The Opelousas courier., 1886-01-09
THE MAIL ROBBER.

through the gate of the old English
city of Berwick. Approaching ths
sentinel, who was patiently walking
his lonely beat, he sat down, took q
crust of bread out of his pocket and
commenced eating with an apparent
relish. To the guard he seemed to be
d young artisan, although he could
not see the mans features, they being
entirely overshadowed by the broad
brim of his hat.
The rain commenced coming down
In torrents and the wind to blow furi-
ously, while the black clouds gathered
as il prepared for a regular tempest;
IL was just the kind of a night brig
ands would select for the execution of
their dark deeds.
Heaven guide you, il you are going
20 travel on such a night a this!' said
the sentinel, is t. lie man arose from
The settee to continue his journey.
.tThank your was the strangers
only answer. and, taking his heavy
cane, he wa soon on the desolate
heath which stretches out for miles
along the Tweed. Having worked his
way through the mud and mire for
on hour o. so, he stopped, and after
looking around as If to select a place,
he hid himself i'm the bushes along the
road. After having spent an hour
under his rather insufficient shelter,
he heard the sound of a horses hoofs
approaching, at which sound he slight
II raised himself, IS il preparing for
nj attack. The horseman was bent
over the steed's neck to break the
force of the wind, and was speeding
along as fast as the condition Of the
road would permit.
Suddenly, however. he felt some
one seize the reins and stop his horse.
Raising himself. his hands were held
and 8 pistol pointed at his head, while
d calm and rather mild voice told him
to AConae down. Although stiff with
cold and frightened through surprise
he made in attempt TO take out his
weapons, but as soon as he did so he
wa unceremoniously thrown from his
horse, and before he recovered himself
from the shock, bis horse and the mail
bag had disappeared with his assailant.
The day following the rohbing Of
the mail for the north of the British
kingdom was the day set apart for the
execution Of one Of King James oppo-
nents, Sir John C0chrane, who was
awaiting his death III d dark prison
cell at Berwick.
Sir John had identified himself with
Oh party which opposed James IL.
and being one of the leaders. be had
been taken by force and sentenced to
death. He had taken leave of ali his
friends and relatives except his oldest
daughter, who for some unknown rea-
b had thus far refrained from max
Ing useof the privilege of visiting him.
Az Sir John was specializing Id his
mind on the probable reason Of his
daughters motives Che door Of his cell
opened and ths jailer, accompanied by
d handsome young woman. entered.
sSir John, said the jaiIer, atba
mailbag which contained the Kings
warrant WA stolen from the postman
last night. and ID consequence your
execution will be postponed.
asr'hailk you.' said Sir John. hardly
knowing what To say for joy u seeing
biz daughter, To whom no turned, say
ing
dear Gertrude, my darling
danghserl''
~ dear father. said Gertrude.
when they were alone. take courage;
yon shall not die
ssWe hare no reason Tor expecting
pardon. aay daughter. NY life may
havs been prolonged q few days, but
the King Win sign another warrant
A ten aays, father Why. there il
hope 81 long asEhera Il Life. - not
grandfather i friend Of Father Peters.
ia King e~onfessor ANA eolnseIlor2s