The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-06-07

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pitcher of spirits was filled and emp
tied again and again Songs were sung
and tales were told till the noisy revelry
within the lonely hut almost rivaled the
dash of the rain and the scream of the
blast without.
"Towards morning each took to boast
ing of his powers of doing this thing or
that thing, and among other things, Sim
mons, who'd been when mere boy sort
of acrobat at circus, boasted of his pow
ers of jumping.
"Now,' he said, supposing the traps
were about me, and you was one of 'emy
I'd clear short man like you at a bound
and provided you weren't armed, I'd
defy dozen like you to catch me-" a.
The Tinman, who was bumptious in
his cups denied this.
Why" said he, "if you was to try to
leap over me, as you say, I'd just up with
my arms and pin your two thread. paper
legs So"
He illustrated his words by action, but
Simmons only laughed.
Nonsense! I'd skim over you as q
swallow skins over bit o'water. You
rs.,e5S woutan't even touch my shadow as I
"The Tinman, drinking more rum,
grew angry.
"Pd like to see you try it. You're
more of grasshopper than properly
built man, that's what you are. Comey
I'll bet you this good watch thatyou don't
jump clean over me as l stand now, back
toward you"
Watch be hanged says Simmons. I
bet you a bottle of rum against the bowie
you've got in your belt that l clear
short chap like you, hold up your hands
as high as you can, at jump, only give
me the run of few yards"
"Donew And drawing the Bowie
knife from his belt, the b ush-ranger laid
it on the table"
Cannon v' observed Bill, who had
listened with much attention to the story
It's thing as Leotard, Or any o'them
springy chaps couldn't do"
It's only a trick" replied Mr. Blake
ia mere circus trick-which every
clown in the ring understands. Here,
I'll show you how it's done in minute
that is, Pll show you how Simmons
must have done it, according to my be-
lief"
With ready obedience Bill stood up,
and turned his back to the operator.
II suppose that's how the Tinman
stood 2"
az should fancy just so. Raise your
arms little above the level of your
head That's it. Throw them back a
little, and l will show you how the trick
was DONE"
Bill, following every direction raised
his hands high over his head, then let
them decline slightly in the direction Of
his new friend.
The latter, taking Bills wrists in his
hand, brought them gently together.
"This is how the thing must have
been done," he said. "Simmons must
have taken advantage of position that
placed the bush-ranger absolutely in his
power to draw pair of handouts from
his pocket, and before the other could
make a movement, slip them on So"
The thing was done in an instant and
before the cracksman could well realize
the fact he found himself seated in one
of the chairs, his hands fettered, and his
captor, calm and smiling, standing over
him.
"What do you mean by all this.?"
Bill gasped out at last, looking about him
with bewildered amazement. Is it
joke p
GA capital joke!" replied the other
1t was l who tried the same joke On
the Tinman, and it succeeded capitally."
"You?"
"At that time belonged to the colo
NAL police, now Pm Mr., Inspector Sim
mons. My address is Scotland Yard,
and I'm very much at your service"
Teaching Dutciman.