Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-10-12
The Fool and the Highwayman

prising. Your English Turpins and
French Duvals couldn't hold candle to
our highwayman But for all his ahrewd-
ness he met his match once, and I'll tell
you how it was. " eG
Redmond was a fine, strapping, gentle
manly fellow, and devoted admirer of
the ladies-as where Is the Irfshman that
is not? und what is more, a friend to the
poor; as you'll admit, when l tell you
that his demands for cash were only made
on persons who could well afford to meet
them, and that he delighted in forcing
contributions from those who had the
name of hard landlords to their tenants.
| There was one of this class whom Red
mond never lost an opportunity of taxing
for that was the polite name he gave to
has own robberies. Every quarter day, this
gentleman, or one of his servants-some
times more than one-used to take ajour
ney of six or seven miles to collect his
rents, and as regular as clock work there
was Redmond o Hanlon, with some stout
companions, if necessary, to waylay the
collector as he returned home. Every
means was used to elude him, but to no
purpose. He had spies everywhere, and
contrived to get the exact information he
needed in advance.
SO one quarter day, when the gentle
mans servants asked him about going for
the rents, he swore at O'Hanlon, and said
he didn't see the use Of collecting money
to hand it over to him
Now this gentleman had on his estate a
boy called Jerry the Fool" who had the
run of the house, and made fun for the
family He had great conceit of him
self, and when he heard what the master
said he Immediately asked to be allowed
to go after the rents for once, and declared
he would know the way to bring them
safe home. OF course he was only laugh
ed at; but when he represented that no
harm would come from trying, as he
couldn't do worse than ali that had gone
before him, the master agreed to humor
him. Upon that, Jerry made such pre-
parations rs lie thought suitable, chose the
worst horse in the stable-an old hack,
half blind and three-quarters lame-and
started on his enterprise. Nothing oc-
Cured on the way He collected con-
siderable amount of money, carefully de-
posted it about his person, and started
homeN ard. Toward evening, as he was
quietly jogging along on the old hack, and
was just entering a long Jane, with high
hedges on each side, a tail, fine-looking
man rode up to him on handsome roam
mare.
God save you, my man. says the gen
tleman.
God save your honorl' replies Jerry
whats your name, my han?" asked
the gentleman.
Jerry the Fool, and l amt ashamed OF
it. What's yours"
The gentleman took no notice of the
question After while he says, "That'>
fine animal your riding, Jerry"
Faith, I'm glad your honor likes it,
says Jerry; but it isn't myself that'd care
to take lease of his life. But he'd serve
my turn anyway, for it's not in hurry
I'm traveling-I've only been to the vii
lage beyond to collect the masters rents
for him"
Surely he is not such fool as to trust
you with that job?"
"Arrah, why not?' asked Jerry, il
great surprise.
"Why don't you know that Redmond
O'Hanlon's on this road?'
Redmond O'Hanlon, is 1t" says Jerry
Ugh! That for Redmond O'Hanlon =
says he, swapping his fingers. "Faix
Jerry the Fool is a match for half adozen
of the likes of him any day in the week
and Sunday into the bargain.''
The stranger laughed, and they rode
in silence until they came to very lone
ly part of the road, when he drew brace
of pistols, and told Jerry to hand over all
the money he had about him, or he'd try
if he had any brains by sending couple
of bullets through his head.
"Meala Murther," roars Jerry in tone
of surprise and fright. ''You don't
mean to say your honor is Redmond
O'Hanlon?"
Il do indeed; so hand over, my man
and look sharp about it."
But, faix, it's killed entirely by the
, master will be if go home without the
rent"
"What is that to me?" said O'Han-
Ion.
"Anyhow," said Jerry, 81 must show
him that had murtherin fight for it
Perhaps your honor wouldn't mind firing
shot through my old beaver" O'IIanloI
did so, laughing at the trick.
"And now another through the breast
of r1y coat, and Heaven bless you" This
: was done. Nov, just one in the skir
of 1t, and good luck to your honor"
"But I've discharged both my pistols
l and don't want the trouble of loading
them again for YOU"
"Faix,. | should dearly like a shot
through the skirts; it would show that
; fought desperate. Are you sure your hon
or hasn't another pistol in your pocke
, that you wouldn't mind firing for poo
boys saleg''
/ 'To be sure I haven't Hand over tina
money, or III beat YOU to jelly with my
. horsewhip."
"Well," says Jerry, after good deal o
| fumbling, 81 suppose, considering th,
/ trouble I've had in collecting these rints
/. your honor won't mind the little bother