The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-04
MOSES ORAN 500
OR, t
" THE BURGLARS NEST"
BY GEO. CLARENCE BLANCHARD.
OH "a I L ETG Il
THE NEST OF THE roMrrr.

Near CDe Close oil q colo Jay III OCtVucT,
traveller dismounted from bis jaded horse,
and entered little hostelry, or tavern, sit.
uated in the then widest region of Penn
sylvania. The stranger, who was large.
stont looking man, heavily bearded, paused
before the door that led into the bar-room,
and peeped inquisitivey in he walked very
leisurely toward them, introducing himself
in frank, easy style. 7 .oar s=eId
GA good evening, gentlemen, to you all. :"
The company, who were earnestly en-
gagged in conversng, hardly noticed bis en-
trance, but when be spoke, they instantly
paused and greeted the newcomer with a
look plainly expressive of surprise, curiosity
and anger. One of the party, who had q
less sinister and surly face than the rest,
gravely advanced toward him, cycling him
sharply, as he said:
You wish lodgings, my man p
Certainly do, Mr.. Beg (who at the
mention of his own name visibly started);
what else should stop here for? There's
nv 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 in an easy posture in Tim
Begs favorite arm chair, much to the aston
ishment of that gentleman, who slowly
moved toward the door, winking silly to his
companions as be did so.
The stranger commenced to smoke, cycling
the company with a nonchalance and IA
miliarity that took them completely by sur
prise
"Vot yer doing here for?" growled a
dark-visaged, ugly blocking scoundrel, whose
pox-marked face was half obscured by a
dirty cap. He rose as he spoke, and drew
out a sharp knife.
"Oh, ho!' laughed the stranger, sending
up long spiral column of smoke, and re-
garding the other with half sneer. "Don't
attempt to brighten me; amt your name Dick
Hatton?"
Scarcely had he asked the question, before
the whole party sprang instantaneously to
their feet, and confronted him with the rage
of tigers-aEd more precious crew OF cut
threats could hardly have been found.
Kill him! kill him!" was the general cry.
Pistols and bowie knives were promiscuous-
ly drawn, and one could see they longed to
lap the blood of the unfortunate man, as
they crowded round their victim. Dick
Hatton, with an ugly grin, interpcsed.
"Stop, boys, the fellow is safe. want to
catachise m afore he's made mince-meat OF.
Come, now, who are YET"
During all the tumult occasioned by his
remark, the stranger had kept his easy half
recumbent position, regardless of the men,
acing group, continuing to smoke with the
most astonishing GOODNESS, and eying them
all with sort of saucy smile that was abso.
lutely provoking.
"Come, now, who are ye?" repeated Dick
Hatton, Tightening his grasp on his bowie-
knife.
The rufians pressed nearer, a dozen knives
were raised, but still the stranger manifested
not the slightest symptom of alarm. Care
lessly divesting himself of his beard, be pro.
ceeded in the same quiet way to displace
| black curling wig. In one second more,
the gang had burst into wild halloo, which
sent Tim Beg rushing back.
"Blow my eyes" exclaimed he, letting his
! pipe fallfrom his mouth, in his amazement.
| "Why, it's the Tomtit!' sIa. i, az g3.f ~. B.
"Nobody else," replied that individual,
who had not changed his position, but was
putting vigorously at bis cigar. "You're
bright people 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 intended; and hearken, lad,
tell that spoony of wife of yours to fix up
something hot; I'm blasted hungry. Now
then, what are you all gaping at me for?"
added the Tomtit, surveying the group with
derisive smile. "Didn't know me, when
I've cheated you so often? Nice fellows!"
The gang indeed looked very foolish, at
the unexpected donouement; their weapons
we're once more returned to their hiding
places, and they stood staring at their chief,
scarcely believing their own eyes.
| " Ther devil imself would find it ard to
tell ye," observed Dick, sulkily. SAY, Beg,
as knows everybody, with Won eye, gets ia
ken in; but, Tomtit, volts the news :"
Never you trouble your head for that,
it will come in good time," replied the
Tomtit, draining glass of ale, oficiously
placed before him. Everything just as [
suspected the police were on our track at
CANDLES, but l fixed EN-" With this
brief synopsis of news, the Tomtit leaned
back in his chair, and continued to smoke
in a thoughtful, medtating manner.
In about fifteen minutes, Mrs. Beg, a
portly, red-haired lady, announced that
supper was ready, and the gang adjourned
to small apartment in the rear part Of the
building, where rude meal was served up;
roast pig forming the principal feature Of
the entertainment, which was quickly washed
down with liberal supply Of whiskey.
snow, them" said Tomtit, after he had
satisfied his hunger, and was stirring the
components of a second glassful of punch;
snow, then, boys, I'm ready to tell the
news. In the first place, Crib has been
cribbed."
"What!' CALCULATED the gang with one
voice, 1" Crib nabbed ?"
"Crib is cribbed, and that's the short
and long of it," observed Tomtit, gloomily
"Once was the time the trade could be car
ried on, and none of Us ran the least bit Of
risk; even "Nest wasn't necessary
now the thing gets every day more danger
GUS, and the profits grow smaller"
But what about Crib 7" INQUIRED sew