New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-14

foot all alike says he Well, knowed
by the gent being so cheerful as there was
something more behind, and, says he to
man outside, Tom, bring in them tim oers !"
and 10 and behold there was pair of
wooden legs he'd brought from London;
very neat looking things they was, too with
brass rims round the hoofs of 'em. and var
nished beautiful. 1t seemed as the man az
made them was proud of them, for there
was burnt into the wood. right in the middle
of each Of the legs, the initials of his name.
P. l.. B., meaning Philip Lee Bow, Mr..
Tracey told ms. But one of my mates, as
was bit of a schoolard, coming in by n
BIZ, he takes up my leg, and Gays be. "P. l.:
B., what does that mean Why, Peg-legged
Bob says be- AID that name stuck to me
ever since.
But was telling you about Mr. Tracey.
Well, that wasn't the last visit he paid me:
and next time he came, he says: bob, you
won't be much use for navy now" says
he, "but you're knowledgeable man, and
has got your wits about you; take con-
track under me- says he. "'Aiot got the
brass, Mr.. Tracey" says I. 'lll lend you
some," he says, enough to start you; no
interest to pay; but mark you, shall look
for my money back some day. And with
that he wrote me out a check for hundred.
New Sam had great fancy for public
house, and tracey helped him too, so he
and parted. But afore then Sal and
was welded, and with Sal took Bos, the
curly haired dog as had been her fathers,
valyble aninil, sir, as hunted silent. and
brought me in many hare and rabbit IN
days gone by
did pretty we'll as sub on the whole:
ups and downs, and sometimes only bread
and cheese for my pains, with pound or
two to the good now and then to pay back
Mr.. Tracey Sam didn't do so well in the
public line-made break Of it, in fact, and
then came back among his old pals, and
kept sort OF sly grog shop.
Well, I'd been working good piece with
Mr. Tracey in Ireland, starvation sort OF
job. as melancholy business as ever
heard as Mr.. Tracey was making a line IN
Wales. Thinks l, that's working home
like: so 1 takes the steamer 70 Holyhead
and joys along to the work Tracey was
working this job at both ends, with one set
at this end in Blamarginshire and another
at tother end in Magonyshire. Well,
saw there wasn't a likely jon for me- in
Blamarginshire, and SO worked on through
the country. | may tel you heard OF
the lads, but didn't trouble to look him
up, not being over friendly with him just
then.
Howsoever took stiftish cutting at the
other side of the country, Magonyshire end
you know, and soon repented Of my JOB,
can tell you. l never see such mixed sort
of q place "a that Wales. Everything
higgieny. piggledy, gravel and rock, slate
and rubbidge all twisted up anyhow. There
was no lod gings to be had near our cutting,
80 we made sort of camp, a row of nuts.
as we christened Prospect Villas. And
with there being no town near, Sal set up
shop to sell groceries and pork and so on.
1t was a thing Mr.. Tracey set his face
against in a general way. any of US subs
setting up shop. ''Tain't right for the
men, he'd say, land it's the beginning of
truckwork as can't abide" But in this
case he'd nothing to say against it. "Only,"
says he, "Bob, don't you 60 selling drink"
Which didn't, except as ii might be to
friend, you know.
We hadn't been there long when who
should turn up one day but Sam, my wites
brother. He was big lump OF chap, Just
like myself, and about the same height.
I'm in a bit OF trouble, Bob says he:
LEND us pound or two and get Us run on
to Brummagem." And be stayed a night
With me, and l took him off afors daylight
and got him on to the ballast engine as was
working on the line, and then he was all
right never axed him what the trouble
was as he'd got into; II wouldn't a been
polite, you know and Sam naver told me,
only that it was in BlaInarginshire, where
he'd been doing BIT of business among
the navvies as was working at the other
end of Mr.. Tracey's line.
was standing atop Of the bank, looking
over the men as was filing set of wagons
for the trip. The road ra1 close by, and
gig was coming along, and l thought for
minute it was Grinweil, our gafer, coming
to have a look at US; and l stumped off to
the road to meet him. But il wasn't him,
but rather solemn-looking chap, with
frill of black whiskers round his tace. And
he stops and passes the time of the day
with me. Been in the army'" says he,
pointing to my leg. NO says l; "fall OF
rock" And he seemed to prick up his ears
at that and asked me q lot of questions
as to how it happened, and SO on And
then he begins admirlng my leg-the wood
en- 'un-and would mind putting it upon
the step for him to zee. All" says he, "a
nice bit of timber that and them letters,
why, you've got your initials on it, l see;
2. L. B. Thank'ee; good day" says he
and drives off sharp, as Il to make up tor
lost time.
Well, me and Sal was having our tea that |
night atop of the countec-we was bit |
for ROOM there being only the !
shop and a back parlor and a little cook |
house, and four or five dodgers, and the |
children and Bos-and knock came at the |
door, and Bos he sets a barking, like mad. |
''Come in says l, with my mouth full of !
b cad and cheese; and In walks two police |
men and the gent I'd seen IN the gig in the |
There's your prisoner" says he |
to the police; take him Off" Why, what |
have done!" says l, my heart sinking into |
my bost. "Oh," he says, selling liquor
mind wasn't quite clear as mightn't have
transfixed the law, through being too care
full to go as near to it as night be without |
it-says l, ''ain't l to have my
trial." Trial! nonsense" says he. "WhO !
are your l says. Are you kings, lords
and com mons, and judge and jury, tool
says l. Says he, Il am the supervisor Of
the excise, my boy. and here's the warrant |
to take you to prison. You know all about
Well, Sal cried. and Bos howled, and the
children screamed, and some of my men
began to get wind of what was up, and |
gathered about the door. Look sharp"
says the exciseman; they'll be trying a
,escue next" And with that they hurried
he out and across the line to where dog
art was waiting, and away we went. And
presently we came to town called Lanpig-
tie, or some such name as tha.. Now, it SO
as knew man there, a lawyer
regular hearty sort OF chap-a5 was doing
| bit of work for Mr.. Tracey, and l spoke
ip and said, you must let me see my law
7er." "Your lawyer" sneered the police;
who's your lawyer!" why, Mr.. David
Evans" said And with that there was
going on; and presently they
aid as they'd stop for half an hour at the
5oat. and bait the horse, and l might send
or the lawyer if l pleased. And so Mr..
David came to see me, as l was sitting in
he tap room, as glum as you please, be-
ween two policemen.
why policemen" says be. as soon as he
aw me, whats all this about = 'Reve-
lue case" say they. Lets look at your