The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-20
A SMUaGLER FOB ONCE.

that is, kept horse and cart, and went
about the country jousting or selling fish.
For several weeks there had been moth
ing doing; indeed. so bad season haa
not been known for years. and my wiie
Mary, the old horse and myself were get
ting unpleasantly near STARVATION i
could have borne this IL l had TO bear IL
alone but Mary had been a valued ser
want In the parsons family and not USED
20 roughing it, and it cut me to the hears
70 see how thin and pale she was getting
for want of the necessaries of life, which
] did not know how to get. Poor grit
weak as she was, she was the bravest OF
the two Many time when l was al-
most in despair. her loving arms would
be thrown round my neck, and she would
BID me cheer up and bear my troubles like
O man; and / have answered that If
could bear them as patiently as woman,
Il would do better still.
While standing at the gate, puzzling
myself what to try that hadn't tried
already, l saw Tom Davies, a cousin 81
mine, coming along the lane, looking as
sleek and comfortable as wellgroomed
horse. 1t had always been a mystery to
me how Tom lived, for let trade be ever
so bad, he never seemed to suffer, but was
well clothed, and looked jolly and happy.
He was always civil, but as he stopped
now to give me time of day, he noticed
how queer look ed and though I'm not,
given to talking of my troubles, his sym
pathy loosened my tongue, and toldlhim,
how there wasn't inorsel of bread in the
cupboard, and didn't know how to put
any there.
He took few whiffs OF the short pipe
he was smoking, cycling me hard the
while, and then told me that IL l could
keep a secret, he thought he could put
me in the way of earning a trihe. / was
ready to promise anything when heard
this and when assured him that would
be as secret as the grave. be babe me bring
my old horse to Riders Cave on the fol-
lowing night, punctually at twelve. lie
woGld be there 10 meet me. but | was TO
ask DO questions. There might be a tritie
of risk in what ] should have to do. but
HOiHllS WibiS 40 iOoob, AOAA Oh " liz AAAAA Al
in it. though others might.
cts smuggling said to myself; and
] thought of Mary, who would sooner die
than know me TO Go anything that was
not Just right. | was about to say no to
Toms offer; but Mary's wan face rose up
before me, and as remembered how biting
want was dragging her down to her grave,
] grew desperate.
@Pm your man, Tom, risk or no risk.
I'll be there to my time, never fear me"
He grasped the hand held out left a
shilling in it, and with . nod walked on,
leaving me with q weight on my con-
science that had never rested upon it be-
fore. All that day and the next, l could
not meet Mary's eye without feeling as
If were hiding crime from her.
When evening came told her WAS
wanted for q little job of moving at the
next village. and should not be home till
late. She never doubted the tale, but
smiled and Kissed me when / went away,
leading old Bob by the bride. and fancy
ing that had never seen darker night,
nor heard the wind mean 80 disnally be-
fore. 4
Riders Cave is situated in one Of the
most lonely parts of the Cornish coast. and
there is not a house within couple of
miles of the spot After riding for about
half an hour, came out of the lanes on
70 the beach, and another mile or so along
the foot of the cliffs brought me TO the
the cave. AS rode into it lheard a voice
say cautiously, "All right, John. the boat
will be here directly !" and l was not sor-
~ to find Tom Davies mounted on cob
alongside OF me-
Handing me a flask with some brandy
in it, he babe me take nip at the same
time telling me with no little glee that
the coasties were mapping, and we
should do them jolly FSrah
After waiting some few minutes we
heard tho regular click of oars in the row.
locks, followed by the grating of boats
keel on the single.
We rode out and soon had several par.
cells strapped on either side of the horses
then with scarcely word spoken we set
of; Tom giving me instructions where
TO leave my load. and adding that'it would
be as well to part as soon as we got off the
beach.
Away we went, but only 70 find out first
just as we quilted the shore-that the
Coast-guardsmen were not mapping after
NIL two of them sprang upon us from
behind a boulder, and clutched at the
horses brides; but the creatures swerved,
and that saved us.
spur for your life" muttered Tom in
my ear, at the same moment riding his
staunch little cob right at the men, saw
one Of them roll over op the sand. while
the other jumped aside shouting to us to
stop. but we never paused until we were
some distance down the lane leading from
the beach. Then Tom pulled up. 1--WE
must part now" he said Keep to the
right and ride hard, for they will cut you
on If they can where the lane winds TO.
ward the coast but give the nag wbin
and spur, and you will be there before
them. OF with you " and so we partial
After Tom had laft mn I ~.