The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-08-19

climbed up one after another, the beast $
back heightened out, till by-and-by it held
twenty four of them!
Come, now, say twenty-three.
ats all very well for you to laugh, but
that horse was the Drat, and as soon as he
had his load, he made for the pool, and all
the poor little devils"
"Were drowned? That's nothing to
laugh at"
"NO, were saved by a very piOus old
woman who was passing, and just had time
to make the sign of the cross. Then the
Drat gave a caper, shook all the boys of,
without hurting them, and disappeared"
"What flash of lightning and smell
of birthstone"
Nov, what do you say to that ?"
Il should like to have seen il"
RamOunet | wonder how you can talk
so. when the Drat is just next door tous, as
one may say, and perhaps hears you talk
ing ~, 49,, -
no / won't either-but I'll tell you good
stroke OF work know about i'm this very
vilage-next door, as you call it-that
all the drafts and devils in the world won't
hinder me from having try at.
"A good stroke of work."
"Just so, and, as you are good fellow
I'll let you in for half of it, and cure you OF
your Drat at the same time. Only you
promise to keep it q secret"
Trust ME for that"
well now, brother, suppose you cOult
get your stock for nothing, and still sci
your meat at retail for the same price
you'd make more profit, wouldn't you?"
"Of course. But how could II"
al know how"
what" and the cOvetOus butcher
drew closer to- his fellow -tradesman, who
dropped his voice mysteriously, and. con
tinued
There's a pound full of sheep near the
village"
| well"
"In that pound there is shepherd to
take care Of them"
"Just -"
| "I know for sure that this chap, instead
of staying at his post all night, goes tO
court girl at the other end of the vii
lage; Eli! What do you say to that"
Il don't understand, exactly"
more stupid, you. Don't you see that
while the watch is away, two handy men
like you and me, can slip into the pound
pick out 4 good, fat sheep, carry him of
II
him? N0,e do you understands"
| Yes, but-but-that isn't all right-in
fact, it is-stealing-isn't it,"
| "Mere prejudice. Ivernet, don't you
know that what you call stealing was
| highly honorable among the Spartans, who
| were a great people Of ancient Greece ?"
| You don't say so -
Besides, don't want to draw you into
| bad action. Quite the contrary. Some
scOundrels might take advantage Of this
| shepherds absence and clean out the
| whole pound in night But, if the own
ers lose one sheep, it will put them Oh
their guard, SO we shall really be doing
them good turn"
"You arc quite right. But then
"But what: ?"
| 1.-THE Drat was out this morning, and =
no, Ramounet, it won't do. Better say nc
| more about it.
"As you like; can find somebody elst
to help me-"
Dear met It's pity to lose such {
net profit. If only knew"
| Now, my friend you are too ridiculous
If your Drat is such a terrible fellow, why
hasn't he ever come down upon me, wh'
do nothing but laugh at him from morn
ing to night."
"Thats true. Why doesn't hep"
"And, besides, if there's any risk, it
for me, because it's my advice"
"TO be sure-yOu advise me-"
i Exactly. Come, now, it's hardly NOR
than league We go at eleven O'Clock
and can be back early in the morning. IT.
settled, isn't t.'
Eyes; it's settled | go in"
And the butchers parted.
Ivernet addressed special prayer to hi
patron saint To keep out of temptation
No, but to keep him out Of danger i'm hi
expedition. The men met, and started a
the appointed time. 1t was warm night
and they took nearly an hour to reach tin
village. When they had arrived at tn
farther end of it, Ivernet was, or professe'
to be, somewhat htigued.
Never mind" said RamOunet, Zone o
us ought to stay here, for fear our ma
should come back too soon; do you stay
while go to the pound and fetch tn
sheep"
Ivernet made face at the idea. "Sta,
here by the church yard?"
Would you rather go to the pOun
yourself?"
what! Alone i'm the conrtry?"
"Nonsense, YOU cOward!' 0Ilaime
RamOunet, losing his patience "Sta
there, where you are; if you see anything
| whistle, to let me know"
And off he started. Poor Ivernet wa
left alone, whether he chose or not, wit
only his fears to keep him company. Il
be sure, they made a pretty large troop.
Il On the other side Of the road, opp0st
the church and the church yard, was tin
house Of Jacques POriel, the sexton. N
{ one lived with him but his wife Madeleine
who had been the ornament of his life fo
many years. This night, as usual, the
were sleeping quietly. But the butcher
had not long separated when the good wit
! awoke, sat up, listened and gasped
was low, but wicrd and awful SCUM
4 which she heard. Trembling and terrified
she shook her husband;
Jacques! Jacques!"
than awake.
do you hear that noise in the cburcl
yard."
" Wha-at." and he rubbed his eyes.
GOOD Lord! something is munching
Christians bones there"
9 "Pll put your bones there, you old poos,
if you don't leave me alone"
, With which amiable answer. he tprn.
round, and tried to go to sleep again.
you old sOt, retOrted his lovely snous
! almost forgetting her fear in her indign,
ton, its you that have brought the Bra
upon u.s. There he isl!
Z At the name of the Drat, the sexto
, started up in bed He listened, and hear
the same noise which his wife had hear
e already.
Crunch, crunch, crunch
: IL xvas onoochlaoo with torror