The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-06-04

clothes, such as man peddling small wares
through the country would have. together
with peddler's pack and the articles which
make up the stock in trade of such a char
aeter. Now, | have no doubt, if / had
come into this district and moved about
trying to sell cheap mirrors, combs and
hair-brushes, hair-oil and haudkerchiefs to
the country people, | should have some
difficulty in taking, not merely my pack.
bns my skin, safey out of the place |
accordingly decided not to arrive there for
tha purpose OF selling my stock. but simply
as one passing through and accidentally de-
tanned. We shall pass near the house
Were | made my second experiment |
have been told it stands still. 1t was pub
lie house, at that time kept by a widow,
and capable of accommodating few lodg-
ers.
Disguised as a peddler, with my pack on
my back, and stout blackthorn stick in my
hand, quickly moved away in the dusk of
the second evening from my refuge Before
leaving, l gave myself the appearance of be-
ing traveled-stained and fatigued, and, hav-
ing made circuit, dropped down on the
publiehouse just as the inmates were settling
to rest from the labors of the day. My re-
ception was very cold. The widow looked
on me with evident suspicion. / leaned
against the counter, and asked what was the
distance to town. "About seven miles,
she said. gave weary sigh, and inquired
II she could let me have something to eet
and 10 drink. After some hesitation, was
told that conld be supplied, and then, with
another weary sigh, sank on q wooden
bench. had come limping in, and now
that was seated commenced to undo the
fastenings of the clumsy and dusty boots |
wore explaining that feared | had injured
my ankle as l came along. l did not appear
TO take the slightest notice of anything GO
ing on around and waited patiently, YEARLY,
while my refreshment was being got ready.
The widow could not endure my silence and
indifference, and, as after occurrences proved,
she was one of those who then took lively
interest ia all the arrivals in and departures
from that particular district. Having
throw out few preliminary feelers, she
asked me where came from, where / was
| going to, what was my name, had L ever
| been round here before, did know any one
| there, and so on. | must confess that my
replies were remarkable, at least for ingenn-
| ity. have travelled long distance, told
her, aud, feared, over-exerted myself, be-
ing anxious to reach town that night. /
said tb.,t | belonged to the County Kerry,
| which was true, and that was making my
| way home, trucking along as | went, taking
some little money to help my mother, Wild
ow, TO pay the September rent. The end of
| it was that my distressed-looking condition
and my anxiety TO get to the town induced
| the land-lady, much to my relief, to suggest
| that she could accommodate me for the night.
| After some Teflexion and hesitation | said |
would remain, giving special directions that
| should be called early next morning for
| the road. When morning came | said the
| flesh around one of my ankles was so much
| swollen that | could scarcely endure the
pain caused by placing the foot on the
| ground. could not neve that day.
AS customers began to come in | was an
| object of curiosity. | was eyed with sus-
| picion, and there were frequent whispered
conferences, which clearly were held in my
| interest. | took no notice of anything,
mezSly limping about on my stick, lonngi ny
in the shop, and enjoying an occasional glass
| of beer. My pack was also observed closely,
| and when the widow bad made some inquir-
| les as to its contents and my general mode of
| procedure, she limited that she would like TO
have look at the treasures contained with
| in. took off the straps and displayed the
articles, explaining that | would dispose of
everything at cost price, as l was anxious to
have all sold before | reached home. The
old woman bought few things, which let
her have cheap, but not too cheap. And
| then few women, who had been present
| while she was negotiating her purchases,
| commenced an examination on their own
| account They were allured by the bargains
| was selling, and invested a few shillirgs
with me. While this was going on | was
| startled to find standing by my side young
| girl, whom / had seen frequently, with the
| aid of my glass, at the house on the hillside
| the house in which lived one of the men
on whose trail | was. could scarcely con
| ceal my excitement. thought those around
| could hear my heart beating. Was in luck?
| Was some clue about being placed in my
| hands by which I conId help justice to vim
l.. r a.. ~.
| tween the widow and the girl look Of the
most meaning character. 1t came and went
| with lightning-like rapidly, but caught it.
| There was common understanding here,
| and the murderers were at the end of 1t.
| Such was my conclusion.
| had left letter with my friend, the ex-
1 constable, to be delivered to my officer in
case succeeded in getting footing at the
| inn. Ii contained a few suggestions, and,
| just while these transactions were going for
| ward, one Of them was carried out, and had
a marvellous effect in establishing me in the
good graces of the widow and her friends.
Four armed policemen suddenly entered the
| shop. After looking carefully at me, two of
them jumped to the door, and the other two
seized me. There was great commotion. l
struggled to free myself; when / fonndjthat
useless demanded why they should treat
me SO.
AoAb VIII AO AONs my SCOu lctlbNs S&lu
the man in charge. You're doing it very
well indeed. Handcuff him." said he, nod
ding to the man who held me.
mo, you won't handcuff mer' | cried.
again commencing to struggle. 81 did moth
ing to hurt any one; and you must tell me
what you are going to handcuff me for be-
| fore you do it,
swell, then, if you want to know" said
| the policeman, while the handouts were
being got ready, i. is for firing at Colonel
| BIackthorn up near Nenagh last weekr'
| Nonsense, manr' | rejoined. II was
never near Nenagh. | tell you, you are
making mistake; and you should be very
cautious before arresting any decent man on
such charge"
He begant to hesitate, and then asked his
subordinates if any of them had copy of
| the Hue and Cry. copy was produced,
| and taking it in his hand, be began to read
out each item, aud to study my appearance
| very closely as he went along.
Brown eyes; slight hair;'' ssreddish
| whiskers; rather stout; g about five feet six
| inches" ''Ahr' he calculated; and then, in
a stagewhisper to. his men, he said, 81
| think we have made mistake
He put me through very close examine
| ton as to my movements and intentions,
| and wound up by telling me the sooner ]
took myself out Of that locality the better.
| There were enough Of suspicious characters
around there without having me added to
| the number. To which / replied that was
never called suspicious character before,
and that | would remain there as long as /
| pleased, as my occupation was honest and
| lawful, and wound up BY saying that de-
| fed him or any man in the same jacket to
| prove anything wrong against me. Warm
| language was used on both sides and the
| party went away, leaving me firmly fixed In
| the esteem of those around me. Without
| any attempt at concealment the widow and
| the girl went together into little sanctum
| off the shop. What would / not have giving
then for the privilege Of hearinf their CONVEX
sation! That 1t had reference to my business
did not doubt. But in what way? could
not 20 further then, surrounded as was by
my customers; and appearing to be com
pletely occupied in selling my stock, the
only thing | could do was to observe closely
every act and every word of the two parties
in whom / now felt SO strong an interest.
When the conference ended they both re-
turned to the shop, the girl joining the
| group around my pack. showed her some
articles, and put a very gaudy-looking
jacket into her hands. She wore shawl,
aid / got her to remove it and try on the
jacket. | now felt that / had gained most
important point. Whether she brought