Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-11-01

rid so pleasantly of a charge which could
not fail to be troublesome-nay, possibly
dangerous--to him longer to retain. The
farmer moreover, was mounted upon o
splendid mare, which Dickey, with his PEI
culiar ideas on the subject of meum and
tenn 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 good
wine in honor to their ban gain. Presently
Dickey inquired of the farmer if he would
sell him his mare?
"Sell you my mare !" exclaimed his
host all aghast at his proposition. "Sell
my mare? No, thank YOU Why there's
not her equal in the whole north country"
II do not noubt it Mr.. Mustgrave, re-
spondcd Dickey; "and from what 1 saw
Of her PAGES this morning, am quite of
your opinion that there's not her equal
within hundred miles of US: But" add
ed the obsequons Dick, "since you will
not sell her, l can only wish you long
life and good health to enjoy her."
This sentiment was of course duly hon.
ored in bumper.
Il hope, MIR. Musgrave," next observed
Dickoy, "that you keep a close lookout
after your stable door, because now, where
that rascal Dickey of Kingswood is allow
cd to be at liberty, a man cannot be sure
but that any fine morning he may find his
stable empty"
"Stable ha ha !" chuckled the far
mer. 81 think" he continued, 'that
Dicky Kingswood would find it rather diff
iicult to steal my mare from the stable !"
"Indeed where may her stable be sit
uated ?" inquired Dickey.
"Her stable bless YOU sir!' her stable
is in my bedroom I'm bachelor, and
so l fastcn her to my bed post. have
had manger put up for her in the room,
and o music is so pleasant to me as to
hear her grinding her corn all night by my
bedside.
Dckey was astounded- as we'll he
might beat such unhcard of precautions;
but Disgusting his astonshment, he conten-
ted himself by simply expressing himself
to the farmer his hearty approval Of the
means he adopted to secure the safety Of
his favorite.
"I suppose you have good lock on
your bedroom door ?" was Dickey's next
feeler.'
"Come with me, and I will show it you,
replied the unsuspecting farmer.
This was just what Dckey wanted.-
He examined the lock carefully, and soon
satisfied himself that he could pick it with.
out much difficulty. He, however, de-
clarcd to Musgrave that it was just the
right sort of a lock ''it couldn't have been
better in fact, it was quite non-pickable,
etc.
Again the cup passed round, and after
draining bumper to their next merry
meeting Dickey departed
The old farmer, after his guests leave.
taking had been completed, carefully went
the rounds of his house, locking doors and
closing windows with all due precaution
He then, as usual, tied his horse TO her ac-
customed post, retired and was soon lulled
to sleep by the sound of his fayorito grind
ing her corn.
So the night wore away. Presently,
as the first gray streaks of day began to
appear, Mr.. Musgrave awoke, and feeling
very cold and chilly, looked round to as
certain the cause. TO his astonishment,
he found that all the ooverlets had been
taken off his bed and that his blankets had
been spread out upon the floor. For what
purpose thought Mr., Musgrave. Was
he the victim of some horrible nightmare,
or was he really awake! Mechanically
his eye glanced to the spot where his mare
should have been. She was not there
She was gone-stoIon! During the night
some daring thief had broken into the farm
house, had picked the lock on the door OF
the bedroom, had spread the blankets
over the floor, SO that the hoofs of the
marc should make no noise, and had thus
triumphantly made of with his prize:
OF course Mr.. Musgrave reused his
household, and commenced vigorous
search after the thief 1t was useless
The despoiler had left no trace behind
him, and so Mr., Musgraye was obliged to
return home disconsolate, and to content
himself with venting curses-nolther few
nor far betweeu-=-upon the thief.
In the meantime our friend Dickey-
for his was the deed-was comfortably
| .-....J 800, NJ, Mus1roua'e favnritp