The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-02-26
leel-hearted Englishman that WI no see ony

leel-hearted Englishman that y'n no see ony
i'll come over we."
"No humbugp vociferated the highway
man in real earnest; "dismount, and deliver
me that bag Immediately, else will make a
riddle OF your brainless skull in trice"
Wlllle saw that it was in vain to parley, for
the highwayman had his hand on the pommel
OF ms pistol, and an INSCRIPTIONS act would
lay him dead at his feet. Now was the time
tor the wary Scot to put his plan in execution.
All things had happened as he wished, and he
hoped the rest would follow.
"Weel, weel, since it maun be, it maun be-
/ shall dismount and deliver you the treasure,
for life is sweet-sweeter far than even gold to
the miser. l wanted to act an honest part,
but, as we say on the North side O. the border.
Might makes right and sac, as said, it cen
maun be-"
Willie then, with some apparent difficulty,
as an old stif-limbed man, lifted himself from
the pony, and stood staggering on the ground.
"Now," said he, laying his hand heavily on
the money-bag, II have request or two to
make. and all is yours. When l return to
Scotland, must have some marks about nv
person to show that have really been robbed.
and that have not purloined the gold tn NV
own purposes. l will place my bonnet here
| on the side of the road, and you will shoot a
ball through it; and then here is this old cloak
you must send another ball exactly through
here, SO That can show when return. what
a fray nave been in, and how narrowly 1
have escaped"
To this the robber consented, and having
ahghted from his steed, made two decided pei
forations in the way he was desired. This
was with Willie great point gained, for the
robbers pistols we've now empty, and restored
to their place,
i have yet another request" said Willie,
sand then the matter will be completed. You
must permit me to cut the straps that tie the
bag TO the saddle, and to throw it over this
hedge, and then 60 and liftit yourself, that l
may be able to swear that, in the struggle,
did what l could to conceal the money, and
that you discovered the place where l had hid
it, and then seized it; and thus will stand &C.
quilted in all points"
To this also the highwayman consented
Willie, accordingly, threw the heavy bag over
the hedge, and obsequiously offered to hold the
robbers high-spirited Steed till he should re-
turn with the treasure. The bandit, suspect
ing nothing on the part of the driveling old
man, readily committed his horse to his care
while he eagerly made his way through the
hedge to secure the prize. In the meantime
however, Willie was no less agile; for, having
thrown off his ragged and cumbersome cloak
he vaulted upon the steed of the highwayman
with as much GOODNESS as ifhe had been at his
own door. When the robber had pushed his
way back through the hedge, dragging the bag
with him, he was confom1ed on seeing his
saddle occupied by the simpleton whose gold
he had SO easily come by, But he was nc
longer simpleton-no longer a wayfaring
man in beggars weeds-but a tall, burly man
aTrayed in decent garb, and prepared to dis.
pute his part with the best.
"What, no scoundrel Do you intend to run
offwith my horse? Dismount instantly, or
blow out your brainsp
"The better you may" replied Willie; "yom
pistols are empty, and your broadsword is but
reed; advance single step nearer, and / will
send whizzing ball through your beating
heart. AS to the bag, you can retain its con.
tents, and sell the buttons for what they will
bring In the meantime, farewell, and should
you happen to visit my district across the Dor
der, shall be happy to extend to you true
Scotch hospitality"
On this, Willie applied spur and whip to the
fleet steed, and in few minutes was out OF
the wood, and entirely beyond the reach OF
the highwayman. When Willie had time to
consider the matter, he found valise behind
the saddle, which, he had no doubt, was cram
med with Spolls OF robbery; nor was he mistak-
en-, for, on examination, it contained great
quantity of gold, and other precious articles
The highwayman, on opening Willie's bag
found it filled with old buttons and other
trash. His indignation knew no bounds; he
swore, and Moderated, and stamped with his
feet, but all to no purpose he had been out
wltted by the willy Scot, and, artful as he him
self was, he had met with one more artful
still - !"
The Scottish nobleman gained the bet, and
the affair made great noise for many a long
year. Daring men OF this description were
found in every part of the kingdom, frequent
i.g the dark woods, the thick hedges, and the
ruinous buildings by the wayside; and, what
is remarkable, these desperapoes were conven-
tionally held in high repute, and were deemed
heroes. In the time of Charles H., when the
English thoroughfares were so infested with
such adventures, we find that one Claude
Duval, highwayman, while he was terror
to all men, was at the same time true gallant
in the esteem of all the ladies. He was as pop-
uar and renowned as the greatest chieftains
OF his age; and, when he was at last apprehen-
ded, "dames ofhigh rank visited him in pIis-
ON, and, with tears, interceded for his life
and, after his execution, the corpse lay in
state, with all the pomp of scutcheOns, wax
lights, black hangings, and mutes." The Or
der OF society to which we refer was vastly
different from what it is now. Mems habits
and moral sentiments were then of the low
est grade, but, thanks to the clearer light and
better teaching Of Christianity, the condition
oil all classes is vastly elevated. The GOSPEL
has effected in the community infinitely more
than all laws and social regulations otherwise
could have accomplished.