The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-01-20

4
both at homo and abroad, to steal OF
his credit, there were plenty to en-
, brace the opportunity. We are Of thi:
opinion Of a transaction attributed
to him on the Clay Pike about this
time. A couple of mounted travel.
ers were stopped aud robbed be
tween Centreville and Springfield
in the regular bighwayman-stapd
aud deliver-style Of the famous En-
glish robbers DuvalI, Turpin, and
others. Sandy got the credit for il
aud, we believe, was. arrested and
imprisoned for time Our reasons
for doubling that be did it are, that
it was SO entirely different from his
usual course. Without doubling his
courage, we think if be intended
adopting that course he would hardly
have tried two mounted aud presum-
ably armed men for bis first attempt
He seemed to enjoy robbing people
in their rooms, and going through a
house where be knew parties, willing
and anxious to shoot him, were on
the alert. When we say enjoy, we
say it without any qualification, using
it in the sense Of a positive pleasure,
apart from what be acquired in the
doing. Returning home with plenty
of funds, be set himself to enjoy the
fruits of his labors
About the holidays ball was CIV
en- at the Show House, near New
bury, now owned by Abram Angus
tine. Saady was on hand and
danced, drank, and enjoyed himself
as well as anybody. Here 1t is well
to observe that be was temperate IN
drinking, and never allowed 1t to get
the better of him or interfere with
| business. A well dressed traveller
stopped at the house that night, and
after looking on for a while, asked TO
be shown to his room, as bis journey
had fatigued him. The keenly OBJ
servant eyes of Slippery Mike had
noticed indubitable signs of wealth,
although the stranger was dressed
very plainly, and had evidently taken
pains TO avoid display. What was
uunoticed BY all others had strong
lv attracted his attention, and he
determined to satisfy himself before
morning, despite the danger from the
enhanced watchfulness OF the travel
Ter in such a miscellaneous crowd,
and the very great risk OF being de-
tected by the numbers that sEarmed
in every part of the house
His usual good fortune, or more
probably bis. eonsummate skill and
noiselessnes& carried him through.
He robbed The man of his purse,
watch, ring, &c, but did not risk
taking off his belt where the bulk Of
his money was carried. In the morn
ing the alarm was given, and sus-
picion pointed to Sandy. After some
trouble he was arrested and taken to
that house to stay over night, suth
cient evidence having been secured 10
warrant committing him to jail.
Knowing their man, every pre-
caution was taken to prevent bis es-
cape. The window was securely
fastened, the prisoner tied, and to
make assurance doubly sure, his
clothes, or part Of them, the indispen-
sable part, the psntaloons, were
taken away and the two watchers
having ordered all for refreshment
and enjoyment into the room, fastened
the door, moved heavy bedstead
across it So that the door could not
open without moving it, aud after q
comfortable repast, retired TO rest,
Nike having beel for some time in
heavy slumber. But when their
breathing proved them aslepe, be
arose. cast of his bonds, which were
already loosened, picked the pockets
Of both men Of everything they had
in them, made their clothes up into a
compact and convenient bundle,
crawled under the bed on his hands
and feet, and commenced moving it
by almost impereeptible degrees
At least q quarter of an hour was
spent in moving the bed far enough
from the door TO open it wide enough
to let him pass out He went TO the
room his pants were in, took them
and some other triies belonging to
boarders aud the people at The house,
entered couple Of other rooms, pick
ed the pockets of the inmates, and
then returned to the room from which
be had escaped, TO take a good sufT
drink of whiskey, as it was cold
night. lie took his drink deliber
stely, and then, as was thought, &C.
cidentally ul SIT tie glasses and rous-
ed his keepers We are inclined from
our knowledge of the man, to think
be did il in mere bravado. When be
saw bis guardians were awake, be
daried unler the bed, out Of the
partly open door, and baving locked
il on the oatside, whistled shrilly
through the keyhole. bade his keep
ers an aFecIionate farewell. and
gathering up his bundle, started Of
across the fields at pace that few
mea could equal At convenient
hollow filed with underground be
bid the clothes be had taken from the
house, aud then resumed bis retreat.
1t must not be inferred that be al
ways escaped punishment Solitary
confinement and hard labor were
sounds unplessantly familiar. Pun
ishment failed Of It's true intent, il,
as is said, it is designed for reforma-
ton. He came from prison harden
ed and confirmed 10 evil courses.
He was the introdueer If not the in
ventor OF the trick OF throwing pep
per in the eyes of en opponent As
il was before Mr. and Mrs Lsmmle
and TIE chivalric Fledgby became
known TO fame, be certainly did not
borrow the idea from them. Il is
possible they may have from him.
His FIRST essay was very successful
and seemed 10 afford immense delight
to his impish disposition. After the
preliminaries Of the 6ght had been