The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-18
A Companion with the Darbies.


to the pedestrian as the knowledge or the
suspicion that he is being followed-espe-
cially at night. was winding up long
walk one summer day, some years back
in Devonshire. Night, which descends
rapidly in the hills there, had oyertaken
me, and ! was plodding along rather
wcarily toward my destination, guided
alone bv the indistinct whitcness of the
road. 1t was lonely part of coun-
try, far away from railways fashionable
resorts, and busy towns, and could not
help thinking what very easy thing it
would be in such an out-of-the-way cor
ner to dispose of your greatest enemy
quietly and never be discovered.
was in complete reverie, brought on
by this uncomfortable thought, when |
suddenly-not gradualIy-heard the
sound of footsteps behind me. | grasped
my stick, kept in my bravery with
clenched teeth, and strobe on. Perhaps
this might be my greatest enemy, about
to settle matters with me. 1t was odd
this sound of footsteps, for l had left the
village quite alone, and as | was in reg
ular Devonshirc lane had not remarked
any byways by which any one could
have come. 1t looked very suspicious. |
quickened up, so did the footsteps, and
at last the haunting effect of being
ogged became so annoying that /
stopped short and faced about. The foot
steps approached, and through the gloom,
just being family dissipated by a
rising moon, | made out tall,
thin figure. "Good evening, SIR said the
owner of the figure; "a lonely road, and
a dark night for travelling. Do you mind
my accompanying your? | did mind
rather, but as the appearance OF the
stranger, becoming more distinct. did not
proclaim the heavily-armed ruffian, ac-
quiesced, and we walked on together
He was strange figure | could now sec.
He had but very scanty clothing, and
that tattered, torn and mud-stained; one
arm was bound up in sling, and he
limpod heavily as he walked. After a
silence he said: "You are tourist, sir, |
see, by your knapsack and dress, and are
walking for pleasure. ! was often tour.
st, and often walked for pleasure. Would
it surprise yau to hear that am now
walking for my life?' Of course, it sur
priaed me, and / looked again at tht
speaker. II trust to your honor, Sir
and, of course, you wont split" said he
$50 look here, and you can guess what
anu" And he pulled his arm from The
sling, and showed the jagged, battered
remnant of pair Of handouts hanging L
his wrist. "Twasn't for anything bad
, sir; was innocent, but they copped me
and the man as did the job got off b.
rounding on me. If you let me wall
alongside of you until we get to Dawlish
I'll be obliged. Look ahead, sir.
, We heard the sound of horses
hoofs, and soon came upon
+ police patrol. They looked hard at u
| as we passed, but my knickerbockers ant
| knapsack won the game, and they wer
: soon out of sight ''That's all right, sir,
said the poor wretch at my side. $500
| shall be in my own country, anon
friends who will soon off with these dan
bies, and keep me snug and dark unit
n the affair has blown over" AS we ar
r preached Dawlish the man stoppee
r thanked me heartily for having provide
: him with respectable convoy, and di'
I appeared. I suppose had been defeat
;, ing the ends Of justice; but nothin
. would have induced me to place myse
. between the poor wretch and his libert.
. and | felt that had done fellow-ma
4 a service,