The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-06-28
A Clever Capture.

tive force once related to us u clever cap.
ture, effected by himself, Of daring
thief, who had more than once escaped
from prison. The inspector himself had
had considerable experience, and tracked
his man to low public house and, un.
der prctence Of being an old thief himself
threw his companion off his guard by re.
lating anecdotes. He was warned him.
self, and knew that the real burglar
who was known to the fraternity as "Bill
the Cracksman"-ha a revolver in his
breast pocket, with the use of which he
was thoroughly acquainted and the
question was how to arrest him single.
handed. Story followed story, and re.
miniscence reminisccnce, till Bill and hi,
companion--who called himself Jerry
Blake-became as thick as mem
ber' of the formers profession are prov
erbially supposed to become.
"Now," said Mr.. Blake, after pause
"a last hit of anecdote, I'll show you how
Joe the Tinman was took. He'd sworr
as there wasn't any man in the colony OF
out of it as would take him single-hand.
ed. Well. as the reward for his capture
was heavy one, chap named Simmons
who was then one of the mounted police
determined to try it on. So what does
he do, knowing some of Joe's haunts, bu,
bribes a 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 so. 1t was hut
where Joe was accustomed to call when
he wanted to pick up news, or to get a
fresh supply of rum, for the stockman had
been a convict like himself and pal of
his but pal or no pal, he sold Joe this
time, and no mistake"
"I'd have blown his brains out it I'd
been Joe," observed the cracksman. with
a savage oath.
81 honor your sentiments" responded
Mr.. Blake land from what | know OF
Joe he shared 'em. But, you see, when
he looked in one night at the hut, no
stockman was there; but in his place
Simmons, looking the very pictur' of a
rough shepperd, was seated over the fire
making his tea and cooking damper
"Hilloa where's the stockman here -
asked Joe, stalking into the hut and ap-
preaching the fire for Joe wasn't afraid
of the devil himself. Besides. he was all
stuck round with sx-shooters and bowie.
knives, so that he was caution to look
at.
Where's the stockman ~ says he.
Simmons only looked up for minute
and then went on cooking his damper.
"He's gone.
"Gone where-dead ?"
Pretty nigh it. He's down at the sta
tion with marsh fever. I've been ordered
up here in his place"
"And who may you be, mate, wher
you's at home asked Joe savagcly, for he
was disappointed at losing his friend
when I'm at home said Simmons
still busy with his damper, if by HON,
means England, l might be Lord mayor
or Chancellor Of the Exchequcr, for auy
chance l have of getting back there but
being here where am, I'm only a Jail
bird, like your mate.
Joe who wasn't accustomed to bolt
speaking of this kind stepped back
mace or two, and laid his hand on six
shooter.
who do you take me for?' he aske'
with an oath.
Il don't take you for any one but you
proper or your improper self said Sim
mons, quite unmoved. and filling two til
mugs with the sweetened tea.
And Who am II
Joe the Tinman.'
Joe handled his pistol as one prepared
for action, but Simmons burst into
laugh.
Leave of handling your barking-iron
he said, 'and take the mug of tea I'd ad
wise you to put taste of rum in it, TO
the nights a nipper. You know wher
the bottle is, so make no bones about il
When Old Mike THAT was the name @
the stockman sent me up) was here i
his place, didn't forget to say who was hi
friends and his best customers.
All this was said in so easy and con,
Portable way that the bushranger wa
thrown off his guard and no wonder 70
Simmons was tall, thin, young feller q
that time, and the tinman, besides beinl
armed to the teeth, was middle-aged, short
thick set, and with the muscular devel
opment of bull. The hut was mile
from any other habitation, and the nigh
what with wind and rain, was screamel
so, Joe the Tinman and Simmons 'th
trap sat down to their tea together, an
jolly night I've heard, they had of il
The pitcher of spirits was filed an
empticd again and again. Songs wer
sung and tales were told till the nois
revelry within the lonely hut almost riva
ed the dash of the rain and the scream {
the blast without.
Toward morning each took to boastin
of his powers of doing this thing or tina
thing, and among other things, Simmon
who'd been when mere boy sort {
acrobat circus, boasted of his powers {
jumping.
! Now he said, 'supposing the traI
were about me, and you was one OF en-
I'd clear short man like you at boun
and, provided you wern't armed, Id def
dozen like you to catch me-
The Tinman, who was bumptious in h
cups, denied this
Why said he, if you was to try
: leap over me as you say I'd just up wit
my arms and pin your two threadpap'
legs So
He illustrated his words by action, ,bl
? Simmons only laughed
! Nonsense I'd skim over you as
swallow skins over a bit owater. Yo
e wouldn't even touch my shadder as pas
ed
The Tinman, drinking more rum gre
!. angry.
!, ia like to see you try it. You
: more of grass hopper than proper
= built man, that's what you are Con