The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-04-12

Jolly red faoe-he was pale as death-hi
nose WAS Roman one-Grecian or snub tn
lrest His dress was all the coIors of tn,
rainbow, and as for his horse that was o
every shade and breed that was ever hearC
of and of good many more beside, tina
have yet to be found out. He wore blacl
half-mask, but somehow or other it was al
ways obliging enough to slip off. so as t.
give each of his victims full view of his
face only notwo of them could agree as t.
what it was like.
| My father was Gloucester man. liz
stood six feet three in his stockings and
measured thirty-six inches across the chest
He could double up balf-crown between
! his finger and thumb, and was as brave as
lion. So, many time and oft, when any
one talked of the dangers of the road, he
would set his great teeth together, shake
his head and say he should like to see the
man that could rob him on the highway,
and, as | said before he did see him, and ii
was Tom Rocket.
| My father was lawyer, and was at the
time have mentioned, engaged in great
1.-THE cause that was to be tried at Warwick
Spring Assizes. So, shortly before Christ
mas, he had to go over to look up the evil
dence. There was no cross country coach
so he rode; and being as | have said, a brave
man, he rode alone. He transacted his bu.
siness, and my poor mother being ill, and
not liking to leave her alone long than he
could help, he set out to ride home again
about half-p past nine o'clock that same even
ing. 1t was beautiful winters night as
ever you were out in. His nag was first
rate hunter, as docie as dog, and fit to
carry even his weight over or past anything
He had brace of excellent pistols in his
holsters and he logged along, humming a
merry tune, neither thinking nor caring
for any robber under the sun. All of a sud
den, it struck him that the pretty barmaid
of an inn just out of Warwick town, whe re
he had stopped to have girth he bad bro
ken patched together, had been very busy
with those self same pistols; and suspecting
that she might have been tampering with
them, he drew the charges and reloaded
them carefully. This done he logged on as
before.
He had ridden about ten miles, when he
came to wooden bridge that was in those
days over the Avon. Just beyond it rose a
stif6sh hill, at the top of which was sud
uCh DOuu III ZIG lOdu' UuoL do MY lGbHtI
reached this turn, a masked horseman sud
denly wheeled round upon him., and babe
him Stand and deliver = 1t was Tom Rock
ct In a second my fathers pistols were
out, cooked and snapped within yard of
the highwaymen's chest; but one after the
other, they missed fire ! The pretty bar
MAZDA special favorite of Toms-was too
sharp to rely upon the old dodge of drawing
the balls, or damping the charge; she thrust
pin into each touch hole, and then broke
it short off.
ANY more ? Tom inquired, as cody as
you please, when my fathers second pistol
flashed in the pan.
Yes y shouted my father in fury, 'one
for your mob ! And Selling the weapon last
used by the muzzle, he hurled it with all
his might and main at Rockets head. Tom
ducked, the pistol flew over the hedge, and
my father thrown off his balance by his ex-
ertion, lost his seat, and fell heavily on the
grass by the road side. Ia less time than
it takes to say SO, Tom dismounted, seized
my father by the collar, and presented a
pistol within an inch of his face as he lay
babe him be quiet, or it would be the worse
for him. E.I.-# fstE#
You've given me deal of trouble said
Tom, so just hand over your purse with
out any more ado, or by c.! I'll send a
bullet through your skulI-just there;' and
he laid the cold muzzle of his pistol Oh my
fathers forehead just between the eyes.
1t is bad enough to have to look down
the barrel of loaded firearms upon full cock,
with a highwayman's finger upon the trig-
ger; but to have the cold muzzIe pressed
slowly upon your head-ugh lit makes
me creep to think of it.
My father had made virtue of necessi-
ty and quietly gave up his purse.
Much good may it do YOU he said, for
there's only three and sixpence in it.
Now for your pocket book, said Tom
not needing him.
Pocket book = inquired my father, turn
ing little pale pale.
Aye, pocket book, Tom repeated; thick
black one; it is in the left hand pocket OF
your riding coat.
Here it is, said my father, you know SO
much about it that perhaps you can tell
what its contents are worth /?
Tll see,' Tom replied, quietly taking out
and unfolding half a dozen legal looking doc
uments.
They are law papers, not rush to you
or any one else said my father. Then,
Tom replied, 'Imay tear them up and he
made as though he would do So
Hold on your life 7 my father shouted,
struggling hard but in vain, to rise.
Oh they are worth something them
said Tom with grin. r
1T would take deal Of trouble to make
them out again. my father replied sulkily
= that's ALL
How much trouble p Tom inquired with
meaning look.
WELL, my father answered, 1 suppose |
know what you are driving at Hand them
back and let me go, and promise to send
you one hundred pounds when and where
you please
You know very we'll that these papers
are worth more than hundred pounds,
said Tom.
"a hundred and fifty, then,' said my faith
er.
Go on, said Tom
i tell you what it is you scoundrel,' cried
my father, I'll stake five hundred against
them if you'll loose your hold and fight mt
fairly for it.
| Tom only chuckled.
Why, what a ninny you must take me
for he said, why should bother myself
fighting for what even get without ?
You're cur, that's what you are, my
father shouted in fury.
Don't look cross, said Tom it don't be
come you to look red in the face. Now at
tend to me- he continued in an altered tone
do you see that bridge? Well, there's heap
of stones IN the centre isn't there? Very
good if you will place five hundred
guineas in bag, amongst those stones, a
twelve o'clock at night this day week, you
shall find your pocket book and all its con
tents in the same place two hours after
wards
How am to know that you will keel
your word" my father replied little soft
ened by the hope of regaining, even at S
heavy price, the papers that were invalu
able to him.
I'm Tom Rocket replied the robber, Sc
curing the pocket-book upon his person