Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-04-04

tertainment went on in real Irish style.
Shortly afterwards Scott excused NM
self for q few moments and had short
consultation with his head groom.
s'Saddle Grapeshot, +" washis last order
before returning to his guest, and take
him down to the fir clump.
II wondher PLAT masther is up to!
said the groom to fellow servant
''It's more than | know, Sham" re-
piled the other. but he's up to some
of his Jokes with Misther Hunt.
''Arrah! is he now?" said the
groom. Thin it's meself that hopes
that he will take some av the cOnsate
ont av him.
The groom then proceeded to carry
out his masters orders.
On rejoining his friends, Scott found
that Hunt-who had long distance to
reach his home-was preparing for a
start and had ordered his dog cart.
Another tumbler of punch :" said
Scott. who was anxious to gain time
''another tumbler, Hunt, and then you
shall go"
Very well, Scott" replied his friend.
But you must not forget our bet |
wonder if | shall ever have chance of
winning it?'
Never fear-I shall keep it in my
mind was the answer.
Hunts dog cart was now reported
ready, and after finishing his punch, he
rose to wish his friend good night.
Hunt left the house, and was soon
heard outside looking to his pistols and
other weapons of his 'armOry. This
done he started III his dog cart, and
drove down the long and dreary avenue
leading from SCOTS house. 1t was very
dark, so that he could not see many
yards before him. Suddenly he noticed
man on horseback riding towards
him.
What or who could it be ? Probably
the the police patrol. He was, how
ever, soon informed.
"SthOp!" exclaimed the hOrseman,
in a rich brogue, riding up to Hunt and
leveling a pistol at his head ''Sthop,
or I'll put daylight through your big
carcass.
Hunt pulled up all in tiutter and be
gan feeling for a pistol, his nervousness
showing how much use it would be
when he found it.
"HullO!" cried the highwayman, ave
We don't kape yer hands aft that pistol
box, I'll blow the brains ov we out this
minnt. Come, Misther Hunt, | want
any little silver or gould We may have;
We may kape the notes. Come, sir, git
down and hould yer horses head while
l take look. Quick, Mr.. Hunt, the
pathcrOle ii be around soon; down wild
We
Trembling with fear, did as he was
desired, and gave up his money and his
watch to the robber, while he permitted
him to search his dog cart for arms.
But what was the unfortunate Hunts
establishment when he saw the thief de-
liberately take out the pistols and cool
ly fire them off, one by one in quick
succession.
Hunt was completely dumbfounded
at this audaCity. The fellow would
alarm the neighborhood, and very like
ly bring down the cOnstabulary, or
military. who were at no great distance.
Nor was he mistaken, for SCOTS guests
hearing the discharge of firearms, af-
ter calling in vain for their host, seized
every imaginable weapon they could
find in the hall, and rushed down the
avenue. there to behold the eXtraOrlina-
ry scene formed by Hunt, the robber
and their horses.
Hunt could not understand the rob
bcr's quietly remaining to be arrested,
and naturally supposed that he must
have some assistance at hand.
But the mystery was soon solved, as
the highwayman, bursting into a fit of
laughter, exclaimed, "Hassett, my boy,
hand over the Cash--Ive won my bet
See I've cleaned out Hunt with this"
So saying, SCOtt-fOr it was he-held
up the kcy Of his han door!
The burst Of laughter that followed
this discovery was only equaled by the
chagrin of the unfortunate victim Of
practical joking. At first he was furious
but his courageous character had suf-
fered 50 severely that his anger only
canSpd more mcrrimcnt
Gomez come" said Scott, you are
my prisoner. and must return with me.
Everything is fair in war or in love, and
had right to take my own means to
win my bet
The others Joined their host in max
ing peace, and Hunt was brought back
10 the house; but his reputation fer
bravery was gone forever.
"Arrah Shan, didn't the masthcr do
it natc:' said the indoor servant, join
ing the groom who was making up
Grapeshot after his master had returned
from his nights amusement.
An yer right, Mick" replied Sham.
He did it beautiful But tell me how
Hunt looks p
AS cowed as a whipped cur"
Thin I'm glad of that samc-f0r he
has been hecthoring Of it long enough
It's always COOL to put down boosters.