The St. Johns herald., 1889-07-04


 and started of for home He was : good bushman, and knew the way al most as well by night as by day, anC he trotted merrily along.
 ''He had very good path through the young gum-saplings, and almost le Bonnie Bess' guide herself He had passed a corner, and had merged int the open road, when all at once:
 "'Stopr
 "He started back and saw three mer black-masked, and each with a pisto in both hands.
 Where's the coin?'
 "'What coin?' asked my father.
 "Oh, that'n do, governor Wc know all about itr and at once they hauled him off his saddle.
 "'Now, boys, said the leader of the gang. who was big, powerful nan.
 .tWith these words they instantly proceeded to undress your grand father. They took his boots off and examined them carefully; they ripped open his coat and other garments; and, while he stood shivering there in the cold, they examined every article oi clothing he had on.
 Suddenly enc of the men called out:
 "'Go for the sadd.er and, to my fathers horror, they began to examine that
 After a search which proved fruit less the leader said: Well, reckon it's TO good. He ain't got the coinr
 "So with grunt they threw my grandfather his clothes, keeping his boots only. They said: You can keep your nag, governor, for he's too lame for us.
 My father, who had retained his usual coolness al! this time, said to one of the men:
 "'Well, suppose you are the man who is wanted by the po,;cs?'
 "'Yes, I'm JAc3y-Jac.1y"
 After dre5sil , himself, and thank ing the men fo- not mo'esting him any further, my father mouDted the lam. horse, and riding of reached home at about four o'clock in the morning. O.. course your dear grandmother was il an lawful fight, and lad not goEo tC bed at all,
 "A'tcr your grandfather had re- lated his adventure to her, she sail: And what good thing, dear, that you did not have tho money with you!
 But I h1 !n ~4
 You hrI Where was it?'
 My father went outside, and, re turning in few minutes. he dragged in the saddle, and placing it on the table, began with his pocket-knife tC very carefully cut the small stitching underneath. My mother looked on ip great wonde-ment, and exclaimed: But John, dear, you say they searched the saddle.
 (" 'So they did. dear. but they forgot that I should be equal to them. 1 hao old Brown, the saddler. in my little room at the hotel, and before I left. these notes were carefully stitcb d m with tho padding. Yoi know, dear. that as @ rule now notes arc merely slipped insid, the leather covering, but they did no reckon I should have these real!. stitched through.
 And there they we e, literally pierced with tiny holes, but none tn worse for thpt All 50 my fathel saved the litt,c church 9500.
 "The next morning we heard an ac count of the samo gang attacking tn mail-coach anl shooting the driveI dead. My father often says that i. they had taken a fancy to Bonnie Bess,' which they woall undoubtedly have done had sho not been lame. they might have carried off the saddle too, and then of course the money was theirs.
 You may be sure the church peo- pie were ve~y thankful, and in acknowledgement of his forethought they presented him with an address, knowing he would accept no present of money"
 When mother had finished her tale we were all very sleepy, for it was late; but we were little bit nervous, I think, during thrt night. I had an awful nightmare, in which I fancied had money stitched up inside my very skin.-Lit.e To k.