum thing to get him in
there, and then, don't you sec, there would
be no need of a locksmith'
IVY don't yow go, Tomtit, yer would make
Il rum coachee, yer vould?" suggested Dick
with IL grin.
"WGy, as to that, suppose might suit
the old gentleman to II hair" returned the
Tomtit complaccntly; "bnt have some
thing more important to manage; no, I'll
tell you what, boys, I've good mind to
send one of you"
"Good," snid several voices.
81 know" continued the Tomtit, sail
about the house, us far as that goes, for
have visited every nook and corner my
self, but still it would be very convenient
to have somebody to let us in; Crib could
have opened the back door easily, Tut see
ing he's Gagged, we'll have to give up get
ting in that way"
"llist!'' suddenly exclaimed Mr., Beg,
describing with his finger rapid move
tnent in the direction of the window The
burglars started and pricked up their ears
as they distinctly heard the sound of an
approaching vehicle; it was just wheel
ing up before the tavern, and Mr. Beg,
who had been sent to reconnoitre. quickly
returned to report to the anxious gang
that it was only n traveller who had lost
his way and wished to stay over night
"IIc'S a jolly looking 'nn, and has IL big
carpet bag" whispered Mr.. Beg.
This intelligence caused mOmentary
excitement; the burglars started up their
fierce eyes sparkling with eager delight,
but meeting the gaze ofatheir chief they
sullenly resumed their seats.
alt is VERY comfortable looking bag?'
enqnircd Dick, rubbing his hands in ex-
pectation of plundcr.
'Vcry promising looking should saw"
replied Mr. Bag, "but what shall do with
the owncr?'
Four tallow candles were now broughl
into the room, and the burglars held II
hurried conversation as to now they should
dispose of their visitor; some were for
dispatching him at once, others were for
making away with him silently, but rs n
prolonged discussion seemed likely to arise,
Mr.. Bag was commissioned to see to the
personal comfort of the gentleman, provide
him with 81 supper, and make ready his
apartment, which last direction caused Mr.
Beg to grin from ear to ear.
"Mind," said Dick, "to put i'm in the
room vots got the trap. door, vich is ther
VERY model of convenience, and the COM
fortablest room in ther 'ouse"
MIR. Beg laughed approvingIy at Mr..
Hntton's humorous allusion to the trap
door, and left his friends to continue their
consultation.
'AIy advice said Dick. F" is to run i'm
down ven he's snooziug, aud drop i'm in
ther vat; dead men doesn't tell tales
Dead men does tell tales, though" in
terruptcd one of the burglars, lowering
his voice to an impressive whisper: "they
come mp an peach, if its only to get a
cove in tromble."
81 think so, too,' chimed in another,
who was known by the soubriquet of
Molecat; "they'll come mp sometimes ven
its VERY inconwcnient aud troublesome.
Vonce, ven wos doing business in the
pad line, in York, we cotchcd fellow one
nightwho was VERY luslly. twas wer-
ry good haul, au' some on US was for let
ting him go but he kept such a hollerin'
and threatening, that, Nrtcr. parleying a
lectlc, Bill Hedges gives him knock on
the head vich silenced him; veil, afore we
tossed him in the river, Bill tics big
rock to his neck to prevent his coming up
.SASSAAlAEH - AOG " Dul
the very next morning the spitcful corpse
comes ashore without the rock, and hold.
ing tight onto n piece of Bin Hedges
jackct, vich wos the means of convincing
him and sending him to the, ,golIows."
Mr.. Molecat's record of his personal ex-
perieuce seemed to make but little imnres-
sion on his listeners, for the main subject
under consideration was resumed, and a
lively debate sprung up, which was. how
ever, not participated in by the Tomtit.
That gentleman sat quietly listening to
the various opinions, deigning no other
comment than an occasional nod of his
head. 1t was evident that the burglars
were unanimously In favor of instantly
destroying the traveller; though they es-
sentially varied in their proposed plans oI
operation.
Mr.. Dick H0tton watched his leaders
lcountenance during the nrnnress of thn