Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-01-04

"What on earth induced you tt
give that sharper letters of introduc
ton to the regiment? Where, il
Heaven name did you pick him up ?
"The Prince --?'
"Of Darkness. He made nice fools
of us ALL"
| to- Bob Finch the story of thu
raft, at which he laughed a little, add
ing soon:
But it's no joke, Randall. He was
asked to mess on the strength of your
letter to Greyciffe."
II gave him none"
"He produced one-on paper with
your monogram, and in your writing.
GA forgery"
"But how could he have done it r
81 left him alone here for an hour
| or more to write letters. There was
one for Messrs. Courts, and another
for somebody 'offski, and one"-for
Seven Dials OF course, but | would
not confess to this.
"Well, he dined at mess, on bour-
geos He was travelling, and had
left his mails at another stage; after
dinner he got us to baccarat, which
he played to nicely. We were
cleaned out, every one of US. The
Prince, however, promised rs our re-
venge. Only the same night-it could
have been no one else--he broke into
the mess-house, stole three dozen sill
yer forks, heap of teaspoons, several
snuff boxes, one or two racing-cups,-
in fact all the light portable articles
on which he could lay his hands "
l was utterly ashamed OF myself
for being so easily imposed on. and
was preparing in pain and humiliation
to proceed to headquarters, when my
Sergeant came in and said two War
dens had arrived from Talkham Con-
vict Prison would | see them?
One came in.
might | make so bold as to claim
your assistance, sir? We have been
in pursuit of convict who escaped
from our establishment the day before
yesterday.
He produced large placard head
ed with the royal arms. Under them
in flaming capitals, were the words !;
Convict just escaped Five Pounds
Reward -
Then followed the description:
"Thomas Twoshoes, alias Polish
Ned, alias the Staggering Sumph,
alias Harry Hyhier, complexion sal
low, dark eyes high cheekbone
black hair, Speaks with foreign
accent. Was dressed in trousers of
patched blanketine and an old checked
shirt"
"Well, what can do p l asked, a
little nervously. Was | suspected of
completely? Doubtless | had lain my
self open to the charge of aiding and
abetting in the convict's escape. Ii |
can assist you in your search
1T isn't necessary, SIT, for we've
caught him
Caught him! exclaimed both Finch
and myself IN a breath.
He is outside, in the custody of As
sistant Warden Tightlock. We cap
tured him seven miles the other side
of Manchester. A boy saw him about
daylight hiding behind a hedge chan
ging his shirt-that he had on was
marked with the broad arrow We
were informed, gave chase, and after
a sharp tussle, took him. Will you
allow me to lodge him in your guard
room till the prison-yan arrives?'
/ consented. aud went out with
Finch to see the culprit, who was
handcuffed and still in my clothes.
We'll, Prince | began,
Pardon me- he said gravely, L am
incog, travelling under the name of
Twoshoes. My equerry here, Mr..
Tightlock, viii explain
always was rum'un to patter.
Flash as you like, and artful,' said Mr..
Tightlock.
How he got away was marvellous p
like magic, said the senior Warden.
He was here to-day
And will be gone again to NOR
row. put in the incorrigibe rogue.
But, while | have the opportunity,
allow me to thank NJ. Carruthers for
his generous hospitality and perhaps
vou, SIR he went on to Bob Finch,
viii convey to your brother officers
an invitation to visit me at Talkham.
The place is rough, but | ain com.
PEELED to make it my residence for
the present and if any care to come
over | shall be happy to give them
their revenge
and the mess plate, Twoshoes?'
Made into white soup hours ago.
Melted down, that is, remarked
Tightlock, by way of explanation.
And that was all we ever heard Of
it.-AU the Year Round.