Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-22

"True for We, sir" replied the man,
with another accession of love for
being near the head of the pony. "But
there's worse things, nor the dark night
to be afraid of on this road"
Indeed" said my father as his
right arm gradually slipped round to
his back, and his hand grasped and
drew on to his right knee the barrel Of
the blunderbuss.
"Yis; an / wonder you're not
afeard," said the man. "Didn't we
hear how they trated Purcell, the male
monger, few days ago, ar what they
done to ould Doran of Ballymaturk?
Yis; there's worse things nor the dark
night about here, I can tell you"
"True for w." replied my father, in
bitter tone of mimicry of the mans
voice and style, can you're one of
them"
The man halted for half a step, and
exclaimed
Gone ov-"
"Look here |" cried my father, as he
bent low over the neck Of the pony, at
the same time bringing round the
mouth of the blunderbuss so that it
CAPPED right in the face of the man
"this is what makes me not afraid of
all the prowling villains in the country u
AS be spoke, he regained his former
position, and the moon, shooting from
behi I'd the last cloud that had hid it,
flashed full on the polished barrel of
the blunderbuss. The man staggered
back an instant, then made a step as if
he were about to leap the black ditch
and disappear among the clumps OF
turf that dotted the waste.
"Hold !" cried my father, still in
the same fierce, low, quick tone
"Don't attempt to leave U.S."
The man, as if moved by some pow
er beyond his will, turned obediently
and stepped forward
CHOW, listen," continued my father
If you attempt to move one foot Out
of the direct path, if you go single
step faster or slower than we do, i
you whistle, sing, or make a sign OF
any. kind that may be heard or seen by
your murderous companions lurking
behind those stacks of turf, I'll blow
your brains out"
The man gave one quick glance oyel
his right shoulder, saw the wide mouth
land bright barrel of the blunderbuss
bearing right down upon him, my ia
theirs hand grasping the lock and my
fathers fierce eyes and stern, white
face looking for the slightest sign o.
disobedience. He shivered, dropped
his eyes to the ground and walked OF
steadily.
| After this no sound, save the pat Of
the pony's feet, the noise of the
brogues, or the deep breathing of thu
man, broke the Stiffness until the hos
was passed and the regular road wa
gained.
At this my father drew breath Of
relief, and leaned back in the saddle
The man glanced quickly round, ther
sprang towards the fence by the road
side, bounded over it and disappeared
Then my father grasped the rein'
tightly, leaned forward minute, and
fer the first time in year, Dolly fell
the spurs. Ten minutes more and the
light was flying from the flints beneath
her heels in our lane, and I could heal
the joyful cry of Mick O'Hara as ht
flung back the gate, and we dashed or
to the lawn.
"The Lord be praised this night 2
cried Mick" The Lord above be
praised ! Here at last, safe and SCUM.
My father did not speak, but dis
mounted slowly, helped me to my feet
then finging the reins to Mike, walked
into the house, and laid the blunder
buss on the table in the parlor as soft
ly as if it had been child
This old piece has never done bet
ter piece of work than tonight" he
said, solemnly; for it has saved life
instead Of Staying. But what do you
think, Dick ?" and he turned to me
laughing there hasn't been an ounce
Of powder in that old barrel for twenty
years. If that fellow had only known
he might have laughed at u.s.
That old blunderbuss hangs above
my fireplace now-one of the house
hold gods no money could buy.