Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-08-02
rConclnded from First psse. I

or my name isn't Michael O'Connor
Whist nowp Did ye here nothin' benin
that hedge there P''
AT this moment we were in about The
middle of arather lonesome stretch OF the
road, one side of which was bounded by
high thin hedge. The dusk of the eve
ming was fast giving way to the gloom oil
night.
"l-ah--yes. surely there is something
moving there" replied. ITS some an
imal. most likely"
Down in the safe down for your life
cried the driver as in his terror he brought
the horse to halt, 4"
His speech was cut short by couple oi
loud reports. A lance-like line of fire
gushed from the hedge. and if one not
Two bullets whstled close past my ear.
AS ] sprang TO my feet in the gig, the
driver slid down to the mat. and lay there
In heap, moaning. "Are you hurt ?"
asked, as | strove to get the reins out OF
his palsied hands.
"rm kilt, kilt intirelyr' he moaned.
"Aisy now, aisy there, your honor -
cried voice from behind the hedge just
as had gained the reins. "Its all mis-
take. your honor, all mistake !"
"Give the mare the whip give the mare
the whip ~ cried the driver, as he strove
TO crawl under the seat; "we'l all be
murthered !"
Instead of taking his advice, however,
| held the mare steady, while man
pressed through the thin hedge and stood
before US, yet smoking gun on his shoul-
der.
whats the meaning of this ?" asked
coolly, for the new comer's GOODNESS affect
ed me. 'Did you want to murder per-
son you never saw before ?"
"I'm raale downright sorry, your hon.
Or" replied the man in just such tone
as he might have used had he trod upon
my toe by accident; "but We see you're in
Wolf O'Neil's gig, an took ye for him.
Where's that fellow Michael?"
AS he said this, the man prodded the
driver with the end of his gun, while II
actually laughed outright at the strange
ness of the affair.
go away with We, go away ~ moaned
the driver. "Murther! thaves! MUIR
ther I"
"Get up with ye, an take the reins, you
gommerl you, )" said the man as he gave
Michael another prod that brought him
half out. You're as big a coward as
my old grannys pet calf. Get up, an
lake the ftiDs, Ut Il
"Oh, don't; there, dom say nothin', for
the love of heaven p cried the driver, as
he scrambled into his seat again, and took
the reins in his shaking hands. "rl do
anythin' ye tell me, on'y put that gun
away.
"fhere, replied the man." as he low
cred the gun till its mouth pointed to the
ground; twill that plase YEP NOW, tell
me where's Squire O'Neil P'
"He's in the town be this," replied the
driver. 30 thin politics, thin politics p
Hum so he's managed to get past US.
after all Well tell him from me, Cap
tain Rock. that if he votes for the sarint
Tomorrow, it's an ounce of lead out of
this he'll be after trying to digest. Now,
mind.'
"rrl tell him, captain, dear !" I'll tell
him." replied the driver, as he fingered
the reins and whip nervously. "But
mayn't we 60 on now mayn't we go
on?'
"Yis. whiniver the gentleman plases,"
replied the man. "An' I'm raale sorry at
the mistake"
"Well, I'm pleased, not sorry" l re-
piled, laughing "for if you'd bit me, it
wouldn't have been at all pleasant. But
let me advise you to make sure of your
man next time before firing. Good
night"
'Good night, your honor, good night"
cried the man, as Michael gave the mare
the whip, and sent her along at the top of
her speed to the now fast-nearing lights
of the town. In less than a quarter OF
an hour, we had dashed through the
streets, and halted before large hotel
Here Michael found his master. as he ex-
pected and here l put up for the night.
very much to the astonishmemt of every
one. Soon after my arrival, asked to
be shown TO my room before the other
guests ceased their noise and allowed me
to 60 to sleep. Next day l slept rather
late, and might have slept even later, but
that was rudely shaken out of a pleasant
dream by a wild howl, as of thousand
demons just let loose. Starting up quick
ly, and looking out on the street, | saw
that 1t was filled with a fierce looking
crowd, olt of whose many mouths had
preceded the yell that had awakened
me. Drawing on my clothes, | rushed
down to the coffee-room. There learned
that the people outside had just accompa-
MED Squire O'Neal back from the polling
place, where he had been the first one to
vote for 1.-THE sarjint." Now that this fact
had become generally known, they were
clamorous that he should be sent out to
them, ito tear him limb from limb"
Presently, while their cries rose loud and
long, the squire entered the room-a tall
military-looking man, with little of
horsey tone, nose like hawk, eyes dark,
yet glowing like fire.
They don't 81 sm over fond of me |
see," he said with smile, as he bowed to
those in the room, and advanced to one
OF the winnows and coolv opened it.
Waving his hand the crowd became in
stantly silent.
Now. don't be in hurry, gentlemen" ;"
he said in clear voice that must have
been distinctly heard by every one. "You
shall have the honor of my company so
soon as my horse can be harnessed, / as
sure you"
"Eh, what does he mean ?" asked of
person next me. 'Surely he will not
venture out among these bowling fiendsPn
That is just what he is going to do.
replied my companion. There is no use
talking to him. He has given orders for
the mare and gig to be got ready, and its