The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-06-08
AN UNLUCKY RAID.

AN UNLUCKY RAID.
In the good old days of the Bow Street
runners, when highway assaults were
rife, and solitary post-chaise travellers
never iourneyed without pistols in their
pockets, and tremor at their hearts;
when strange feats in the shape of STAR
light robberies were boasted of, and a
s.Knight of the Road'' aspired to be
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 accommoda-
ton for the night. They were fashion
ably attired, and spoke in eondescending
tones to the landlord and servants, using
a 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 a supper to be served later. The
landlord himself brought in the brandy
and-water.
whats this story about great high
way robbery near here last night, land
lordp' 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 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 ride the ladies of every
ornament they wore"
ssScoundrels! r 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 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
looted it in minuet; dancing, it is said,
toperfection, as though they were used
tolead 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 O, they are bold, those gem
tlemen of the highwayr'
The two gentlemen, listening to this,
had Unun into h11ycfc cf 1or1rhfar xSRrt
what OF the men servants ?-what were
they doingr spluttered one.
"Only two were in attendance, sirs, it
seems; my lady's footman in the dickey,
4 and the position on the horses; and
i while two of the robbers were thus doing
lhelr dancing, the other two stood guard
over the men, each with his pistol cooked
ana his hand on the trigger, ready to fire
4 atthe least movement
And the upshot?''
\ The young ladies were bowed into
lnelr coach again, all with stately cere-
mony, and the robbers, after wishing
mem very courteous good night, rode
oH at canter, with every jewel they
nag possessed, small or large, costly or
SIMPLE, and my lady's purse into the
bargain. They may well boast
4 mat they lead merry lives, those men!
flne eommotion the news has caused
.ound about us to-day, as you may
i ing Of it,
The landlord, being called for else
\ snere, retired; the travellers slipped at
ven glasses, laughing away, and con-
se1sing with one another in an under
sun s,e Dusk came on, and the elder and
ai,er OF the two addressed his friend in
4 adltferent tone.
ABOUT time to see after the horse,
mi It, Jim? It's dark enough
was just going to- answered Jim.
aaa Draining his glass. he went away to
ne stable-yard.
Looking about him, with the air of a
sanoisseur, - after watching his horse
sas UP ms oats, he made himself ac-
aalhled with the arrangements of the
aaoles Some five or six horses were
ehem. In the box next to his own
able. A '''iii'iai' esi'lehtiy saiu-
9 betfer steed nor your n, STRIP cried
ana essler xa from behind, in quiet voice;
th;al; me gentleman gave start, not
aslhg anybody was near.
~ mlne has seen good service, and
se.als aas neen worked hard lately,n an
Il su the stranger, good -humoredly.
sr,a s1y me animal this, as you OBJ
erit;e.,-A and yet stepping back to look
eaas;a. eaily at it, .swere my horse in good
tetb. .s'on 1t It might not be much inferior
sbsa, ss. They are not altogether unlike:
ue the same heipht. and rnueh the