The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-10-27

Lnht IL was all dream.
His carriage came at last, and entering
II he started at once to fulfl his appoint.
ment.
Twas u clear, bright night; the moon
was tull and sexene in lis effect. The
General looked out as he left the city
gates and started upon the road, then set.
tied himself into an easy position, hoping
to catch nap by the way. With the
happy faculty acquired in camp life Of
being able 10 sleep under nearly any cir.
cumstances, he was soon obliyious 10 all
about him. He was soon dreaming Of
the beWiLching eyes that had been beam.
Ing upon him through the mask Of the
orange girl.
Suddenly his ears were saluted by a
loud peremptory direction:
"Halt!"
At which the vehicle as suddenly came
TO stand.sLill. He was hardly suit.
GENTLY awake to ask himself what all
this siguifed, or how any one dared to
interfere with person Of bis rank upon
the road, when the door OF the vehicle
was thrown open and a couple Of brig.
ands, armed to the teeth, jumped into the
carriage in the most unceremonious man.
ner. The General was too much amazed
to make or attempt any resistance, be-.
sides which, while he was entirely un.
armed, his ears were saluted BY the
ominous sound Of cooking pistol, which
he saw by the bright moonlig ht was held
by one OF the briHands ready for instant
use.
"What means this insult?' demanded
General Arieta.
"Don't use harsh words" said one Of
the brigands, while the other, putting his
head out OF the carriage window, gave
the word for the vehicle TO drive on.
"Now, General, }" said he who evidently
was captain Of bis fellows, "you are my
prisoner"
$50 it seems; but what is your object ~
Answer my questions faithfully and
truly, and 1 shall not put you 10 any
great inconvenience"
"But suppose ] decline?7
"My advice to you is not to try it,"
"Why mott"
because we should slit your ears and
nose in a manner which would make you
human curiosity 10 your friends and
the public" was the cool reply.
The General saw it would be useless
to contend with these men. He knew
how literally they often carried out their
threats, when they held prisoner for
ransom, and lie shuddered internally,
though a brave man, at the idea OF being
personally manned for life as they threat
ened.
The carriage In the meantime was moy-
ing along at a smart pace.
"Whither are you conducting me 70
asked the Queens officer.
"You will be informed by and by" was
the reply.
"Bqt I have an important appoint
ment."
"what do you suppose we care for
that%
"You will be made to suffer tor this.n
"First catch your hare" said the robber
chief.
"Take what you desire Of my personal
property, hut ! beg that you will not de-
tain mt" said the General.
"Well," said he who had acted as
spokesman, you may give me that Signet
ring. General"
"Nay, anything but that"
ut suits my fancy, and indeed it is all
l require Of yout personal Effects"
81 will give you a note for a hundred
pesos, rather"
at will not answer-I require the
ring"
STRANGE
"Do you think soy
ats intrinsic value is not half the sum- -
True, but it is a signet ring"
The General Reluctantly handed his
ring to the robber. saying:
"Let cur interview be briei, for you de-.
tain me from Cabinet meeting OF impor.
lance"
Exactly; and now, General, what
question in politics is up that should de.
mund Cabinet meeting at so unusual an
hourP
"That is the Queens business"
Undoubtedly, but you have no. an.
swered me, and until you do SO be sure
you lose time"
Itseems to be Of no use to try to avoid
the inquiries Of the curious brigand. In.
deed, the General felt that the best course
to pursue was to answer all inquiries
frankly, believing that he should iacilt-
tate his deliverauce thereby.
And then commenced u series OF inter.
rogatorieswhich showed remarkable intel.
ligence on the robbers part, and to which
the General responded frankly and truth.
fully. He was thus forced TO retail all
the court gossip; to tell who was in favor
with the Queen and who was under the
ban OF her displeasure; what appoint.
ments, civil and military, were under dis.
custom, and who were likely to be dismiss.
ed from favor.
Atlast, after the General had been alb
aolutely pumped dry OF all the informa.
ton he was capable Of imparting, and
without robbing him Of any other proper.
" save the siguet ring, the carriage was
ordered to stop. The two brigands step
ped ont, and we're at once Joined by the
one who had mounted the box beside the
driver. The General then saw that there
had been but three engaged in the attack
upon his vehicle. The two robbers babe
the General good morning." for it was
already daylight, and Immediately disap.
peared.
The Queens officer found himself on
the very spot where his carriage had been
stopped. The vehicle had been driving
all the wilhelm q circle Of 100 yards or 80.