Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-07-21
MistellamtouS.
The Double Robbery.


Northumberland and the Scottish border
were terribly infested by those-to the
bucolic INDEPENDENTLY obnoxious
specimens of the genus thief known as
ricvcrs' or differs of cattle.
Almost all the rascals who followed
this not unlucrative profession trusted
chiefly 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 q
celebrated freebooter. known as .'Dickcy
Of kingswood" This worthy openly ex-
pressed his disapprohation Of rivals
vulgar node Of following their profess
sion aud repeatedly boastcd that he
could achieve twice as much by his cum
ning as they could by their brute force.
Nor vas this assertion Of his mere empty
boasting-far from it.
In few years time Dickney's name
became the terror 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 cleverly
moreover were all Dickcy's enterprises
conducted, that no man could ever sue
ceed in making personal acquaintance
with him. He openly set justice at def
ance, and laughed at the futile efforts of
the law to punish him. Perhaps, how.
ever, the best way to illustrate the
adroi,ness and good luck which charac.
terized all Dickeys proceedings will be
for me to relate the story OF one Of his
exploits.
1t appears, then, that during the
course OF his pcrcgrinations through
Northumberland one fine afternoon,
Dickey's eyes were gladdencd by tae
sight of pair Of 6nc oxen which were
quietly grazing in field near Denton
Burn, village distant three miles from
Newcastle.
Determined to possess them, Dickcy
hung about the place till nighttall, watch.
ed where the animals were driven to,
aud his usual good fortune assisting him
speedily secured his prize. lie also
contrived, by the exercise Of his ac-
customcd cunning, to leave such traces
behind him as made the owner Of the
oxen certain that the freebooter had
made off towards the Tweed. Thther
he accordingly proceeded in hot haste.
In the interim, however, Dickey had lost
on time in "making tracks" towards the
west country. and so expeditions were
his movements, that in short time he
reached Lanercost in Cumberland. Here
he foil in with an old farmer on horse-
back, who, being delighted with the ap-
pearance Of the oxen, forthwith purchas.
ed them.
Dickey was of course rejoiced at get
ting rid so pleasantly of charge which
could not fail to be troublesome-nay.
possibly, dangerous-to him longer to re.
tain. The farmer, moreover, was mount
ed upon a splendid mare, which Dickey,
with his peculiar ideas on the subject of
meum and t1um, at once resolved, by
fair means or foul to secure. He, there
fore. 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 Dickey inquir-
ed of the farmer if he would sell his
mare
"Sell my y" exclaimed his host,
all agbast at this proposition. "Sell my
mare! No, there's not her equal in the
whole north country"
IL do not doubt it, Mr.. Musgraye,"
responded Dickey; land from what l
saw Of her PAGES this morning, I'm quite
of your opinion that there's not her
equal within hundred miles Of US; but,
added the obsequious Dick, ''since you
will not sell her, | can only wish you
long life and good health to enjoylher,"
This sentiment vas Of course duly
honored in bumper.
81 hope. Mr.. Musgrave," next observ-
ed Dickey, "you keep close look out
after your stable. door, because now, when
that confounded rascal, Dickey OF Kings
bury is allowed to be at liberty. man
can not be sure but that any fine morn.
ing he may find his stable empty"
SnStable! ha! hal" chuckled the far
mer. ~ think" he continued, "that
Dickcy of Kingsbury would find it rather
difficult to steal mig mare out OF her
stable p'