The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-06-10
AN UNLUCKY RAID.

RTE, ana solitary pOst-chaise traveller
never journeyed without pistols in thei
pockets, and trcmor at their hearts
when strange feats in the shape of star
light robberics were boosted of, and {
knight of the Road aspired to b.
called 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 accommodate
ton for the night They were fashion
ably attired. and spoke in condescending
tones to the landlord and servants, using
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.
Whats this story about a great high
way robbery near here last night, land
lord?n questioned one. We heard of it
on the road coming along. Is it true?''
Quite true, sir. All, gentlemen it
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 a ball, when their car
riagc was stopped by four mounted
horscmen with cooked pistols The old
lady screamed and tainted; the young
ones screamed and Kicked and the gem
tlemen, those audacious robbers, bro
cecded politely to rifle the ladies of every
ornament they wore.n
''Scoundrels ~ interjected one of the
guests.
''Morc than that. your worships.
What should those bold blades do but
invite the damsels to tread a 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 U, they are bold, those gen
tlemen of the highwayr'
The two gentlemen, listening to this,
had gone into bursts of laughter. ..But
what OF the men-servants?-w 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
heir dancing, the other two stood guard
over the men, each with his pistol cooked
md his hand on the trigger, ready to fire
II the least movement"
And the upshot?'
The young ladies were bowed into
heir coach again, all with stately cere-
mony, and the robbers, after wishing
hem very courteous good night, rode |
'if at canter, with every Jewel they |
lad possessed, small or large, costly or
simple, and my lady's purse into the
bargain. They may well boast |
hat they lead merry lives, those men!
zine commotion the news has caused
'ound about us to-day. as YOU NAV
imagine, gentlemen. Everybody's talk
ng of il"
The landlord, being called for else
where, retired; the travellers slipped at
heir glasses, laughing away, and con-
'ersing with one another in an under
one. Dusk came on, and the elder and |
aller of the two addressed his friend in
! different tone.
About time to see after the horse.
sn I it. jim? It's dark enough"
II was just going to-" answered Jim.
lnd draining his glass, he went away to
he stable-yard.
Looking about him, with the air of a
onnoisseur, after watching his horse
at up his oats, he made himself ac-
uainted with the arrangements of the
tables. Some five or six horses were
them. In the box next to his own
TODD a splendid animal; evidently yalu-
"A better steed nor your'n, sirr' cried
ne ostler from behind, in quiet voice.
nd the gentleman gave a start. NOT
anybody was near
"Ay; mine has seen good service, and
9 has been worked hard lately" an
wered the stranger, spontaneously.
Avery line animal this, us YOU OBJ
erve. And yet" stepping back to look
riucaliy at 1t, ''were my horse in good
onditlon It might not be much inferior
TINS. They are not altogether unlike: ,
bout the same height. and much the
snle IN color-brown."
WIN the last words, the stranger went
ack 70 the house, whistling The ostler
eered after him through the dusk while ;
made his comments.
You have got a cheek. master, who !
'er you may be; and impndent cheek
IS. Gong and comparing of the two
uses like thst!Athis fifty guinea bean.
Iui animal. and that there Wretched old :
,ck o theirn! What nextp Twonder
no they be, when they be at homer, !
'or. = ~ T'5@2-', S''o1o y
We'll. cried the elder traveller wben :,