The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-05-20
AN UNLUCKY RAID,

In the good old days of the Bow Street
runners, when highway assaults were
rife, and solitary post-chaise travellers
never journeyed without pistols in theil
pockets, and tremor at their hearts
when strange feats in the shape of star
light robberies were boosted of, and q
'tKnight of the Road aspired to be
called a gentleman, the following incl
dent occurred:
One afternoon in early autumn, close
upon sunset, couple of well-dressed
men, driving light gig in which was a
poor jaded-looking horse, stopped at a
wayside posting-inn, not hundred miles
from Bath, and requested accommoda.
ton for the night. They were fashion.
ably attired, and spoke in condescending
tones to the landlord and servants, using
q few words now and again of town
slang, as young bucks of the first water
were proud to do in that day.
Giving the horse and gig over to the
care of the ostler, they adjourned to the
public room and called for some light
refreshments in the shape of drink, or
dering supper to be served later. The
landlord himself brought in the brandy
and-water. F
whats this story about great high,
way robbery near here last night, land
lordP" questioned one. We heard of ii
on the road coming along. Is it true?'
"Quite true, sir. All, gentlemen il
is dreadful thing-though clever,
must say. My Lady Cantifere with her
two daughters was driving home across
the heath an hour or two after midnight,
having been to ball, when their car
rage was stopped by four mounted
horsemen with cooked pistols. The old
lady screamed and tainted; the young
ones screamed and kicked; and the gen
tlemen, those audacious robbers, pro
ceeded politely to rifle the ladies of every
ornament they WORE"
"Scoundrels ~ interjected one of the
guests. ......
''More than that. your worships.
What should those bold blades do but
invite the damsels to tread measure
with them! 1t was a fine night, as you
may perhaps remember, sirs; the moon
beams shining bright on the bare heath.
Out of the coach they handed them, and
footed it in a minuet; dancing, it is said,
to perfection, as though they were used
to lead out the Kings own daughters
every night of their lives. The young
ladies' screams ended in laughter; the
Baroness woke up from her faint and
abused them all, robbers and daughters
together 0, they are bold, those gen
tlemen of the highwaym
The two gentlemen, listening to this,
had gone into bursts of laughter. "But
what of the men-servantsp- what were
they doing" spluttered one. ....
''Only two were in attendance, sirs, it
seems; my lady's footman in the dickey,
and the position on the horses; and
while two of the robbers were thus doing
their dancing, the other two stood guard
over the men, each with his pistol cooked
and his hand onthe trigger, ready to fire
at the least movement"
Sand the upshot?'
The young ladies were bowed into
their coach again, all with stately cere-
mony, and the robbers, after wishing
them a very courteous good night, rode
off at canter, with every jewel they
had possessed, small or large, costly or
simple. and my lady's purse into the
bargain. They may well boast
that they lead merry lives, those men!
Fine commotion the news has caused
round about us to-day. as YOU NAV
imagine, gentlemen. Everybody's talk
ing of it. . ... '...
The landlord, being called for else
where, retired; the travellers slipped at
their glasses, laughing away, and con-
versing with one another in an under
tone. Dusk came on, and the elder and
taller of the two addressed his friend in
a different tone.
''About time to see after the horse,
isn't it, Jim? It's dark enough
81 was just going to-" answered Jim.
And draining his glass, he went away to
the stable-yard. '"'
Looking about him, with the air of a
connoisseur, after watching his horse
eat up his oats, he made himself ac-
quainted with the arrangements of the
stables. Some five or six horses were
in them. In the box next to his own
stood a splendid animal; evidently valu-
able.
"a better steed nor your n, STRIP cried
the ostler from behind, in quiet voice;
and the gentleman gave start, not
thinking anybody was near. t., .,..
"Ay; mine has seen good service, and
he has been worked hard lately" an
swered the stranger, good-humoredly
"A very fine animal this, as you OBJ
serve, And YETI stepping back to look
critically at it, ''were my horse in good
condition it might not be much inferior
to this. They are not altogether unlike:
about the same height, and. much the
same in color-brown.
With the last words, the stranger went
back to the house, whistling. The ostler
Peered after him through the dusk while
he made his comments.
''You have got cheek, master, who
ever you may be; and impudent cheek
it is. Going and comparing of the two
bosses like that!-this fifty guinea beau
tiful animal, and that there wretched old
hack O. theirn! What next? l wonder
who they be, when they be at homer"
And, with that, he locked the stable
door.
"Well, cried the elder traveller when
he other one returned. "Any chanceP"