Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-05

men: and all the knowledge Lad OF him was
picked up on the rare occasions about twice
! a YEAR, that dined at his table He had
! early married and lost an aged shrew, whose
mons had been the making of him, and had
more respect Tor law and authority than any
three men in Oxford. So that | reflected
with a kind Of desperate hilarity, on tie
I greeting he was like to give me-
/ This kinsman of mine had a fine house at
. the east end Of Merton street, as you turn
into Logic lane; and 1 was ten yards from
the front door and running my fastest, when
+ suddenly 1 tripped and fell headlong.
| Before could rise hand was on my shout
! der and q voice speaking in my ear:
pardon, comrade. We are two of trade,
Isee"
! Twas a fellow that had been lurking at the
/ corner of the lane and had thrust out a leg as
/ I passed. He was priclling up his ears now
! to the cries of Thief! thief" that had al
ready reached the head of the street and were
/ drawing near.
81 am no thief" said /.
Quick" He dragged me into the shadow
I of the lane. Hast a crown in thy pocketF
"WhyF'
"Why, for a good turn. I'll fog these gan-
try for thee. Many thanks, comrade," as
pulled out the last few shillings of my pocket
| money. Now pitch thy sword over The
wall here and set thy foot on my hand. lis
a rich mans garden, t'Other side, that vas
meaning to explore myself; but another night
will serve"
"'Tis Master Carriers" SAID L; land he is
my kinsman."
1.-The devil!-but never mind, up with thee!
Now mark pretty piece Of play It's pity
thou shouIdst be across the wall and unable
to see."
He gave a great hoist, catching at the cop
ing of the wall, 1 pulled myself up and sat
astride of it.
''Good turf below-ta-ta, comrade!"
By now the crowd was almost at the cor
ner. Dropping about eight feet on to good
turf, as the fellow had said, picked myself
up and listened.
(which way went he!" called one, as they
came near.
Down the street!1 No; up the lane!n
''Hush!" up the lane, I'll be sworn. ="
s'Here, hand the lantern!' etc, etc.
While they debated, my friend stood close
on the other side of the wall: but now heard
him dash suddenly out, and up the lane for
his life There he gOes!' stop him!" the
cries broke out afresh stop him, in the
kings name!" The whole pack went pelting
bv, shouting, stumbling, swearing.
For two minutes or more the stragglers
continued to hurry past by ones and twos.
As soon as their shouts died away, drew
freer breath and looked around.
| was ina small turfed garden, well stocked
with evergreen shrubs, at the back of n tall
house that knew for Master Carriers. But
what puzzled me was a window in the first
floor, very brightly lit, and certain sounds
issuing therefrom that had no correspond
ence with my kinsrnan'S reputation.
ut was a frog Ieaped into pool
Fol-de-riddle, went souse in the middle!
Says he. This is better than moping in school,
What a
"Your royal highness, have some pity!
What hideous follyl Oh, dear, dear
with fa-la-tYeedle-tw
Tiddifol-iddifol-ido!
Your royal highneSs, l cannot sing the
dreadful stuff Think of my gray hairs"
"Tushl Master Carter - nonsense; It's
choicely well sung. Come, brother, the
chorus!'
with a fa-Ia"-
And the chorus was roared forth, with
shouts of laughter and clinking of glasses
Then came an interval of mournful appeal,
and my kinsman's voice was again lifted:
"He scattered the tadpoles, and set 'em agog,
Hey nod-noddy-all head and no body
nanny, nunky!"-
"Oh, mercy, mercyl it makes me sweat for
shame"
Now meantime l had been searching about
the garden, and was lucky enough to find a
tool shed, and inside of this a ladder hanging,
which now l carried across and planted be-
meath the window. had a shrewd notion of
what l should find at:the top, remembering
now to have heard that the Princes Rupert
and Maurice were lodging with Master Car
ter; but the truth beat all my fancles.
For climbing softly up and looking in l
beheld my poor kinsman perched on his chair
atop of the table, in the midst of glasses, de-
canters and deserts; his wig askew; his face
white, save where, between the eyes, med
lar had hit and broken, and his glance shift
ing wildly between the two princes, who IN
easy postures, loose and tipsy, lounged on
either side of him and beat with their glasses
on the board.
"BravisSimo! More, Master Carter-moreP
80 NANNY, nunky, here's cousin Jack Frog
With fa-la'-
l lifted my knuckles and tapped on the
pane; wherein Prince Maurice starts up with
an oath, and coming to the window, filings it
open.
Pardon, your highness," said l, and pulled
myself past him into the room, as cool as you
please.
Twas worth while to see their surprise.
Prince Maurice ran back to the table for his
sword; his brother being more thoroughly
drunk dropped a decanter on the floor, and
Law back staring in his chair. While as for
my kinsman, lie sat with mouth wide and
eyes starting, as though were a very ghost
In the which embarrassment took occasion
to say, very politely:
GOOD evening, nunkyr'
"Who the devil is thisf' gasps Prince Ru-
pert.
'Why, the fact is, your highneSs," an
swered 1, stepping up and laying my sword
on the table, while 1 poured out a glass
master Timothy Carter here is my guar
dian, and has the small sum of GOO in his
possession for my use, of which happen to-
night to stand in immediate need. So you
seq finished the sentence by tossing of
a glass. This is rare stuffln / said.
BLOOD and furyl" burst cut Prince Rupert
fumbling for his sword, and then gazing,
drunk and helpless.
1.-TWO hundred poundl Thou jackanapes'
began Master Carter.
an let you off with fifty tonight" said L
"Ten thoJssandn-
"No, fifty. Indeed, nunky," went on,
''tis very simple. l was at the Crown
tavern
''At tavernn
LAY, at game of dice
"Diceln