The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-09-05
The Double Robbery.

those-to the bucolic cmind-particuarv
obnoxious specimens Of the genus thief
known as "rievers' or 'lfters" of cattle.
Almost all the rascals who followed this
not unlucrative profession trusted to mere
brute force to carry out successfully their
nefarious schemes. There was, however,
one exception to this rule, to be found in
the person of celebrated freebooter,
known as Dickey of Kingswood" This
worthy openly expressed his disapproha-
ton of his rivals vulgar mode Of following
their profession, and repeatedly boasted
that he could achieve twice as much BY
his cunning as they could by their brute
force. Nor was this assertion of his mere
empty boastine--far from it. In a few
years time Dickey's name became a ter
ror of the country side. No farmer felt
secure when he retired to rest at night
that his cattle might not have vanished ere
morning. So cleyerly, moreover, were all
Dickey's enterprises conducted that no man
could ever succeed in making personal ac-
quaintanee with him. lie openly set ius>
tice az defiance, and laughed at the futile
efforts of the law to punish him. Per-
haps, however, the best way to illustrate
the adroitness and good luck which char
acterlzed all Dckey's proceedings, will be
for me to relate the story Of one of his ex,
ploits.
1t appears, then, that dnring the course
of his peregrinations through Northumber-
land, one Gne afternoon, Dickey's eyes
we're gladJenel by the sight OF pair of
fine oxen, which were quietly grazing in a
field near Denton Barn, village distant
three miles from Newcastle.
Determined to possess them, Dickey
hung about the place till nightfalI, watch
ing where the animals were driven to, and
his usual good fortune assisting him
speedily secured his prize He also con
trived, by the exercise of his accustomed
cunning, to leave such traces behind him
as made the owner Of the oxen certain that
the freebooter had made off towards the
Tweed. Thlther he accordingly proceed
ed in hot haste. In the interim, however
Dickev had lost no time in "makinc
tracks y towards the West country, and,
so expeditions were his movements, that
in a short time he reached Lanercost, in
Cumberland. Here he fell in with an old
farmer on horseback, who, being delighted
with the appearance of the oxen, forthwith
purchased them.
Dlckey was of course rejoiced at getting
lid so pleasantly of charge which could
not fail to be troublesome-nay, possibly
aaugerous-to him longer to retain. The
farmer moreover, was mounted upon a
splendid mare, which Dickev, with his pc
cuiar ideas on the subject of meun2 and
tam, at once resolved by fair means or
foul, to secure. He, therefore, willingly
accepted the farmers hospitable invitation
to accompany him to his house in order
that they might crack bottle of wine
in honor of Their bargain. Presently
D!ckev enquired Of the farmer ii he would
sell him his mare
Sell You my mare"' exclaimed his
host, all aghast at this proposition. sell
my mare No, thank you Why, there's
not her eqnal in the whole North coun
try -
4 do not doubt it, Mr. Musgraye," re
sponded Dickey, and from what saw Of
her PAGES this morning, am quite of your
opinion that there's not her equal within
a hundred miles Of US; but" added the OBJ
sequious Dick, "since as you will not sell
her, [ can only wish you long life and
good health to enjoy her.
This sentiment was Of course duly hon
ored in bumper.
Il hope, Nj. Musgrave," next observed
Dickey, 'that. YOU keep 4 close look out
after your stable door, because now, when
that confounded rascal Dickey of Kings
wood, is allow ed to be at liberty, a man
cannot be sure but that any fine morning
he may find his stable emoty"
" Stable ha ha !" chuckled the farmer
" | think" he continned, that Dickey of
Kngswood would find it rather difficult to
steal my mare out Of her stable !"
" Indeed! Where may her stable be
situated g inquired Dickev.
"Her stable. GCd bless you. sir !" an.
swered Mr.. MuSGrave, cher stable is in my
bedroom. | am bachelor, and so every
night | ,as'en her to my bedpo~t. have
had manger put up for her in the room,
and no music is SO pleasant to me as to
hear her grinding her corn, ali night BY my
bedside"
Dickey was astonishel-as well he
might be at such unheard of precautions ;
but, Disgusting his astonishment, he con-
tented himself by simply expressing to the
farmer his hearty approval of the means
he adopted to secure the safety Of his ia
vorite.
"I suppose YOU have a good lock upon
your bedroom door e was Dickey's rext
teeler.
Come with me and I vii! show it to
YOU" replied the unsuspecting farmer.
This was Of c0lrse just what Dickev
wanted. He examined the lock carefully
and soon satisfied himself that he could
pick it without much difficulty. lie how
ever, declared 10 Mr. Musgraye that it was
( lust the right sort Of lock it couldn't
have been better, in fact it was quite non
pickabIe, dc, &c.
Again the loving cup passed round, and
after draining bumper TO their " next
merry, merry meeting" Dickey departed
The old farmer, after his guests leave.
taking had been completed, carefully wen:
the rounds of his house, locking doors anG
clozinn windows with all dine nracaution