Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-09-23

Redmond OIIanlon, the Irish highway rob
ber? Well, that's surprising. Your English
Turpins and French Duvals couldn't hold a eau
die to our highwayman. But for all his shrewd-
ness he met his match once, and I'll tell you
how it was Redmond was a fine, strapping,
gentlemanly fellow and devoted admirer of the
ladies-as where is an lrshman that is not2-
and what is more n friend to the poor-as you
will admit that his demands for cash were only
made on persons who could well afford them
and he delighted in forcing contributions from
those who had the name of hard landlords to
their tenants. There was one Of this class whom
Redmond never lost an opportunity of taxing
for sometimes more than one--used to take a
journey of six miles to collect his rents,
and as regular MS clock work there was Redmond
. O'llanlon, with some stout companions, if nee
essary, to waylay the collector as he returned
home. Every means was used to eludc him. but
to no purpose. lie had spies everywhere, and
contrived to have the exact information he need
ed in advance.
80 one quarter-day, when the gentlemans
servants asked him about going for the rents, he
s0ore at 0 O'llNnlon, and said he didn't see the
use of collecting money to hand over to him.
Now this gentleman had on his estate boy
called Jerry the Fool" who had the run of
the house and made fun for the family. He had
a great concet for himself, and when he heard
what the master said he Immediately asked to
be allowed to 60 after the rents for once, and he
declared that he would know the way to bring
them straight home. OF course he was only
laughed at; but when he represented that no
harm could come from trying, he couldn't do
worse than all who had gone before him, the
master agreed TO humor him. Upon that Jerry
made such preparations rs he thought suitable,
chose the worst horse in the stable--an old hack
half blind and three-quarters lame-and started
on his way. Nothing occurred ON the way. He
collected u considerable sum Of money, careful
ly deposited it about his person and started
homeward. Toward evening, as he was quietly
jogging along on the old hack, and was just en-
tering n long lane, with high hedges on each
side, tall, fine looking man rode up to him, on
a handsome roam mare.
"God save you my man." says the gentle
man.
"God save your honor" replies Jerry.
"What's your name, my man." asked the
gentleman.
GERRY the Fool, and | amt ashamed of it,
What's yours ?"
The gentleman took notice of the question,
After awhile he says:
"That's fine animal you re riding Jerry"
II ~
said Jerry "but it isn't myself that'd care to
have lease of his life. But he d serve my turn
anyway, for it is not in hurry Pm travelling
Fve been to the village beyond to collect the
masters rent for him,
"Surely, he's not such a fool as to trust you
with that jobY
"Arrah, why not p asked Jerry in great sur
prise.
"Why, don't you know that Redmond O'Ian
lon is on this road ?'
"Ugh That for Redmond OIIanlon - said
he, swapping his fingers. " Faix Jerry the Fool
is match for half dozen Of the likes of him
any day in the week"
The stranger laughed and then rode on in ST.
ience till they came to Il very lonely part of the
road, when he drew a 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
a couple of bullets through his head.
&" Meala murther !" roared Jerry in a tone of
surprise and fright =" You don't mean to say
that you honor's Redmond o 'IIanlon?'
~ do, indeed So hand over, my man, and
look sharp about it,"
4" But, faix, it's kilt entirely by tue master I'll
be if go home without the riut"
Well, what's that to me ?" said o IIanlon.
"Anyhow," said Jerry, " must show them
that had a mutherin fight for it. Perhaps, |
now, your honor wouldn't mind firing shot
through my old beaver"
O'Hanlon did so, laughing at the trick.
"And now another, plase, through the breast
of my coat, aud Heaven will bless you" This