The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-16

wagons in a high state of excitement.
Whats up, Nichols ?" said 1.
"Hush !" said he; "come and look at
this tarnal critter stealin' of old Schnei-
der's hoss."
I crept carefully to his side, and true
enough, there was man stripping off
the harness, which he took great pains
to lay up on the wagon.
Said Nichols quietly, changing his
quid to the other cheek, "Tbere's suthin
curious about that ere team. He can't
coax one of them ar HOSES to leave
tother."
And so it came to pass that as we
looked we saw the matter clearly de-
monstrated. And surely that was
comical horse thief. After laying off the
harness, which occupied about half an
hour, he began to examine the fine
points of the animal. He looked in his
mouth, rubbed down his legs, lifted up
his feet to examine his shoes then step
ping back few PAGES, he apparently
wished to take in all the good points at
once.
SAID Nichols in whisper, "I reckon
he'll find considerable many good points
about that ere hoss, specially bout the
ribs"
1t was perhaps as worthless an animal
as could be found in the street.
At last, apparently satisfied as to its
intrinsic value, our hero essayed to
mount; he made desperate efforts to get
astride the beast by grasping the name,
and throwing himself in various atti-
tudes, hut all in vain; finally Chamber
ing upon a wagon he gave heavy
lurch, and with one tremendous effort
he was on, and over, and there he lay
sprawling, muttering curses not loud
but deep. Soon, however, his attention
was attracted by loud gnffaw from
Nichols, who could contain himself no
longer.
az say, stranger, you're the darnedest
critter to overreuch I've met with since
I've been in York. I'll bet high there's
nothing in Welch's circus ken tech
candle to your performance"
Meantime we were walking up to our
man, who sat on the ground where he
had fallen. He was very gentlemanly
appearing fellow, young and handsome;
and thought saw beneath his over
coat glimpse of an undress navy uni
form. AS to his nationality we were not
long in doubt, as he addressed Nichols
"'Ow are you, governor! hand 'ow's
the missus, hand the little kids hat
| 'omel"
"No trifin'," said Nichols; "when 1
get really riled, l haint the pleasantest
chap to deal with. What on airth was
you tryin' for to do with this hoss I"
"Hi don't call tkat hanimal an 'orse,
but han hass. Blast my buttons, but
he's halmost broke my harm, and
smashed my fgure-'ead. Hi don't want
to go aloft again in that crazy 'ulk."
Nichols eyed him with quizzical ex-
preston for moment, and then broke
OUT
"Waal, stranger, you're the darnedest,
oncommonest specimen of horse-thief
that it's been my fortune to set eyes on
lately. Mebbe you would be kind
enough to tell us what you was goin' to
do with this ere animal, eff you could
hev stayed on his back?"
"Honly bit of lark. Hi come ho-
yer with the lads to ave jolly go of it;
hevery one got drunk but me, and some
where they lost me thought I'd make a
night of it concluded to take ride !;
deuced hextensive stud this chap has /;
who can hit bep Most hextraordinary
coincidence that should ave met you
just as was about to ride"
Looking towards the old market, that
loomed up in the darkness, he remarked: I:
"Devillsh shabby 'ouse this chap has
that howns so many 'orses."
Nichols heard him out and then ex-
claimed:
"Who in thunder are you, and what's
all this yer blowin' about Come along
with me, and Well see about this bit OF
a lark as you call it. Oh, come along !;
it's no use a-drawin' back; when once
get my grapplin' irons fast suthin's got
to come )" at the same time showing his
badge of a special officer, without which
he would have no authority to make an
arrest.
With your true Briton's respect for
law, our man at once altered his tone.
"My dear sir, you don't happrehend
that l wanted to steal the hanimal
No, no; twas honly han unfortunate
hincident."
"Rayther untortnit, I take it; jest you
come on, and yeou can see how we look
ON sech things"
Our friend was getting pretty we'll So
bered by this time, and evidently took
in the situation. Said he:
81 belong to the Navy, second lieu
tenant, H. B. M. 'Macedon.'"
II reckon you belong to me jest now,"
said Nichols, who was somewhat puz-
zled what on airth was you doin' here,
anyhow
"Oh, bless your cart, the governor
took it in is 'ead that 1 was a-sowing
too many wild hoats on the other side
the Hatlantic, and sent me over for my
'ealth. l beg pardon, sir. hexpect 1
hacted foolish, but am no thief" Say
ing which he displayed his uniform.
Atmy suggestion, Nichols was about
to dismiss him, when, in an evil mo-
ment, old Schneider made his appear
ance, accompanied by Mike Doole, an
Irish carrier we'll known on the street.
The Dutchman was in high state OF
excitement as soon as he understood the
matter. "Mein Got in himmel," said
he to the Englishman, "you shall pc
brought NIT de benidentiary for dis, you
tundther wedder Shonny Pull"
"Och, thin, watchman dear, yell sure
ly be afther takin' the miserable thafe
to the station, an hould him till Judge
Brannan sits" .-.-
Said Nichols, al rayther think I1i'let
him go, and eff do it's my affair"
Mike was disappointed; the national
prejudice was strong. The Dutchman
was furious.
"Och, thin, begorra," says Mike, otis