Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
The Fool and the IEIghwayman.

Never heard of Redmond O'Hanlon, the
Irish highway robber? Well, that's sur
prising. Your English Turpins and
French Duyals couldn't held candle to
our highwaymsn. But for all his shrewd-
ness he met with his match once, and I'll
tell you how it was.
Redmond was a fine, strapping, gen.
| tlemanly fellow, and devoted admirer of
the ladies-as where is the Irishman that
is not ? and what is more, friend to the
poor I; and you'll admit when 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 be gave 10
his own robberies. Every eusrterday,
this gentleman, or one of bis servants
sometimes more than one-used to take
journey of six or seven miles TO collect
his rents, and as regular as clockwork
there was Redmond O'Hanlop, with some
stout companions if necessary, to waylsy
the collector as he returned home. Every
means was used to elude him, but to DO
purpose. He had spies everywhere, and
contTived to get the exact information be
needed in advance.
So one qUsrterday, when the gentle
mans servants asked him about going for
the renta he swore at O'Hanlon, and said
be didn't see the Use Of collecting money
to hand it over to him.
Now this gentleman h Il on his estate d.
hog called Jerry TIA Fool" Who had tn,
run oF tie hou--. and made fun for the
family. He mad Il great cone. II for him
-elf. anI when L. hs-T1 what the ma=t.r
-iIi. a. Immediately ,.sk-a to be allowed
10 go after TIE rents for once, and declared
he would know the way To bring them
safe home. Os coarse he was only l4ugh-
ed at but when he Represented that no
harm would come from trying, as he
couldn't do worse than all who had gone
4 before him, the master agreed to humor
/ him. Upon that, Jerry made such pre-
| partitions az he thought suitable, chose
! he worst horse in the etable-an old hack
half blind and tbree.quarterz lame-and
started On his enterprise. Nothing oc-
Cured on the way. He collected con-
siderable amount OF money. carefully dis
posed il about his person, and started
| honeward Toward evening, a. he was
quietly Jogging along on the old hack,
and was just entering a long lane with
high hedges on each side, a tall, fne-look-
/ ing man rode up TO him on a handsome
roam mare.
God save you, my man = says the gem
tleman.
'Ged save your honor = replies Jerry.
Whats your name, my msn? asked
the gentleman.
Jerry. the Fool, and I amt ashamed
of IT. What's yours 2
i The gentleman toek no notice of the
question. After while be says:
That's a fine animal you're riding,
Jerry
Faith, I'm glad your hoher likes it,
says Jerry, but it isn't myself that'd care
TO take a lease of his life. But he'd serve
my turn anyway, for it's not in hurry
I'm traveling-Tve only been TO the viii
lage beyond to collect the masters rents
for him.
Surely he's not such fosl ss to trust
you with such job?'
'Arrab, why not? asks Jerry in great
surprise.
why, don't you know that Redmond
! O'Hanlon's on this road ?
/ Redmond O'Hanlon, is it" saws Jerry.
Ugh! That for Redmond O'HanlOn =
says he. swapping his fingers. Fax. Jer-
ry the Fool is match for half a dozen
the likes Of him, any day of the week
and Sunday into the bargain
The stranger laughed, and they rode in
silence till they came to q very lonely part
of the road, when be drew a brace of
pistols, and told Jerry to hand over all
the money be had about him. or he'd try
If be had any brains by sending a couple
of bullets through his head.
'Meala murther.' rosrs Jerry, in tone
of surprise aud fright. You don't mean
to say your honor's Redmond O'H4nlon "
Il do indeed. So hand over, my man.
and lsok sharp about it
But, faix, its kilt entirely by the mas
ter I'll be if go home without the riut.'
whats that to me 2 said O'HanlOn.
Anyhow said Jerry, L must show
them that / had numbering fight for il.
Perhaps your honor wouldn't mind firing
, a shot through my old beaver O'Han-
lon did so, laughing at the trick.
And now another through the breast
of nv coat, and Heaven bless you.' This
was done. Now, just one in the skirt of
II, and good luck to your honor
But I've discharged both of my pistols,
and don't want the trouble of loading
them again for you
Fax, / should dearly like shot
through the skirts; it would show L
fought desperate. Are You sure your
honor hasn't another pistol in your pocket
that you wouldn't mind firing for poor
. boys sake ?
'Confound you'll To be sure have.
Hand over this money, or III beat you TO
Jelly with nv horsewbip.'
Well says Jerry, after good deal OF
| fumbling. Il suppose, considering the
trouble I've had in collecting these rents,
your honor won't mind the little bother
of going over the hedge after them z
3 And he threw over a sack apparently
= well filed with coin. Half laughing, half
angry. the bigbwsymsr-frst aiming at
Jerry with his whip, which be avoided by
ducking-dismounted, and climbing over
? the hedge, and no sooner had he done 80
than Jerry clipped off the old hack AID
I mounted O'Hsplon's horse.
Bad scran to you. Redmond O'Hsn-
lon he bawIed Didn't tell you Jerry
the Fool was a match for a dozen Of you z
! It's seek of brass buttons yon're gone
over the hedge after. you thief Of tho
world ? Aud touching the fine mare
with the spur, he galloped off, singing a.
the ton Of bis voice the old melody, 60
q TO the mischief and shake yourself :,
O'Haulon couldn't pursue him on the
hack; the cute fool hsd made him ci--
charge his pistols. There was nothing
: for ii but TO walk away, cursing bis own
. stupidity, and ever after If any one want
ed TO provoke him, they bad only 10 eek
him when be had last seen Jerry the Fool.
A learned patron of Louisville coal
: dealer has administered TO the coal man a
4 savere rebnke for writing "cannel coal"