The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-10-27

new vicar of Leyburn. l have fair
smattering of theology, acquired during
more serious hours in England. Ihope,
therefore, shall not disgrace you"
The bushranger having attired himself
in the parsons clothes, the new vicar Of
Leyburn produced false beard thatwas
an admirable facsimile of Mr.. Jones'
beard and adjusted it. The meta
morphosis was as convincing as it was
complete.
One of the younger rogues was then
endued with Toms (the man's) clothes.
After which, with due salutations, the
car drove on, the parson and the real
Tom being the next moment carried off,
good humoredly enough, into the forest,
whence they soon reached the celebrated
Captain Murphy's lair.
On the second day after the new wears
arrival tongues began to sound his
praises. The next day it was known for
miles out that the parson was down
right capital fellow.
Something was TO happen on the even
ing of this third day. In his various pa
rochial visitations the new vicar had elo-
quently urged the more influential of his
parishioners to attend a very special
meeting at the parsonage between 7 and
o'clock. One and all the 10 men came
to the meeting.
The time had purposely been left lit
tie vague. First came wealthy sheep
owner.
"Good evening, Mr.. Anderson" said
the new vicar to this gentleman. "Step
in, if you please"
The door Immediately closed upon Mr..
Anderson, and he was covered with re-
volver on either side of him. In fact,
there were four men and four revolvers
opposed to him.
''Now, sharp's the word, Mr.. Ander-
son." said the new vicar briskly, with
his hands deep in Mr.. Jones pockets,
"checkbook, self or bearer, CT ,00O."
"Who are We, them" Mr. Anderson
was beginning to exclaim, with some
impotence, when the little guns drew
nearer to him, and one of them clicked.
Gill Murphy, at your service, Mr..
Anderson" was the reply. There's two
minutes for you. Thirty seconds of it's
gone"
Then, with a resounding sigh, the big
sheepowner sat down and wrote the
check.
One of Captain Murphy's aids at this
moment whistled. With scant ceremony
Mr.. Anderson was hustled out of the
room into certain yardhouse that was
both strong and remote. Here he was
locked in.
In all 10 checks were reaped in at this
compulsory offertory in the vicarage, and
in all there were 10 leading parishioners
in the vicarage yardhouse, we'll i'm
INJURED and kept in comparative quietude
by a couple Of gentlemen with revolvers,
who covered them from two side win.
dows without glass, but with an iron
grill to each.
The 10 leading parishioners were rather
wild, especially Mr.. Smithson, but it was
evident they were in masterful hands,
and for their lives sake they did not 60
beyond verbal abuse and anger.
THAT" said Captain Murphy, as he
looked through the sheaf of checks, will
be 81, 600 apiece, my boys, and CO, 900 for
me. And now, Mike, get out the cart
and drive like lightning. l must have a
clear six hours start of Leyburn. That'H
just bring me to Brisbane in time to cash
this paper and be off again"
The cart was being prepared with the
utmost celebrity, when Captain Murphy
stepped out Of the house for a moment.
To come face to face with-Edith Gas
ton.
At the came moment the sham wears
beard got detached from his face and
fell to the ground.
The surprise on the girls face was
scarcely so keen as one would have ex-
pected it to be.
Truth to tell, she had heard the new
wears voice when he had paid her father
visit the previous day, and though she
had not then put in an appearance she
half suspected that something odd was
in the wind.
Still the denouement brought about
by the slipping of Captain Murphy's dis
guise did startle her a bit. Her presence
was even more of a shock to Captain
Murphy, who had until now failed to re-
member that she was CASTOR as well as
Edith.
When he bowed, with a look of shame
in his eyes, she did not so much as move
her head to him.
"Where is my father% she asked.
'He will be with you by and by, Miss
CASTOR"
!"How do know that? Mr.. Murphy,
how could you descend to such wicked
ness as this?
81 think understand your game. You
insult the Deity as easily as you pick the
pockets of your fellow creatures. Mr..
Murphy, would rather be the meanest
wretch in Melbourne than be you, with
your crimes on my shoulders. Let me
tell you straight what think of YOU"
mo, don't do that" pleaded the bush
ranger.
81 shall do it. Do you know that when
l first saw you the other night thought
you man whom any one might be proud
to own as son, brother or husband. I'm
not used to skinning my notions, you
see. But that's all gone. Now, Mr..
Murphy, l despise you more than words
can tell. Where is my fatherr
zone momentp he said.
He stepped apart, to the horse and car,
whispered something to the man, took
! Fba nLaolu from HE ,,Oc1-o+ @o,o -. M.