The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-06-08


and the linen Indifferent white. There was
plenty of clean straw, though, on the floor.
had intended to sleep-which / did net.
Instead, having blown out my light, al
on the beds edge, listening to the big clock
over the hall as it chimed the quarters, and
waiting till the fellows below should be at
their ease. That Master Tingcomb rested
under the coffin lid did not believe. IN suita
of the terrifying fit that l could vouch for
But this if driven to it, we could discover al
the grave. The main business was to catch
him: and TO this end meant to patrol ths
buildings, and especially watch the entrance.
on the likely chance of his creeping back to
the house Of not already inside) to confer
with his fellow rascals.
/ As IL o'clock sounded, therefore, I tapped
on Billy's wall, and finding that Matt. Soames
was keeping watch Jas we had agreed upon).
slipped off my boots Our rooms were on
the first floor, over straw yard, and the dis
tance TO the ground an easy drop for a man.
But wishing to be silent as possible, knotted
two blankets together and, strapping the end
round the window mullion, swung myself
down by one hand, holding my boots in tho
other.
dropped very lightly, and looked about
There was faint moon up and glimmering
I /
shadow, and along this / crept The straw
yard led into the court before the stablevand
so into the main court. All this way heard
no sound, nor spied 50 much as suecx Of
light in any window. The house door was
closed, and the bar fastened on the great
gate across the yard. turned the corner to
explore the third side Of the house.
Here was group Of outbuildings jutting
out, and between them and the high outer
wall q narrow alley. Twas with dffficultyI
CROPPED my way here, for the passage was
dark as pitch, and rendered the straighter
by line of ragged laurels planted under the
house; so that at every other step I would
stumble, and run my head into bush.
had done this for the eighth time, and
was cursing under my breath, when on a sud-
den heard a stealthy football coming down
the alley behind me.
master Tingcomb, for crownr' Thoughts
I, and crouched to one side under asbush.
The footsteps drew nearer. A dark form
parted the laurels; another moment, and I
bad it by the throat.
''Uugh-ugh-grrI For the Lords sake,
"Trip
1 loosed my hold; twas Matt. Soames.
''Your pardon" whispered Il; ''but why have
you left your postg'
freedom-ugnl my poor pipel-to-to''--
He broke OFT to catch me by the sleeve and
pull me down behind the bush. About twelve
PAGES ahead heard a door softly opened and
saw shaft of light flung across the path
between the glistening laurels. As the ray
touched the outer wall marked small pos
tern gate there, standing open.
Covering lower, we waited while man
might count fifty. Then came footsteps
crunching the gravel, and a couple of men
crossed the path, bearing a large chest be-
tween them In the light I saw the handle
of spade sticking out from it; and by bis
gait knew the second man to be my ons
eyed friend.
'sWoe's my old bonesf' he was muttering;
''here's a fardel for man o my yearsin
''Hold thy breath for the next loadlr
growled the other voice, which as surelywas
the good minister's.
They passed out at the small gate, and by
the sounds that followed we guessed they
were hoisting their burden intoa cart. Pres
emily they recrossed the path and entered
the house, shutting the door after them.
''Now for itF' said in Matt IS ear Gliding
forward, peeped out at the postern gate,l
but drew back like shot.
had almost run my head into great
black hearse, that stood there with the door
open, backed against the gate, the heavy
plumes nodding above it in the night wind
Who held the horses had not time to sesf
but, Whispering to Matt to give me leg up,
clambered inside "Quickr' I pulled him
after, and crept forward. I wondered tho
, man did not hear us; but by good luck the
! horses sssss-rsstive, and by his maudlin tall
to them knew he was- three parts drsuS
the funeral wines ozSDtlesS
crept along and found the tool chest
slowed against the farther end; 50, pulling II
gently out, we got behind it. Though Matt
was the ittlest man of my acqnaintarfcef
twas the work of the world to stow ourselves
S in such compass as to be hidden. BY COLI
ing up our limbs we managed it; but only
Just before caught the gfimner OF aihghr
and heard the pair Of rascals returning.
They came very slow, grumbling all the
way; and, of course, knew they carried this
coffin.
= .AII right, Sin?' asked the minister.
t cay" piped squealy voice by the horses
heads PtwaS the shutting stable boyi-'.ay,
but look sharpi Lord, what sounds I've
: heerd The devils + the hearse, for surel"
ssNow, Simmy,n the oneEeyed gaffer expos
7 tulated. s4hou doesn't think the smoky king
Q is a-took m, same as they poor roIEsup stafrss
S Tee-heel Lord, what trickl-to CONS for
|, Master Tingcomb, an fnd-aw dear awt
o bless my old ribs, what thing is hunor"
); ''5hut upln grunted the minister. The end
of the cdfin was tilted up into thehearsss
''Push, old varmintT
''Ay-pushi pushI Where be my young,
y active sinews2 What q shriveled garment is
b all my cornelinessl The devil inside,' says
;, Simmy-haw, hawl"
e ''Burn the thingl 'twon't go in for the tool
r box Push, thou cackling old wcrmsi"
:, ''Now so | be, but my natural strength =
Z abated 'Yo-heavs hoI like the sailed seo-
II fardingers up stairs. Pushl pushp'
u 'sOh, my inwardsI" groans poor Matt.
Is under his breath, into whom the chest Wa
!" squeezing sorely.
''Right at lastr' says the minister. ssNow,
Sirnmy, my lad, hand the reins an jump ups
/ There's room, an you'll be wanted. ~
o The door was clapped TO, the three rogue9
i climbed upon the seat in front, and ne
j started.
1 hopeI may never be called to pass such
another half hour as that which folloued-
AS soon as the wheels left turf for the herd
y road, twas jolt, Jolt, all the way, and tEi1
S lying mainly down hill, the chest and coffin
3, came grinding into our ribs, and pressing Ill
we could scarcely breathe. And dared nos
10 climb out over them, for fear the fellows
, should hear US; their chuclkling voices com
inc quite plain to US from the other side C
the panel held out and comforted Matt e
70 we'll as 1 could, feeling sure we should end
N Master Tingcomb at our journeys end. Soon
we climbed hill, which eased US 3 little, but
N shortly after were humping down again, and
suffering worse than ever.
:. ''Save u.s. uoaned Matt; where VIE tht.
- endr
70 The words were scarce out when we turned
III Lii 49, I~-.--