, 1877-12-09
A HIGHWAYMAN OUTWITTED


Dinglc Farm was snch a pretty place.
Char,niney situated at the foot Of slope, it
commanded au extensive view Of beautiful
kentis.l valley, the ground rising to ridge OF
wooded hills in the far distance.
its steep tiled roof: covered with yellow
lichcns. indicated its antiquity, and the numcr-
ous tar1n-huidings, ricks, and barns, which
stood around in picturesque confusion, marked
ii as wealthy and prosperous In language
Of thcir own. An orchard Of vcncr-
abl2, but not the less full-bearing,
ample and pear trees ran up the incline
behind the house; the pasture-fclds we're inter
sected by woods OF oaks, under which Z tangled
mass Of underground lent a wild beauty to the
spot, the birds keeping up c sweet incessant
concert from sunrise to sunset in the branches
above.
Two shady lanes Led down to Dingle Farm
from the lligh-road, which was mora than half 4
mile distant. Tnis old and attractive place had
been for generations in the possession Of the
Dales, respectable and wealthy family Of farm
ers, and among the villages and country round
was better known by the name OF Dalc's Farm.
It was inhabited a. the time Of our storE-thc
latter part Of the last cent,.ry-by old Mr.. Dale
aud his widowed daughteT-i,,-law. Richard
Dale, her husband, died soon after the birth Of
their Youngest child, the only surviving son
an+ of fnur .hrec of whom, died in infancy.
o4F Ths Gt % bow now Is yearf DID, was dotcd on by
| his Grandfather and widowed mother. An or
| 1,ilan gr.,,dchild OF old slr. Dalc's-a bright
clever si.l Of 90, named Susan stidopt-liycd
with them since the death Of her mother, his
only iaurhter. and Was Mrs. Richard Dale's
| risht hand. She directed the servants, locked
aftcrth dairy, fed the poultry. Kent the accounts
and always went to market on marset-days, Mr..
| Dale being now too inir1n to undertake the
I
0fsnnes ne 'n atGss fsaasast vs ss*"e5 lsa at Halle
ton, town distant from the farm
| about seven miles; and hithcr the
farmers sent their cattle, poultry, and rese-
table 25oaase for , sale the first Wednesday in
with some anxiety aad not 4 little danger from
| the llghwaytnen, who still infested tie roads,
cnd who did not fail to make use Of market.
day IS All available opportunity for plunder,
As the road was much EreQuented on these par-
ticuiar DAYS Susan went backwards and for-
warls without fear Of an encounter nth these
| uncomfortable gentry.
1t was the evening before markctday. Sup
per was just over ut the farm, and Mrs, Daie
was busy removing it from the large oll-iasi,-
| foued OAK table in the kitchen. 4 bright fire
blazcd On the spacious hearth, though it was
the end Of june, and OLD M1. Dale sat in the
chimncy-eo1ncr under the inrncn5c, chimney,
where collection OF hams hung in various
stages Of smoking.
| NOW mind. susan, that you be early Tor mar
lzet tomorrow" said Mrs. Dale, rs she seated
! herself.
"Neyer fear, aunt; I'll be off betimes.
Thomas must start first with the two cows ana
tue hcifcr, and I'll follow when they're well on
their way. Don't you disturb yours elf in the
morning aunt dear"
"bleEs the child, as II shouldn't be up and
about against your starting! 1sha1l see to your
breakfast; Of course
~ wish you'd let me 60, too, mother,'' said
Ben, the bog before mentioned, who was whit
| tliug stick at the door, II know conid hcln
ousy;" ...
40 no. no, MT dear; you're too young"
Ing his pipe, said eoaunglv:
AZ IN eoou time, my lad; all IN good time.