The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-29
A SMUGGLER FOR ONCE.

gate OF my little garden, gioomiiy thuA
ing over the badness Of trade. was
what they call in our parts a "Jouster'
that is kept q horse and cart, and went
about the country jousting or selling fish,
For several weeks there had been moth
ing doing indeed, so bad season had
not been known for years, and my wife
Mary. the old horse and myself were get
ting unpleasantly near starvation.
could have borne this If had TO bear it
alone; but Mary had been a valued ser
want in the parsons family and not used
TO roughing it, and it cut me to the hear:
10 see how thin and pale she was getting
ior want Of the necsssarics of life which
] did not know how to get. Poor girl
weak "a she was, she was the bravest OF
the two. Many time when | was oil
most in despair her loving arms would
no thrown round my neck, and she would
bid mo cheer up and bear my troubles like
a man; and / have answered that if
could bear them as patiently as woman,
il would do better still.
While standing at the gate, puzzling
myself what to try that | hadn't tried
already, | saw Tom Davies cousin of
mine, coming along the lane, looking as
sleek and comfortable as well-groomed
horse 1t had always been mystery to
me how Tom lived, for let trade be ever
30 bad, he never seemed to suffer, but was
we'll clothed, and looked Jolly and happy.
Tie was always civil, but as he stopped
now to give me time of day, he noticed
how queer look ed and though I'm not
given to talking of M troubles, his sym
patty loosened my tongue, and | told him
how there wasn't morsel OF bread in the
cupboard, and didn't know how to put
any there.
Tie took few whihb OF the short pipe
be wns smoking, cycling me hard the
while. and then told me that if | could
Keen a secret, he thought he could put
me in the way Of earning tribe. ! was
ready to promise anything when ] heard
this AMI when assured him that would
be rs secret rs the grave, be babe me bring
my old horse to Riders Cave on the fol-
lowing night. punctually At twelve lie
would bc there to meet me, bat | was to
ask no questions There might be triHe
Of risk in what should have to do but
nothing wrong ut least. Tom saw no harm
in it. though others might
It's smuggling" | said TO myself and
thought OF Mary, who would sooner die
than know me TO do anything that was
not iUft right. | was about TO say no to
Tom offer but Marys wan face rose up
heior, me. and az remembered how biting
want was dragging her down to her grave,
J grow desperate
IN your man, Tom, Iisk or no risk.
III br there tony time. never fear me-"
H. graspei the hand held oat, left n
chilling in it, and with nod walked on,
ieefur me with weight or my con
science that had never rested upon ii be-
fore II that day and the next, could
moi meet Marys eye without feeling as
il ! were hiding q crime from her.
W hon evening came | told her was
wanted for little job of moving at the
next village, and should not be home till
latr She never doubted the tale, but
i v,
leading old Bob by the bride, and fancy
in that Lad never seen n darker night,
ncy beard the wind mean so dismally be-
fore.
Riders Cave is situated in one of the
most lonely parts Of the Cornish coast. and
there is not house withia Il couple OF
miles OF the spot After riding Tor about
hal; as hour, | came out Of the lanes on
10 sho bench and another mile or SO al0nc
the foot Of the ellis brought me to The
;lc cGve. Is rode into il heard voice
sly rlgtiously. "Ail right, John the at
vi. h1 here directly: ;" and | was NOT sor-
r. to find Tom Davies mounted ona cob
Ilan.s ~ Of me.
Handing me a flask with some brandy
il il Ac babe me take u nip at the same
time telling me with no little gce that
the coasiCs were mapping, and we
should do them jolly ...-I
nfler waiting come few minutes we
heard The regular click of oars in the row.
locks. followed by the grazing of boat
keel eli the Single
cells strapped on either side of the horses
then with scarcely word spoken we Sc.
or; Tom giving me instructions where
to leave my load. and adding that i. would
De as well TO part rs soon us we got off the
beach
Away we went, but only to find ont first
= ust us We quilted the shore-that the
Coast-guardsmen were not mapping after
all; two Of them sprang upon us from
behind boulder, and clutchod ut the
horses brides: but the creatures swerved
and that saved us.
Spur FOR your life " rnuttered Tom il
my ear ut tho same moment riding lii
staunch little cob righ. ct the mon, saw
one Of them roll over Cd the sand. while
the Other jumped aside shouting to us I,
stop but we never paused until We wer,
some distance down the lane leading from
the beach Then Tom pulled up. Nv,
must pert now" he said Keep to the
right and ride hard. for they will cat yor