The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-08-25

6te0Ql1y aIOu& the QuSL rO8O JOW8tOo
Wel1and, the captor moody and silent,
the prisoner talkative and entertaining.
Yates conversation often went beyond
the entertainment, and became, at
times, instructive. He discussed the
affairs of both countries, showed way
out of all political difficulties, gave
reasons for the practical use Of COM
mon sense in every emergency, passed
opinions on the method Of agriculture
adopted in various parts Of the country,
told stories of the war, gave instances
Of men In captivity numbering those
who were in charge Of them, deduced
from these anecdotes the foolishness of
resisting lawful authority lawfully ex-
ercised, and in general showed that he
was man who respected power and
the exercise thereof. Suddenly branch
ing to more practical matters, he ex-
claimad:
Say, Stoliker, how many taverns
are there between here and Welland?'
6toliker had never counted them.
''Well, that's encouraging, anyhow.
II there are SO many that 1t requires an
effort of the memory to enumerate
them, we will likely have something to
drink before long"
'Inever drink while on duty" said
stoliker, CURLY.
! 'Oh, we'll, don't apologize for it.
Every man has his failings. I'll be
only too happy to give you some in
structions. I have acquired the useful
practice Of being able to drink both on
duty and OFF duty. Anything can be done,
Stoliker, if you give your mind to it.
don't believe in the word can't either
with or without the inverted comma"
Stoliker did not answer, and Yates
yawned YEARLY.
II wish you would hire rig, con-
stable. I'm tired of walking. I've
been on my feet ever since three this
morning"
II have no authority to hire buggy"
''But what do you do when prisoner
refuses to move?"
II make him move," said Stoliker,
shortly.
"Ah, see. That's good plan, and
saves bills at the livery-stable.
They came to a tempting bank by the
roadside, when Yates cried:
"Let's sit down and have rest. I'm
tired out. The sun is hot and the road
dusty. You can let me have half an
hour; the days young yet
'I'u let you have fifteen minutes
They sat down together. II wish a
team would come along,' said Yates,
with sigh.
"No chance Of team, with most of
the horses in the neighborhood stolen
and the troops on the roads,"
''That's so,'' assented Yates, sleepily.
! He was evidently done out, for his
chin dropped on his breast and his eyes
closed. His breathing came soft and
regular, and his body leaned towards
the constable, who sat bolt upright.
Yates left arm fell across the knees of
Stoliker, and he leaned more and more
heavily against him. The constable
did not know whether he was sham
ming or not, but he took no risks. He
kept his grasp firm on the butt of the
revolver. Yet, he reflected, Yates
could surely not mediate an attempt
on his weapon, for he had few min
utes before told him story about
prisoner who escaped in exactly that
way. Stoliker was suspicious Of the
good intentions of the man he had in
charge; he was altogether too polite
and good-natured; and, besides, the
constable dumbly felt that the prisoner
was much cleverer man than he.
/, "Here, sit up" he said gruf1y. I'm
not paid to carry you, you know"
''What's that? What's that? What's
that?" cried Yates, rapidly, blinking
his eyes and Strengthening up. ooh,
it's only you, Stoliker. l thought it
was nv friend Remark. Have been
asleep?''
EITHER that or pretending-1 don't
know which, nor do care"
sob! must have been pretending"
answered Yates, drowsily; 81 can't
have dropped asleep. How long have
we been here?'' ...-...
"About five minutes"
Cali right" And Yates head began
to droop again.
This time the constable felt no doubt
about it. No man could initiate sleep
so well. Several times Yates nearly
fell forward, and each time saved HIM
self, with the usual luck Of q sleeper or
drunkard. Nevertheless Stoliker
never took his hand from his revolver.
Suddenly with greater lurch than
usual Yates pitched head-frst down
the bank, carrying the constable with
him. The steel band of the handcuff
nipped the wrist of Stolker, who, with
an oath and a cry of pain, instinctively
grasped the links between, with his
right hand, to save his wrist Like
cat Yates was upon him, showing mar
velous agility for man who had just
tumbled in a heap. The next instant
he held aloft the revolver, crying tri-
umphantly:
"How's that, umpire? Out, I expect"
The constable, with set teeth, still
rubbed his wounded wrist, realizing the
hopelessness of the struggle.
"Now, Stoliker," said Yates, pointing
the pistol at him, what have you to
say before fre?"
Nothing" answered the constable,
Except that you will be hanged at