New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-14
ACLEVEK CAPTURE.

force once related to us clever capture
effected by himself, of daring thief, wbo
had more than once escaped from prison
The inspector himself had had consldera
hle experjence, and tracked his man to q
low public house. and under pretense Of
being an old thief himself threw his COM
panion off his guard by relating anecdotes.
He was unarmed himself and knew that
the real burglar. who was known to the
fraternity as Bill the Cracksman, had
revolver in his breast pocket, with the
use of which he was thoroughly acqualnt-
ed: and the question was how to arrest
him single handed. Story followed story,
and Renaissance "reminiscences, till Bill
and his companion, who called himself
Jerry Blake, became as thick as members
of the formers profession are proverbially
supposed to be. .,. o,,.o
s.as a last bit of anecdote, Ill show you
how Joe the Tinman was took. He'd
sworn as there wasn't any man 10 the col
ony or out of it as would take him single
handed, Well as the reward for his cap
ture was q heavy one, chap named Sim
mons. who was then out OF the mounted
police, determined 10 try it on. SO what
does he do, knowing some of Joe's haun's,
but brides stockman, who lived In a
lonely hut, on the side Of deep gully
among the hills, to let him take possession
of the place for week or 30. 1t was hut
where Joe was accustomed to call when be
wanted to pick up news or to get fresh
supply of rum, Tor the stockman had been
q convict like himself, and pal of his; but
pal or no pal, he sold joe this time, and
no mistake"
"Td have blown his brains out if I'd
.Seen Joe, observed the craftsman, with a
savage oath.
al honor your sentiments" responded
Mr.. Blake; "and from what know OF Joe
he shared 'em. But, you see, when he
looked in one night at the hut, no stock
man was there; but in his place Simmons,
looking the very pictur OF rough
shepherd, was seated over the tire, making
his tea and cooking damper.
".Halloh! where's the stockman here"
asked Joe, stalking into the but, and ap-
proacbing the fire, for Joe wasn't ateared
Of the devil himself. Besides he was all
stuck round with six-shooters and bowie
knives, SO that he was caution to look
At
"'Where's the stockman? says he.
s.Simmons only looked up for minute,
then went on cooking the damper.
"'He's gone
"'Gone where-dead?'
"'Preuy nigh it. He's down at the
station with maj sh fever. I've been or
aered up here in his place
".And who may you be, mate, when
you're at homer asked Joe, savagely. for
he was dissppointe d at losing his friend.
when I'm at home Said Simmons
still busy with his damper; if home means
England, I might be Lord Mayor, or Chan
esllor OF the Exchequrr, for any chance l
have of getting back hire; but being here
where l am, I'm onlya jail-bird, like you,
mate
'.Joe, who wasn't accustomed to bold
speaking of this kind, stepped back pace
or two, and laid his hand on a six shooter.
"Who do you take me for? he asked,
With an oath.
.s.I don't take you for any one but your
proper or your improper self, said Sim
mons, quite unmoved, and filling two tin
nags with the sweetened tea.
Sand who am l
".Joe the Tinman.'
sJoe handled his pistol as one prepared
for action, but Simmons burst into
hugh.
".Leave off handling your barking
iron,' he said. and lake that mug of tea.
I'd advise you to put taste of rum in it,
for the nights pipprr. You know where
the bottle is, so make no bones about it.
When Old Mike THAT was the name of the
stockman) sent me up here in his place,
he didn't forget to say who was his
friends aud best customers
.Ail this was said in SO easy and COM
Portable a way that The bushrsnger Was
thrown off bis ghs:d d; and no wonder, for
Simmons was tall, thin young feler at
that time, and the tinman, beside being
armed to the teeth, was middle-aged,
short, thckset, and with the muscular de-
velopment OF q It'll. The hut Was miles
from any other habitalion, and the night
was scream r.
80 Joe. the tinman. and Simmons, the
trap sat down to their tea together, and
. jolly night I've heard, they bad Of it.
The pitcher of spirits was filled aud emp
tied again and again. Songs were sung
and tales were told till the noisy revelry
within the lonely hu' almost rivaled The
dash of the rain and the scream of the
blast without.
IN 'Toward morning each took to Boosting
Of his powers OF doing this thing or that
thing, and among other ings, Simmons.
who'd been, when O mere boy, q sort of
acrobat at circus, boosted of his powers
o Jumping.
..Now,' be said supposing the traps
were about me-, and you was one of 'em.
ia clear short man like You at bound;