The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-08-21
Mike Mahony's Ride.

\ Ike Mahony was an freshman, every
whit but he was a shrcwa lrishman. ane
obtained more money and cold vietuals
by his vii than by hard labor. In fact
he was determined to make this country
what he had been told it was before be
came over the water,a place where man
could live aisy.
1t happened one day that Mike. who
had stoyed up into the country was an
xous to reach railroad depot His legs
were weary, and though he bad partaken
of a substantial breakfast from the well
spread table of hospitable farmer, the
idea of taveling sixteen miles before
nightiall, had little charms for lazy fell
low like him.
Mike had Travelled about half mile
when he observed n large hand. bill post
ed on the sign post. Though not much
Of a scholar he managed, after spelling
the hard words, to read as follows;
Stolen. "A man, calling himself VII,
liam McClafflin, hired Of the subscriber a
gray horse and Concord built wagon,
for the purpose of going TO Keystone
and return the same day, but has not
been heard from since. Said McClailiin
was a small man, poohmarked with a
scar under his eye.
That's me, said Mike, barrin' the scar,
and that's aisy made.
He logged along to the tavern, enter
ing with do wneast look, and took q
seat before the fire.
In new minutes ne heard whisper
ing among the inmates, and he felt that
the prospect Of a ride was not SO bad as
it might be.
Soon the landlord entered, and after
whispering few moments tapped Mike
ON the shoulder ard said
Where is your horse, my good fellow !?
Horse, said Mike looking up.
Yes, the horse you hired.
Sure. an the owner has him. You
wouldn't accuse, an honest freshman Of
the like of me stealing a horse, would
your
You may look like an honest man, but
don't you see that's an exact deseript
ion of your
An what does that say, sure?
That you stole horse and wagon.
Is it me you name?
Certainly.
Take me out ofthis, by the blessed st
Patrick. and Mike was making fast for
the door, when the landlord stepped be-
fore him.
No you don't said he taking Mike by
the collar
Mike began to shed tears, and tried 70
soften the heart of the landlord
An sure you wouldn't be the names of
putin a poor fellow to prison, Let me
go now, and II never darken the doors
Of your house again, as sure as my
names
What asked the landlord.
It's no matter-I'm sure he's the chap,
said the landlord, don't you think SO 7
addressing himself to the crowd who
had gathered in the bar-room.
Yes, was the response.
In less than half an hour the landlord
team was at the door, and Mike was or
der to get in.
Sure, you'll give drop Of the crath
nre. said Mike, aior sc taken me out into
the cold weather.
Yes said the landlord, ordering his
boy to set cut the deeanter.
Here's to the health Of We, said Mike
an may the blessed Virgin purteet We,
and save &c from ever ben' in my sti
walton.
The liquor ives drank ana Mike and
the landlord started of for the town from
which the horse had been stolen.
During the first part of the journey,
Mike was exceedingly tacturn, and the
landlord was not disposed to disturb his
,neditations They had proceed some
half dozen miles when Mike asked
And what will you get for this job mis-
terP
Twenty-Five dollars, perhaps, replied
the landlord
Sure an yen make better business Of
it than myself, fye get that
Yes, guess so, said the landlord.
Mike reapsed into silence, and after an
hours ride they halted in front of a
stable, and the landlord sung out to the
proprietor;
Here's the fellow that stole your wag-
on.
This brought out the stablokecper and
hostlers, and the former having thrown
Mikes head back 50 as to get a fair view
OF his face, said
That isn't the man.
Isn't the man, repeated the astonish
ed landlord
An didn't ! tell ye SO, said Mike.
But it's myself that's obliged to We for
takin' me here, an saYin' me the trouble
of cary journey on foot An now,
turning to stablekeeper, if yen tell me
the way to the railroad. it is Mike
Mahony that will quick be ont of coun-
try where honest men are onci,ily thrat
ed.
The road was pointed out to him and
he trudged off at a rapid pace, while the
landlord deliberately turning his team
around departed amid a shout of laugh.
ter inwardly resolved never to arrest 0
man for horse stealing again.