Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-11-04
A PLOT DlSCOV Erred.
by II. II.

James Park, London. and along tns Bird
Gage Walk. One evening lately, rapt in
my medtatons,I / remained till il was very
dark, and the park was nearly empty. ]
had taken my station under O large tree,
near which was q bench, oil which two
rather li-lressed men were seated, aid
apparently in earnest conyt rsation. Com
ing out of my reverie began TO speou-
late on the causes which were most ike.y
to have drawn my new neighbors TO this
quiet spot. Are they" thought l,
members Of parliament, come Lere TO
study what they are to say on some impor-
tant question ? Are they lovers, seeking
retirement to descant to each other on the
charms of their intendeds? Are they
husbands, afraid to face their wives Are
they" but all my coDjectures were put to
flight by the first sentence which reached
my ear.
well, Tom, said one 'your plot is well
laid but think you will have some diff
Guilty in disposing of Berkeley"
"Ob, not at all, replied Tom, ~ pre-
pose sending him to one of the West
Indian islands, and there are too many
ways there Of stopping mans breath for
me to be at any loss"
sis his death absolutely necessary ?"
asked the other.
"Undoubtedly," answered Tom, ''for
you know the duke has sworn that Julia
shall never marry Viiiiers so long as
Berkeley is alive"
"Heaven and earth, thought I, "what
atrocious villains are here What duke are
they speaking of? What Berkeley do they
allude to?" / had no time for further
reflection.
"True, true," said the other, she must
certainly be put out of the wsy but 1
think your sending him to the West Indies
is clumsy mode of getting rid of him.
Gould you not kill him in duelf'
Nothing could be more easy, my dear
Bob,' replied Tom; 'but as l dismissed
Spenser to the other world, with bullet
for his passport, l would rather try
another mode. l think shall have him
murdered by slave-driver."
81 cannot consent to that" answered
Bob; 81 don't like the expedient"
Like it or not, said Tom angrily, 81
am not aware that it is necessary to ask
your consent in the matter"
"Did we not agree to do the thing
between us, and to divide the cash?" asked
his companion. "You are inexperienced
in these matters, but l have put great
many such jobs through my hands
already"
Imagine the dismay with which / lis
tened to this horrid dialogue! My head
swan; my blood ran cold; l crept close to
the tree, afraid even to draw my breath
"Well, WELL" said Tom, ''don't let us
fall out about it; Berkeley shall die some
way or other. | am glad you think well
OF the plot Our employer will, surely be
Cd l,,t-
seven marquesses and nineteen earls
engaged in it. The deuce is in it, if that
won't content him2"
"Thunder and lightning" said to
myself, ''it is plain that some awful con-
spiracy is Matching. Is the town to be
burnt? Is the House OF Commons to be
blown up?"
"When Berkeley is done for" con.
tinued Bob, 'Yilliers will marry Julia.
They will be presented at court, and then
comes the grand catastrophe. We there
assassinate William" ...5.
My brain whirled: could scarcely
credit my senses and it was only after
pinching my arm that could believe l
was awake. rs it possible" thought 1,
THAT these ruffians could coolly plot the
death 7f our gracious sovereign under the
very nose OF his palace Desperadoes
that they are But the King shall live
and Berkeley shall not be murdered by
seve-driver, if can help it, They had
by this time left the bench, and were
walking toward town. Fired with indie-
nation, l hastened toward them, guided
| by the sound of their footsteps. As there
was no creature near to assist me in secur-
ing them, l resolved not to attempt it till
help was at hand. Step by step followed
them, till they reached Oharing Cross,
when, n,suddenly, springing forward, / seized
Bob by the collar, and called out "Help,
help! they are murderers,' A crowd
Immediately gathered round aud Tom,
instead OF running away, stood stock still.
II charge you all, in the Kings name,"
said |, ito secure these two ruffians!"
! Bob, who had at first remained motionless,
now knocked me down. The police inter
tered, however, and set me on my legs.
was still as bold as could be. Il charge
( these two men" said l, '"rom and Bob,
/ other names unknown, with conspiring
death of sundry individuals and | COM
mand you" continued, turning 10 the
| policemen, ito carry them before a
| magistrate, when l shall substantiate the
| charge" AT this Bob and Tom affected
the most perfect smazement, and treated
the accusation with the greatest scorn.
4 The mob, however, took part with me, the
I uproar increased, and the policemen car
rled US all before Sir Richard Birnie.
I'he appearance of Bob and Tom at
Bow street seemed to occasion some sur
| prise, and Sir Richard, who appeared to
know them, looked confounded on hearing
the report of the policeman. Gentle
men, said he, ''this is a most extraordi-
Z .aIT
you before me on such an occasion.
You could not expect il less than we did"
answered Bob 1T is not to be borne
that gentlemen are to be peltsd by mob
and dragged here like felons, on the bare
assertion of scurvy, half-drunk tailor"
= am not tailor, Master Bob," replied
Il am an honest maker of saddles" II
Wish you had learned to put them on the
right horse, answered Bob as cold as
brass Sir Richard, presume we may
retire < IF you let them 90 1t will be at
your own peril, said l. 'Gentlemep.
said Sir Richard, have moments
patience, and We will soon settle this bust
ness. You, fellow, state your charge"
By your leave, Sir Richard, will say
faw words, which will make their
conscience fly in their faces Hark We,
Master Bob and Master Tom, other
names unknown, look at me-" "Well -
answered Bob, i've do look at you and see
nothing but a half starved wretch. in "A
suit of clothes not worth Is pence" If
took in hand certain jobs, and shared the
cash like some people, replied l, staring
them full in the face, Il might have a
better coat on my back. You take me,
Master Bob p Il take you for an insolent
scoundrel!' said Bob, in a rage. mo
more of this, said Sir Richard; but
state distinctly your charge" ~ charge
them with couspirng the death Of q ger
ileman of the name of Berkeley, and of
his most gracious majesty, William the
Fourth. At this Bob and Tom stared al
each other, and Sir Richard looked con
founded Yes" l continued, turning to
the culprits, II overheard your murderous
schemes; and you, monster of iniquity
you swore to as5assinate the king And
what harm has Berkeley done YOU that he
should be murdered by a sla7e-driver.
You hoas.ed that your plot was well laid !;
but confess, ruttians, who are the three
dukes the seven marguesses and the 10
earls Who arc engaged il it?'
AT this the hardened wretches burst
into such shout Of laughter as made the
roof ring, Peal followed peal though l
saw plainly that this was done to gain
time 10 concert some story to palm upon
Sir Richard. AT length, Master rob