Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-07-01

which kept for more than a month i,
my bosom, reading it every day when
could snatch a moment Mathew came "a
me, and after little preamble, of which
l am going to tell you, re-opened the dis
tasteful subject of courtship. was i,
the garden, gathering herbs for a min
Julep, when saw him standing at tn,
garden gate. He locked so iocund, b,
smiled so pleasantly, and he wore SO sci
satisfied an air, that was quite certain
some evil thing had happened.
"Drusilla," he said, II have heard Ger
tain intelligence. You may depend upor
its truth, which is confirmed in every psr
ticular. think that you should be tn,
tlrss to hear OF it, sad though it be; vel
what could not but expect"
Il suppose" l said, with a laugh. be
cause l knew that he was about to invent
some wicked falsehood, II suppose YOU
have got something to tell me about
RalpH, whom your cruel conduct drove
out into the world ?"
Nay" he replied, looking darkly, We,
with smile, You may say what YOU
please; you cannot offend me. have iusI
come nom Alnwick, where so!d four fat
beasts. At the inn fell in with stroll.
Ing player, and talked with him over a
glass about his wandering life. Presently
l asked him whether he had seen any
where upon his travels, especially in places
where actors like himself, with profligates
and thieves resort, such lad as Ralph.
II Is wonderful to relate that he remem-
bsred seeing the boy at place called
Grantham. 1t was about six or seven
years ago. The reprobate lad was making
love-to young actress. When my in
lormant came across the party again Ralph
had left them"
At first concluded that this was sheer
fabrication, but afterward cleaned that it
was to certain extent true; that is, that
Ralph had made the acquaintance of the
actress and her family on his way to Lon
don; but there was no love making. How
could there he, when he was already in
love with INT? And what follows was
pure and clumsy invention.
HE wandered about with them PLAYING
and acting" Mathew went on, "tor four
or five years. Then he deserted them, or
was turned out in disgrsoe--it matters not
which-and, l am ashamed 10 say"-but
he looked delighted-'toOk to the road,
where he is now known everywhere as
Black Ralph or Bloody Ralph"
"Are you quite sure of what you say ?"
AS sure as am that he will be hanged
az soon as be is caught"
81 know not by what reasons Mathew
persuaded himself, if indeed he did per-
suade himself. that Black Ralph, who was
notorious highwayman about this time,
and practiced his wicked calling on the
York road, was Ralph Emble:on. Yet he
made 80 certain of it that he told-under
strict promise ofsecrecy-the barber, who
told everybody, also under promise of
secrecy, and it was noised about that the
distinction of giving birth to the most
bloodthirsty william in England belonged
to Warkworth, and many people advised
Mathew to 90 armed and provide his
house with a loaded blunderbuss, a bull
dog and few man traps, because his cousin
would probably visit him with intent to
murder rs we'll as rob.
al suppose" Mathew went on to me,
that you will give up thinking OF that
young vsgabOnd. A pretty girl like you
should throw your thoughts higher. Why,
though your fathers q beggar, as one
might say"---
"He is not a beggar so long as my grand
mother lives"
Perhaps that will not be much longer"
ho replied with an ugly grin. "Now,
Dsusilla, listen to me. You know that I've
been waiting just till you grew up, and
then for-!or one or two little things to
ripen which have now ripened and turned
out pretty well. Now that everything is
ready, there is no reason to wait any long
er. Ralph being highwayman and Ger
tain to be hanged'-
Then, Mathew" replied, 81 will
wait until he il hanged, and then you can
talk to me again if you like. Now, go
away, and leave me to my work"
TO RE c1STJNI-ED