The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-04-12
Y SCHOFF. VINEGAR & co.

, Confound your impudence,' howled m,
father
Good night, said Tom, with wave o
f his hand, and turning sharp round, h
jumped his horse over the fence, and wal
out Of sight in a moment
- x r. y X
1t was not quite fair of my father, | must
own (Mr. Josh continued after PAUSE, but
he determined to set trap for Tom Rock ct
baited with the five hundred guineas, at the
bridge. He posted up to London, saw Brad
shaw a famous Bow Street runner, and ar
ranged that he and his men should come
down, and help to catch Tom; but, Just at
the last moment, Bradshaw was detained
upon some important government trial, and
so another runner, Fraser, a no less celebra-
ted officer, took his place. Jli 10 GC
1t was settled that the runners should
come by different roads, and all meet at a
way side inn about five miles from the
bridge, at eight o'clock p. NJ, on tie day
my fathers pocket-book3wa to be returned
An hour afterwards they were to join him
on the road three miles further on Their
object you see, in taking this round about
course, was to battle Toms spies and ac-
completes, and to get securely hid about
the appointed spot long before the appoint
ed time @
My father was a little late at the place of
meeting; but when he arrived there he could
see no one about except a loutish-looking
countrvmau in a smock -frock, who was
swinging on gate hard by.
Good noight, MASTER said the yokel.
Good night to you, replied my father.
Can you tell who this letters for, said
the yokel, producing folded paper
My father saw in moment that it was
his own letter to Bradshaw.
Where did you get that . be said quickly.
'Ah = replied the yokel, replacing it in
his pocket that nd be telling -. Be yer
expecting anybody
What's that to you said my father 81
oh, nought, said the yokel, only gen
tleman from London
'Ha y cried my father, what gentleman
Will name beginning with f suit you?
asked the yokel. .a.t
Fraser? 2 The work fell involuntary from
my fathers lips
That's the uagne, replied the yokel jump
ing down from his seat, and changing his
name and manner in moment I'm Fraser,
sir, and you're MIR. Sandger, as has been
robbed of pocket-book, containing valua-
bic papers; and we are going to catch Tom
Racket as has got it-that's our game, sir
All right sir; and now to business
But where are your men !? my father
asked, when Fraser had explained the rea-
son for his disguise " ,v.
'AlI right again sir, said the runner,
they will join us. We have not much time
to lose, SO please to lead the way
So my father led the way, followed by
Fraser; and by the time that they came in
sight of the bridge they had been Joined by
four London officers, in different DISCUSSES,
and from different directions. One appear
ed as tramp, one as pedlar, another as
gentleman's servant, leading horse and
fourth as soldier. No one could have
guessed that they had met before much less
that they were engaged together in pre-
concerted scheme, My father gave Fraser
great credit for the dextrous way in which
he had collected his forces.
The bridge upon which the money was to
be placed consisted of two arches across the
river, and was joined on either side by long
sort of causeway, built upon piles over mead
ows that in winter time were generally GOV.
cred with water 1t so happened that the We
ry next morning after the robbery heavy rain
set in and soon the floods were out, SO that
there was no way of getting on the bridge
but by going along the causeway, which ex-
tended distance Of hundred yards, sIoping
down gradually to the road, on each side Of
the river. This causeway was built of wood
At some places the timbers were covered
with earth and stones, but at others the road
way had worn out and they were bare, so
that any one looking up from underneath,
could see who was passing overhead Mr..
Frazer's sharp eye took in the position in
moment. He got two hurdles out of field
close by, and with some rope. that he had
brought for another purpose, fastened them
to the piles, SO that they hung like shelves
between the roadway and the food. one at
each side of the bridge, and about twenty
yards from it. This was his plan two of
the men were to lie hidden on each hurdle,
whilst he and my father, III boat that was
concealed beneath the main arch of the
bridge, unseen themselves, could watch the
heap of stones where the money was to be
placed, and the stolen pocket-book left in
exchange for it. AS soon as Tom Rocket Or
any of his friends removed the bag in which
the gold was packed, Frazer was to whistle,
and his men were to climb from their hiding
places, and secure whoever it might be. If
he leaped over the railing of the causeway,
and took to the water, there was the boat in
which to follow and capture him.
Mr.. Frazer was very particular in prac.
Using his allies in springing quickly from
their place of concealment and of impress
ing upon them and my father the necessity
of all acting together, keeping careful
watch, and strict silence. And now, SIR
he said to my father, as a distant clock
chimed quarter to twelve, its time to get
to our places and bait the trap, so please to
hand me the bag that | may mark it, and
some of the coins, SO as to be able to identify
them at the trial. He had made up his
mind, you see, to nail Master Tom this time.
My father gave him the bag, saw him write
upon it, and make some scratches on about
a dozen of the guineas, and then my father
let himself down into the boat, in which he
was Immediately Joined by the runner
It's all right, replied Fraser, in low
tone.
'Do you think ne will Gomez whispered
My father.
Certain replied Fraser. flush we must
mot talk, sir, times up,
7 For three mortal hours did my father sit
in that boat, and the runners lay stretched
out on the broad of their backs upon those
hurdles watching for Tom Rocket to come
for his money, and for three mortal hours
not soul approached the bridge, not a
sound, but the wash of the swollen river was
heard By the time that the clock struck
three my father, who had been nodding for
the last twenty minutes fell fast asleep as
he sat covered up in his cloak, for it was a
bitter cold night; but was very speedily
aroused by hearing Fraser cry out that they
were adrift. ..-.-s
Adrift they were. sure enough. The rope
that held them had been chafed against the
sharp corner of a pile $50 Mr.. Fraser explain
, led) till it broke, and away went the boat
: whirhDg round and round in the eddies O
the river, tit to make any one giddy Sc
strong was the stream that they were carried
mile and half down it before they coulC
4 Il =