The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-04
traveller; though they essentially varied in
fhoir nropoco1 nlonc of ov>o,ot:on

tuelr PTOpOStu plduS vi Opor0tlUu.
Mr.. Dick Hatton watched his leaders
countenance during the progress of the con,
versation, but it looked stolidly Indifferent
!" Vots yer opinion, Tomtitr he in.
quired anxiously. "Ain't yer going to say
nothing gY a
,"Of course 1 am" replied Tomtit, plant.
ing bis legs defantly on the table; "my
opinion is the opinion that's got to be
adopted, and no chatteripg. Now look
here" continued he, fixing his restless eyes
on the group, s"you all want to make way
with this traveller 7" .sa
"Thats 3d." exclaimed the burglars.
Sand l." continued Tomtit, cody, lam
for letting him 60"
It would be impossible to describe the
effect produced by this decision. The bur-
glars jumped up, and oaths and impreca
tons Of every description were showered on
their leader.
II say" repeated the chief, unmoved by
the threatening attitude of his men, che
shall go free-not hair of bis head shall
be touched; and who dares object?" His
stern, gray eyes glanced from burglar to
burglar, and they involuntarily quailed be-
fore their defiant CLEAN. -t
"Now listen, you fools, to my reasons"
continued the 1omtit, aDgrily, as the over
awe6 villains shrank back into their seats.
"You all know next week we do heavy
Job in the wholesale line; alter it's done we
must keep dark; the Nest is the only place
we are safe 10, and here we must remain
until the matter blows over; but, if this man
is missed, between that and the job tbere'll
be such a hue and cry raised that we won't
dare to show our heads; now do you under
staDd?"
"Velr spose we run the horse and wa
gon up the country, and hitch his sclothes
by the side Nv the river, vich will look as
though he circumwented himself?" sug-
gested Mr.. Molecat.
The Tomtit shook bis head contempt
uously.
snow, then, what would you get for the
paipstaking and risk? Why, just carpet
bag; and maybe few triAes; people amt
such tools as you take them, to go Juggling
money around the country-there would be
plenty of questions asked about the carpet
bag, and likely enough the horse might take
it into bis head to come back-horses amt
fools either" observed the Tomtit, sarcas-
tically. .....
Mr.. Molecat scratched bis head, as an
expressive indication that the argument
was unanswerable, and short pause en-
sued.
"Vell," remarked Dick Hatton, breaking
the silence, "ther Tomtit's right, spose,
but it does look sorter hard arter the birds
cotched to perwent she picking of i'm. It's
mean, that's vot it is p
The Tomtit vouched no reply to this sui.
len speech, but lighted fresh cigar, he rose,
shook himself, and called Mr.. Beg into an
adjoining apartment.
7 "Where is the man 2" said he.
"In the back room, eating his SUPPER"
was that worthy's reply; "you can peep at
him easy enough, for left the door on the
swing"
The Tomtit accordingly crept stealtbily
into the passage, and getting on his hands
and knees, obtained a very excellent view
of the stranger, who was quietly proceed
ing with his meal. Scarcely, had the Tom.
tits eye peered within, than he gave start
of surprise, and retreated Immediately.
"Here, Beg," he whispered, in an ex.
cited tone, as that individual followed him
back again to the private room "here's
COMPOUNDED 60. Who do you suppose that
man isl" litIH tN..
Mr.. Beg, of course, intimated that he
didn't know, whereupon the Tomtit, look.
ing around to satisfy himself they were
alone, brought his hand in the form of
trumpet close to Mr.. Begss ear, and whis-
phered:
"Ns Duffy" -' rFf "<
Mr.. Beg's face turned deathly pale.
"What," he whispered, "the Detective?"
"The same," rejoined the Tomtit, with
an expression plainly denoting his agitation.
"Who, or what should bring him here alone
l neither know nor can guess-Beg, keep
this from the boys, they are savage enough
now, but if they should find out the truth, l
couldn't control 'em. They would tear this
man to pieces, but, Beg, that mustn't be :,
! they must be led off; for it would be the
worst thing yet to kill him he would be
missed as sure as preaching" ,. -.
is this the one who has been trying so
long to find our Nest?" inquired Beg. 0r,q
The very same" replied Tomtit. 7*You
KNOW the Otato government mas Onered q
reward of over FIVE thousand dollars for the
discovery of our whereabouts, and this
Duffy has been sneaking around trying to
find US, not so much for the possession of the
reward as some private aim; he amt
regular Detective, or be might be led off
years ago he was on the track. have been
watching him all along, designing to finish
him when good opportunity offered, but
the wiry scoundrel managed to escape me
be may disguise himself as much as he likes,
he can't cheat me-"
"He's disguised, then ?" said Mr.. Beg,
amazed afresh.
"Of course he is; that fairness isn't real.
he thinks he's unknown to me, but I'll pay
him of yet" rejoined the Tomtit, with a
silent imprecation. "Ill get rid of him,
but it mustn't be done here. Now then, Beg,
listen: Fetch me lantern and the kew Of
the-You understand me-"
Beg nodded his head, and flew off with
alacrity. No one entertained greater adj
miration of the Tomtit than that gentleman:
be regarded him with the same Difference q
dog would show to his master, and was con.