The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-05-08
THEDOUBLE ROBBERY.

were terribly INFESTED by those, TO the DocO
lie mind particularly obnoxious speci
mems Of the genus thief known as 'tiev-
err" or slifters" of cattle.
Almost all the rascals who followed this
unlucretive profession trusted chiefly te
mere brute force to carry out successfully
their nefarious schemes. There was, how
ever, one exception to this rule to be found
in the person Of freebooter, known as
"Dickey Of Kingswood." This worthy
openly expressed his disapprobation Of his
rivals vulgar mode Of following their pro-
fession and repeatedly boosted that he
could achieve twice as much, by his cum
ming as they could by their brute force.
Nor was this assertion Of his mere empty
| boasting-far from it.
In a few years time Dickey's name be-
came the terror of the country side. No
farmer felt secure, when he retired at
night, that his cattle might not have van
ished ere morning. So cleverly, more
over, were all Dickey enterprises conduct
ed, that no man could ever succeed in
making personal acquaintance with him.
He openly set justice at defiance, and
laughed at the futile efforts of the law to
punish him. Perhaps, however, the best
way to illustrate the adroitness and good
luck which characterized all Dickey's
proceedings will be for me to relate the
story Of one Of his exploits.
Itappears, then, that during the course
Of his peregrinations through Northum-
berland one fine afternoon, Dickey's eyes
were gladdened by the sight of pair Of
fine oxen, which were quietly grazing in
a field near Denton Burn, village dis
tant three miles frem Newcastle.
Determined to possess them, Dickey
hung about tao place till nightfall, watch
ed were the animals we're driven to. and
his usual good fortune assisted him
speedily secured his prize. He also con
trived, by the exercise Of his accustomed
cunning, to leave such traces behind him
as made the owner of the oxen certain
that the freebooter had made off toward
the Tweed. Thither he accordingly pro-
ceeded in hot haste. In the interim, how
ever, Dickey had lost no time in making
tracks" toward the west country, and SO
expeditions were his movements, that in a
short time he reached Lanercost in cum
berland. Here he fell in with an old far
mer on horseback, who being delighted
with the appearance Of oxen, forthwith
purchased them.
Dickey was Of course rejoiced at getting
rid so pleasantly Of charge which could
not fail to be troublesome nay, possibly,
dangerous him longer to retain. The
farmer, moreover, was mounted on SPLEEN
ded mare, which Dickey, with his pecu-
liar ideas on the subject of mean and
tenn, at once resolved, by fair means OF
foul, to secure. He, therefore, willingly
accepted the farmers hospitable invitation
to accompany him to his house in order
that they might 'Fcrack" bottle of wine
in honor Of their bargain. Presently
Dickey inquired Of the farmer if he would
sell his mare?
s.Sell my mare" exclaimed the host,
all aghust at this proposition. '.Sell my
mare? No, there's not her equal in the
whole north country!'
II do not doubt it, Mr.. Musgrave," re-
sponded Dickey, "and from what [ saw
Of her PAGES this morning, I'm quite of
your opinion that there's not her equal
within hundred miles Of us but" adj
ded the obsequious Dick, "since you will
not sell her, | can only wish you long life
and good health to enjoy her"
This sentiment was, Of course, duly
honored in bumper.
Il hope, Mr.. Musgrave," next observ-
ed Dickey, 'you keep close look out
after your stable door, because now when
that COMPOUNDED rascal, Dickey Of Kings
bury, is allowed liberty, man cannot be
sure that any fine morning he may not
find his stable empty
"Stable ha hal" chuckled the farm
er. Il think" he continued, chat Dick
ey Of Kingsbury would find it rather diff
cult to steal my mare out Of her stable"
"Indeed where may her stable be sit
uated p inquired Diekey.
"Her stable God bless you sir" an
swered Mr.. Musgrave; cher stable is i'll
my bed room. Pm bachelor, and SO
every night I fasten her to my bedpost
| have had manager put up for her in
my room, and no music is SO pleasant to
me as to hear her grinding her corn all
night by my bedside"
Dickey was astounded- and we'll he
might beat such unheard of precau-
tions but Disgusting his astonishment, he
contented himself by simply expressing
to the farmer his hearty approval Of the
means he adopted to secure the safety Of
his favorite.
Il suppose you have good lock on
your bedroom door," was Dickey's next
Sfeeler."
"Come with me, and [ will show you,"
replied the unsuspecting farmer.
| This was, Of course, just what Diekey
wanted. He examined the lock carefully,
and soon satisfied himself that he could
pick it without difficulty. He, however,
declared to Mr., Musgrave thatit was ',just
the right kind of lock it couldn't have
been better; in fact, it was non pickable. y
Again the loving cup passed round, and
after draining bumper to their "next
merry ne,ting," 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 the
mare to her accustomed post, retired to
bed, and was soon lulled to sleep by the