The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-03-05

WHeu was DeSet Dy the mlnlOnS o
outrage and violence. Had it no
been for this accident, the affair o
this morning might have had ;
more tragic conclusion
Ernest, on investigating the
pistol further, discovered that il
was entirely empty.
"Sir," said he, "I believe yor
have forgot to charge your fire
arms" with some difficulty sup
pressing the laugh which he felt
very much inclined to break into
at the puzzled countenance of the
little sheriff, on the announcement
of this discovery.
"Well, sir-yes,' he replied,
turning again to Mr.. Greenberry,
and resuming the conversation to
hide his confusion, where Ernest
had interrupted it. eyes, sir, |
am now summoning a posse"
"And by st. Pathrick! Mr.. Stuy-
vesant," said the son of Erin,
speaking up very seasonably to
relieve the confounded officer.
"Pat McCleary'll volunteer to help
take the ould witch in her den."
"And shall be permitted the
pleasure Of enrolling myself under
your patriotic banner Ernest
asked, with Unsurpassed mirth,
in consequence of the ludicrous dis
play the officer was making of his
powers of elocution, being always
ready for any break-nec scrape,
and eager to avail himself of the
present opportunity of catching a
glimpse of Mrs. Darly's fair
daughter, concerning whose match
less beauty he had heard so much.
"With the greatest of pleasure, "
the dapper little sheriff replied,
making low bow to Ernest, and
describing the wonted circle with
his hat, which was his custom when
the occasion, as in the present in
stance, called forth the greatest dis
play of the officers good breeding.
"We will be exceedingly gratified
to have the honor of your company
on the present occasion. [ admire
youl paiseworthy devotion, gentle
men," continued the diminutive
functionary, ''to the cause of law
and order. And | shall accept
your protfered aid the more readily
on account of it being rendered in
so magnanimouS manner.
AS it is altogether a matter OF
impossibility for the reader to form
a just idea of the fray between the
hag and officer by the pedantic
volubility of the latter, 1 will pre-
mise brief synopsis of the affair,
that he or she may better under
stand the drift of our story.
The doughty Stuyvesant, it ap-
pears, had presented himself before
Mrs. Darly's domicil, and with that
wonted display of authority so
peculiar to this worthy, summoned
the beldame to appear, which she
did, with her accustomed smile of
deception and honeyed greeting,
Notwithstanding she had just risen
from a wrangle with Mel respecting
the latter's testimony in the ap-
preaching lawsuit, which the two
had been discussing over a bowl of
Niel's favorite toddy.
"L-o-r-d! Mr.. Stuyvesant, do
alight and come into the house, |
can't express my delight to see
YOU"
This very winning request, how
ever, the gallant sheriff thought fit
to decline, with one of his most
ostentatious displays Of etiquette,
acquainting the matron at the same
time with the nature of his business.
T-o-r-d let me see the warrant,
Mr.. Stuyvesant, You please" said
the hag, extending her hand towards
the sheriff, who placed the writ In it.
Glancing over the paper with
flashing eyes, in an instant she tore
it into thousand pieces, and siez-
ing an angle-rod that lay close by,
measured the bony sides of the poor
sheritf7s poorer steed, till the sturdy
strokes reverberated in sullen
echoes from the neighboring cliffs;
and raising at the same time, a
"hark hillaloo!" a pack of baying
hounds, barking ours, and yelping
puppies, came bounding from every
Granny of the old mansion around
the frightened sheriff and his anat-
omical horse.
The old creature that had stood
Mrs. Darly's violent onset with the
most stoical Indifference, now, how
ever, began to show its latent metal
when the canine gang, cheered on
by Helen came yelping and snap
ping at the animals heels. Picking
up its heels like a courser on the
turf, the old beast bounded off at a
hard gallop. The terrified sheriff
resigned the rein for a more secure
hold of the name, while his bell
crown, with the valuable documents
it contained, came within on ace of
going with the first gust of wind
among the hungry dogs. The re-
treating limb of the law roared out