St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-12-22
Not to be Done.

|
Yard, and how it came about was lust
this way.
For long time had been on the
Track OF gang of cOiners, which, in my
professional pride had vowed to cap
ture. More than once l had pounced
down upon them in their haunts; and
all vanished like magic; and being
unable to produce proofs, the chief
whom desired most to convict, fairly
laughed ut me and my efforts.
This naturally gave me considerable
annoyance and with some heat eitc-
ulated, "Iou've escaped me this time
Jim Bradley; but I'm not John Spind-
Ter if you do the next,r
Wv hen You catch me, hold me :" he
grinned. ''How dare you malign an
innocent MANI
''lnnocent then the evil one is not so
black as he is painted :" retorted.
Well. it WAS nearly nine months be
tore L again ran down Jim and his
gang: then | detected them in low
wretched street near the city road.
The house they used WAS kept bv an
old Irish woman
Having watched the house till | was
sure of my game, | went to Scotland
Yard, SAW the chief, reported my news
got some men, and on one dark, gustv
Winters night made Il swoop upon
them.
Leaving the police had brought at
little distance, | knocked at the door.
Getting no answer, | stepped back and
looked up ut the house.
1t was as dark as pitch, save a faint
gllmmer i'll the first floor window. As
| returned | felt certain | saw the blind
OF the lower room move. Trusting if
was being inspected, that the darkness
had concealed my identity. | repeated
my summons, when, after Il long DELAY.
the door WAS opened by the old land
lady. hearing a flaming tallow candle.
did you knock afore ?" she said.
peerlng teebly at me. 'SnIe, I'm just
as deaf as post, yer honor. and don't
hear bit. Who do You want?"
zone of your respectable dodgers.
Mrs. OBrien" | answered, entering the
passage and putting my foot 50 as to
prevent the door closing. "Thanks.
old lady, won't trouble YOU further'
Giving a preconcerted whistle. my
men came rapidly forward.
''Oh, the perlcese, oh. holy 81. Pat
rick have mercy on IL lone widder wo-
man Oh, good jintlemen, what's the
matter, sure. shrieked the hag.
Paying no heed to these CALCULATIONS.
placed one policeman on guard, and
with the others sprang up stairs.
Reaching the landing, | found all
dark, save faint glimmer which is
sued from under the door in front of us
| tried the handle. 1t was locked.
I'VE have him this time - whisper
ed, exultingly, for had caught the
sound of jim Bradley's voice. Il have
examined the house well. and there is
no means of egreSs either by the roofs
or the windows. They are trapped
Open, in the Queens name - exclaim-
ed aloud.
"Hullo, Is that You. my dear Spind |
Ter =" cried jim from within. 'liappy
to see you. I'm sure Rcmembrr. what
! said "llold me when You catch me.
old boy. The thing is to trap your
bird -
Il will take care of that. Mr.. jim"
reioined. ''Opcn, or we shall break in |
the door
"Oh, plaze. jintlcmcn dear. good
jintlemen, for the love of the saints. |
don't make Il noise. There's Il poor
s"wl jist partn' this life upstairs, an
his dear Young widdy's Almost distract
ed Sorra Il one of ye jintlcmen hcv
any pity. Don't sterrify the colleen,
nor the partin' sowl, who. sure. has
troubles enough"
"Silence. YOU old crone =" exclaim-
ed, land fetch Il light, or I'll have you
arrested as an accOmplice."
With Il regular howl of disappont-
mcnt, she hobbcd away. declaring
she'd do anything for us, imploring pity !
for Il poor lone woman, and compassion
for the partin' sowl upstairs.
We didn't wait for her return.
Aware no one could pass lis on the
stairs, and believing Jim might be try
ing to destroy the moulds, we put ouI
shoulders against the door, and drove
the lock from the box.
| had prepared for the light to he
cXtinguished and IL rush made.
was disappointed. Jim sat com
posedly at the table, with another man
playing cards.
"Hullo you don't stand on ccrcmo-
ny, John, my friend, he remarked,
laughing, Il thought every mans house
was his castle"
$50 it is Jim, until he makes it
shield for law breaking" answered.
''Prove your words, my man
81 intend to, hope so you will just
consider yourself my prisoner while
search"
''Plcase yourself, and take the conse-
quences." he replied, and carelessly
went OH with his game.
Putting my men on guard, | began
to examine the apartments.
| sounded the walls prnnaI mn thn
tried the flooring.
No, not il sign; while jim Bradley's
utter indifference, | own, perplcXed me.
"DOne again :" muttered, when |
heard a heavy step i'll the room above.
''WhO's that up stairs p | asked.
"You should know yourself by this
time" answered Jim. Il can only say
that confounded Irish hag is always
screechin' as il chaps a dying, which
amt much concern of mine, as long as
he keeps hisself to hisself. and don't
groan too loud. Ugh, low, game, with
out even the Jack, Phil" he added, to
his companion, putting down his cards.
The sick mans a ruse, perhaps.
thought |.
Come lads,"I said, aloud, "We'll :
go upw
Regardless of the old woman's en-
treaties not to disturb the poor "dyin'
sowl," we mounted.
The back attic was as bare as bare
could he. When | was about to enter
the other, the door opened, aud Il
respectfully dressed man
crossed the threshold. ,
"Hush," he said, in il low tone. "May
| ask the meaning of this disturbance :