Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-04


met his match for once, and l'll tell you
how it was.
Redmond was fine, strspping, sport
ing, gentlemanly fellow, and a devoted
admirer of the ladieS--as where Is the
Irishman that is not 2-and what is more,
q friend to the poor; as you will admit
when tell you that his demands for cash
were only made on persons who could
well afford them, and that he delighted in
forcing contributions from those who had
the names of hard landlords to their ton
ants. There was one of this class whom
Redmond never lost an opportunity oftax-
ing, for that was the polite name he gave
to his own robberies. Every Quarter-day
this gentleman, or one of his servants
sometimes more than one-used to take a
Journey of six or seven miles to collect his
rents, and as regularly as clock-wOrk there
was Redmond O'IIanlon, with some stout
companions, if necessary, to waylay the
collector as he returned home. Every
means was used to elude him; but to no
purpose. lie had spies everywhere, and
contrived to get the exact information he
needed in advance.
So, on quarter-day, when the gentle
mans servants asked him about going for
the rents he swore at O'Hanlon, and said
he didn't see the use Of collecting money
TO hand over to him.
Now, this gentleman had on his estate
n boy called Jerry the Fool" who had
the run of the house, and made fun for the
family. He had great conceit of him
self, and when he heard what the master
said he Immediately asked to be allowed
to 90 after the rents for once, and he de-
clarsd he would know the way to bring
them safe home. OF course he was laugh
ed at; but when he represented that no
harm would come from trying, as he
couldn't do worse than all who had gone
before him, the master agreed to humor
him. Upon that Jerry made such prepar-
atoms as he thought suitable, chose the
worst horse in the stable, an old hack,
half blind and three quarters Jane, and
started on his enterprise. Nothing occur
red on the way. lie collected consider
able amount of money, carefully disposed
it about his person, and started homeward.
Toward evening, as he was quietly jogging
along on the old hack, and WAS just enter
ing long lane with high hedges on both
sides, o tall, fine-looking man rode up to
him on handsome mare.
"God save you, my man" says the
gentleman.
"God save your honor" replied Jerry
"What's your name, my manf" asked
the gentleman.
Jerry the fool, and amt ashamed o.
it. What's yoursp
The gentleman took no notice of the
question. After awhile he says:
"That's a fine animal you're riding
jerry"
!Faith, I'm glad you likes it," sale
: Jerry, "but it isn't myself that'd care tt
take a lease of his life But he'd serve m.
turn any way, tor it's not in hurry In
: travelling. I've only been to the yillag
beyond to collect the masters rent 70
him.
). "Surely, he's not such fool as to trus
+ you with the job?"
"Arrah, why not'" asked Jerry, in grea
surprise.
"Why, don't you know that Redmon
O'IIanlon's on the roadl"
"Redmond O'IIanlon, isitln said Jerry
e ugh that much for Redmond O'llan
: lon,' continued he, swapping his fingers
i "Faix, Jerry the fool is match for half
d dozen of the likes of him any day in til
e week, and Sunday into the bargain"
The stranger laughed, and rode on i
t silence till they came to avery lonely pal
It of the road, when he drew brace of phi
5. tolls and told Jerry to hand over all til
II money he had about him, or he'd try ifh
had any brains by sending couple
X bullets through his head
n "Mela murther!" roars Jerry, in a tor
n of fright. "You don't mean to say thi
: your honor's Redmond O'Hanlon?"
. 81 do, indeed. So hand over, my mai
!" and look sharp about it."
"But, talk, it's kilt entirely by the ma
ter III be if 60 home without the rent
"What's that to me?" said O'llanlon.
ct Anyhow" said Jerry, 81 must sho
n them that had a numbering fight for
lie Perhaps your honor wouldn't mind firir
" shot through my old beaver"
|" O'Hanlon did so, laughing at the trick
il "And now through the breast of my o
coat, and bless you"
ID This was done.
It. "Now Just one in the skirt of it, al
good luck to your honor"
a. But I've discharged both my pisto
and don't want the trouble Of reloadil
or them for YOU"
ut "Faix, | should dearly like sh
I'd through the skirts it would show foug
IT, desperate. Are you sure your hon
sh hasn't another pistol in your pocket tn
-. you don't mind firing for poor boy
IL sakeH"
nd "Confound you, to be sure | haven
ly Hand over the money, or I'll beat you
1t, a Jelly with my horse-wip."
ad '"Well," said Jerry, after good deal
fumbling. | suppose, considering t
as trouble I've had collecting these rim
ay your honor won't mind little bother
to going over the hedge after them"
Jul And he threw sack apparently W
ce filled with coin. Half laughing, h
angry, the highwayman-frst aiming
he Jerry with his whip, which he avoided
lie ducking-dismounted and climbed oN
cd the hedge, and no sooner had he done
up than Jerry slipped off the old hack a
IRE mounted O'Hanlon's horse. bad scr
int to you, Redmond O'Ilanlop didn't
lila you Jerry the fool was match for do2
of you2 It's a sack ofbrass buttons you
gone over the hedge after, you thief oft
as world :" And, touching the fine mi
with a spur, he galloped off, singing
U.s. the top of his voice the old Irish melo'
SEQ to the Mischief and Shake Yourself
in O'Hanlon couldn't pursue him on the ha,
If; The cute fool had made him discharge
he pistols. There was nothing for it but
las walk away, cursing his own stupidi'