Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-04-26

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francs, rememUer, was set notice; "Dame
Allavay. from Bartholomew fair Here are
the best geese, and she doos them a. well rs
eves che did" tostled my way along, keep
ing tight hold on my pockets, for fear OF cut
purses; when presently, about half way down
The street, there arose the noise Of shouting.
The crowd made rush towards II; and In
minute was left alone, standing before
tugglsr who had sword haaf way down his
throat, and had to draw IL out again before
be could with any sufflciency curse the de-
fection Of his audience; but offered to pull
out a tooth for me II wanted IL.
I left him, and, running after the crowd,
soon learned the cause Of this tumult.
Il was q meager old rascal that some one
bad charged with picking pockets; and they
we're dragging him Of to he ducked. Now
In the heart Of Vantage the little stream
that runs through the town Il widencd into
cistern about ten feet square and five In
depth over which hung q ducking stool for
scolding wives. And since the townspeople
draw their water from this cistern, 'tis TO be
supposed they do not fear the infection. A
long beam ON q pivot hangs out over the
pool, and 10 the end II a chair fastened, into
which, despite his kicks and screams, they
now strapped this poor wretch, whose gray
locks might well have won mercy for him.
Sousel he was plunged; hauled up choking
and dripping; then-just ~ he found tongue
to shriek-sousei again.
Twas dismal punishment; and this time
they kept bin under for full half minutc
But as the beam was lifted again, heard
hullabaloo and cry:
1.-THE beari the bearl"
And, turning, I saw q great brown form
numbering down the street behind, and driv-
ing the people before It like chaR.
Tho crowd at the brink Of the pool scat
tered TO right and left, yelling. Up few the
beam Of the ducking stool, relieved Of their
weight. and down with splash went the
pickpocket at the far end. As well for my
own skins sake a. out Of pity to SEQ him
drowning jumped into the water. In two
strokes reached him, gained footing, and
with Anthonys sword cut the straps away
and pulled him up. And there we Stood up
to our nccks, coughing and splutterng, while
on tho deserted brink the bear shifted at the
water and regarded us.
Nodoubt we appeared contemplate enough,
for after time he turned with louder sniff
and went his way lazily up the street again.
He had broken out from the pit wherein, for
tho best part Of the day, they had baited him,
yet seemed TO bear little malice For he
sauntered about the town for an hour or two,
hurting no man, but making a clean sweep Of
every sweet stall in his way, and was taken
at last very easily, with his head in trcacle
cask, by the bear ward and a few dogs
Meanwhile the pickpocket and / had
scrambled out by the further bank and
wrung our clothes. He seemed 10 resent his
treatment no more than did the bear.
"Ben cove--'tis good world. My thanks!"
And with this scant gratitude he was gone,
leaving me to make my way back to the sign
Of "The Boot" where the chambermaid led
mo upstairs and took away my clothes to dry
by the fire. determined TO buy horse on
the morrow, and with my guineas aad the
kings letter under the pillow dropped of to
slunber again.
My powers Of sleep must have hssunoised
abroad by the hostess, for next morning at
the breakfast ordinary the dealers and
drovers laid down knife and fork to stare as
l entered. After while one or two lounged
out and brought In others to look, SO that
soon was in ring Of stupid faces, all gaz-
ing like SO many cows.
For n while affected to eat undisturbed,
but lost patience at last and addressed a red
headed gazer:
'If you take me for show you ought to
pay"
"That's fair" said the fellow, aud laid a
groat on the board. This came near to put
ting me in passion, but his face was serious.
"'Tis a real pleasure" he added heartily,
ITO look on one SO gifted"
"lf any Of you" said, ''could sell me a
horse
At once there was n camor, all bidding In
one breath for my custom. So, finishing my
breakfast, walked out with them to the
tavern yard, where l had my pick among
the sorriest looking dozen Of nags In Eng
land, and finally bought from the red haired
man, for five pounds, bride, Aaddle and a
flea bitten gray that seemed more honestly
raw boned than the rest And the owner
wept tears at parting with his beast, and
thereby added pang to the fraud he had
already put upon me. And l rode from the
tavern door suspecting laughter in the eyes
Of every passer by.
The day ttwas drawing near noon as
starte6 was cold and clear, with coating OF
rime over the fields; and my horses feet rang
chcerfully on the frozen road. His pace was
of the soberest; but, as ! was no skilful rider
this suited mo rather than not Only il wa:
CALLING to DO told SO, as happened before
had gone three miles.
Twas my friend the pickpocket; and ht
sat before fire of dry sticks a little way
back from the road. His scanty hair, stiff a
badgers, now stood upright around his bat
tered cap, and he looked at me over the bushes
| with his hooked nose thrust forward like
| birds beak.
"Bien lghtmans, comrade-good dayl I'll
good world; SO stop and dine"
lpulled up my gray.
"Glad you find it So" answered; 'yo,
had nigh chance TO compare it with the mex
last night"
'Shan't do so we'll i the next, fear" h
said, with twinkle; "but l owe thee some
thing, and here's hedgehog that In five min
utes II be baked to a turn. 'Tis good world
and the better that no man can count on 1t
Last night my dripping duds helped me to
cant tale and got me silver penny from
man Of religion. Goods in the worst; ant
life's like hunting the squirrel-a man get
much good exercise thereat, but seldom wha
he hunts for"
That's as good morality as Aristotle's.
"'Tis better for me, because tits mine
While tethered my horse he blew at the EN-
bers, wherein lay a good sized ball Of ella,
baking. After while he looked up with re,
checks "They were SO fast set on drowning
me-" he continued, with a wink, "the.
couldn't spare time to look i my pocket-th
ruiiln ely theml"
'He pulled the clay ball out of the fire
cracked it, and lol inside was a hedgeho
cooked, the spikes sticking in the clay, an
coming away with 1t, So he divided the fles
with his knife, and upon a slice Of bread fror
his wallet it made delicate eating; though
doubt IL ! enjoyed il as much as did my com
rade, who swore over and over that the worl
was good, and as the wintry sun broke out
and the hot ashes warmd his knees, began ;
chatter at great pace.
why, sir, but for the pretty uncertaint
Of things I'd lief die here as l sit'--
He broke of at the sound of wheels, and
coach with two positions spun past us ON tn
road
had lust time to catch glimpse of n fig