The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-12-22
CHAPTER /.
THE NEST or The ToNTIT.


heavily bearded. paused before the door that
led In TO the bar-room, and peepcd ING uisitiNe-
" in; seeing small group sitting AROUND the
table, he walked very leisureiy toward them,
introducing himself in frank, easy style.
"A good evening, gentlemen, 10 you all"
The company, VINO were earnestiy engaged
in conyersing, hardly nouced MS entrance,
but when he spoke, they instantly paused and
Srse ted the ne W conner with a look plainly ex-
pr sssiye of surprise, curiosity and anger. One
OF the party, VINO had less SINISTER and surIy
face than the rest gravely advanced toward
him eyeing him sharply, as he said
You wish lodS ings, my man -
Certainly do, Mr.. Bee (who at the men =
ton of his own name Nisibly started,) what
else should stop here for (! There's my pony
wants the same thing; attend 10 him first and
In The meanwhile 1 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, aud forthwith
stretched himself IN an easy posture in Tim
Bsg's faYorite armchair, much To the aston
lshment Of that gen tleman, who slowly moved
toward the door, winking silly 10 his compan-
ions as he did so.
the company with u nonchalance and tamil
iarity that took them completely by surprise
"Fot yer doing here for = growled "A dark
visased, ugiy-looKtng sconndrei, whose pox-
marked facewas hair obscured by dirty cap.
He rose as he spoke, and drew out sharp
knife.
"Oh, no - laughed the stranger, sending up
a long spiral column of smoke, and regiruiug
The oIner with half sneer. "Dout attempt
10 frighten me; amt your name DICK Hat
ton 2"
scarcely had he asked the question before
the whole party sprang simultaneously 10
their feet, and coufron ted him with the rage OF
tigars-and more precious crew of cut
throats could hardly have been found.
xiii him! Kali hIm!' was the general cry.
Pistols and DO wie-kuIves were promiscuously
Al nd ,1np
the blood OF the unfortunate man, as they
crowded round their victim. DICK Hatton,
with an ugly grin, IN terposed
stop, boys, the fellow Is safe. want 10
catachlse i'm ature he's made mInCe- meat OF.
Come now, who are We ~
During all the tumuit occasioued by his re-
mark, the stranger had Kept his easy, half-re-
cumbent position, regardless OF The menacing
group continuing TO smoke with The most as
tonisnIug coolness, and cycling them all with
a sort of saucy smile that was absolutely pro-
vokiug.
Hatton, tightening his grasp on his bowie
knife.
The rufians pressed nearer, dozen knives
were raised, but stlll the stranger NANTES Ted
not the slightest symptom OF alarm. Care
lsssly diyesung himself OF his beard, lie pro-
ceeded in the same quiet way 10 oiSplaee a
black curling wig. In one second more the
gang had burst into wiz haIloo, WhIcn sent
Tim Beg rushing back.
blow my eyes - exclaimed he, letting his
pipe fall frcm his mouth III his amaZement.-
why, it's the Tomut!'
"Nobody else" replied that individual, who
had not changed his position, but Was putting
vigorously al his cigar. You're bright peo-
Pile, all OF you, pom my word now, Beg, see
If you can trot back 10 The stable, and put my
horse Ia be tter quarters than you at first IN
tended aud hearken, lad, tell that spoony OK
q wife of yours TO fix up something not-l'm
bias ted hungry. Now, then, what are you all
gaping al me for 7" added the Tomtit, survey
Z h dar m Ia Rn
know me, when I've cheated you so often =
Nice fellows "
The gang indeed, looked very foolish at the
unexpec ted denouementi their weapons were
once more returned To their hiding places, and
they stood staring at their Chief, scarcely be-
lieying their own eyes.
"Tner devil 'imself would find it ard to tell
We" observed Dick sulkily. IVY, Beg as
knows every body, with Won eye, gets taken in;
but Tomut, volts The news !"
sNever you trouble your head for that, ii
will come In goeu time" replied the Tonitt,
draining glass of l.le, officIously placed be-
fore him. Everything just as L suspected !;
the police were on our Track at Gam ole's, but
/ fixed 'em." With this brief synopsis of news,
the Tomtit leaned back In his chair and con-
tinued To smoke in il thoughtful, meditating
manner.
In about fifteen minutes, Mrs. Beg, portly,
red haired lady, announced that supper WAS
ready, and the gang adjourned To a small
apartment in the rear part OF Inc building,
where a rude meal WAS served up; roast pi Z
forming the principal feature OF the entertain
ment which was quickly washed down with
a liberal supply OF Whlskey.
Now them said the Tomtit, after he had
satisfied his hunger, and was stirring the COM
ponent4 of a second glassfull OF punch now,
Then, boys, I'm ready TO tell the news. In the
first place Crib has been criboed."
what! :" calculated the gang w ith enc voice,
"Orib nabbed !"
"Crib is eribbed, and that's the short and
long Of it," observed the Tomtit, gloomily.-
rh.a ra ia anil hA GA r I I'D
on and none of us ran the least bit OF u risk
even a Nest wasn't necessary now the thing
gets every day more dangerous, and the profits
grow smaller"
"But what about Crlo u inquired several OF
the gang, anxlously.
"Crib." continued the Tomtit "acted like n
precious fool told him all the boys mad lett
hut him, but ne was so blasted confident he
kept lag ging and putting of, Till he got crib
bed He would just close MS peppers, and
walk into the pit withoutany one helping him
in !; confound nim, he nearly dragged me with
him"
more detailed information, from which II ap-
peared that that unlucky individual had IN
duiged In a spree, and having boosted pretty
freely Of his achievements in the burglary line,
was inconlinently bounced upon by the PhIla-
delphia police, who had long been on the look
out for him.
ale Won't peach, l ope," observed Dick Hat
ton at ysuld be u VERY bad blow up arter
all the trouble OF 'ouse keeping, not saying
nothing about 'aying no private coEWenlen-
css. and place for to lde when Their Wind
blows Ugh"
He amt going to peach, said Mr.. Beg, au-
thori;atively, "not he, / know him 10 be Il bull
ly man."
"So do l. so do l." exclaimed several voices
at once.
she'll keep things dark, and maybe set Them
on the wrong scent-let him alone for that
But bias me-" continued the gen tleman, that
isn't the thing; we can't spare Crib why the
whole twelve OF us are wanted for next week S
iob and Crib was such a locksmith that his
services were next 10 gold, but 1T is just our
COMPOUNDED luck"
The Tomtit, with this brief reference to the
valuable Qudllhca tons OF Mr.. Crib, proceeded
10 mix a third glass OF whiskey punch, and to
swallow the same with look Of becoming
sorrow and resignation.
GAS he's gone" continued the 1omtit mu-
sinety 81 suppose it's best 10 try different
plan; L tell you what boys, have great mind
10 postpone the visit TO old Van Checkers tor
a fortnight at least, till l can get one OF US in
soms way connect ted with the house; L heard
the other day the old gentleman wanted q
coachman and ii / had somebody 10 person
ate one why IL would be a very rum thing tC
get him In there, and then, don't you see, there
would be no need OF locksmith."
IVY don'I yOn 60, Tomtiti Yer would make q
rum coachee yer would 3" suggested Dick with
agrln.
old gen tleman 10 hair, !" returned the Tom III
complacently "but / have something NOR.
important 10 manage; no, I'll tell you
what boys, pvea good mind To send one O.
you"
Good" said several voices
II Know" continued the Tomtit, sail abou
the house, Us far as that goes. for nave visit.
cd every nook and corner myself. but sun il
would be very convenient 10 have somebod
to let us in GRIP could have opened the baei
door easily, out seeing mes Gagged, Wen hav,
.'Hist!h suddenly exclaimed Mr.. Beg, de
scribing with his finger rapid moyemeot il
the direction of the window. The burglar
started and prieked up their ears as they dis