Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-10-07
MET HIS MATCH.
THE FOOL AND TIE HIGII-
WAYMAN.

liSh Turpins and French Duval
couldn't hold a candle to OlW high
waymcn. But for all his shrewd
ness he met his match once, and III
tell you how it was.
Redmond was a fine, strappinp
gentlemanly fellow, and n devoted
admirer of the ladies' "a where il
the 1rishman that is not? AnC
what is more, friend to the poor
as you'll admit when l tell you thai
his demands for cash were OnlN
made on persons who could we'll at'
ford to meet them, and that he de
lighted in forcing contributions from
those who had the name of hare
landlords to their tenants. There
was one Of this class whom Red
mond never lost an opportunity o
taNing-fOr that was the polite name
he gave to his own robberics. Ev
cry quarter day this gentleman, OF
one Of his servants - sometime,
more than One-used to take iOur
ney OF six or seven miles to cOllec
his rents, and as regular as clock.
work there was Redmond O'IIanIon
with some stout companions, if nee
essy, to waylay the collector as he
returned home. Every means was
used to clude him, but to no purpose
lie had spies everywhere, and con
triVCd to get the exact information
he needed in advance.
SO ono quarter day, when the gen.
tleman's servants asked him about
hn l.,
O'Hanlon, and said he didn't see the
use of collecting money to hand il
over to him.
Now this gentleman had on his
estate boy called Jerry the Fool,n
who had the run of the house and
made fun for the family. He had a
great COnceit for himself, and " hen
he heard what his master said, nc
Immediately asked to he allowed to
go after the rents for once, and de-
clared he would know the way to
bring them home. OF course he
was only laughed at; but when he
represented that no harm would
come from trying, as he couldn't do
worse than all who had gone before
him, the master agreed to humor
him. Upon that, Jerry made such
as he thought suitable,
chose the worst horse in the stable
m old hack, half blind and three
quarters lame-and started on his
enterprise. Nothing occurred on
the way. He collected considera-
bic amount of money, carefully dis.
posed it about his person, and
started homeward.
Toward evening, as he was quietly
Jogging along on the old hack, and
was just entering a long lane with
high hedges on each side, tall, fine
looking man rode cup to him on a
roam mare.
"God save you, my man." says
he gentleman.
"God save your honor" replies
Jerry,
What's your namo my man ?n
asked the gentleman.
Jerry the Fool, and ain't
ashamed of il. What's yours ,"
The gentleman took no notice of
the question. After while he SAYS
. That's II fine animal you're riding,
Jerry ?"
Faith, Pm glad your honor likes
IT," said Jerry; but it isn't myself
hat'd care to take a lease of his life.
But he'd serve my turn, anyway,
'or its not in hurry Pm travelling
-pVe only been to the village be-
yond to collect the masters rents for
him"
"Surely he's not such Il fool to
trust you with that job?
Arrah, why not ?" asksd Jerry,
in great surprise.
Why don't you know that Red
mond O'Hanlon's on this road?"
Redmond O'Hanlon, is it," says
Jerry. ugh! That for Redmond
O'Hanlon !" says he, swapping his
fingers. Faix, Jerry the Fool is a
match for haIf dozen of the likes
of him any day in the week, and
into the bargain -
The stranger laughed, and then
rode on in silence till they came to a
very lonely part of the road, when
he drew II brace of pistols and told
jerry to hand uver all the money he
had about him, or he'd try if he had
any brains by sending II couple of
bullets through them.
Meala Murther - roars Jerry,
in surprise and fright. You don't
mean to say honor's Redmond
O'Hanlon 2"
Z" / do, indeed. So hand over. my
man, and look sharp about it,"
" But, taiX, its kilt entirely by the
master pll be when l get home with
out the ript."
"What's that to me 2" said O'Han.
Ion.
Anyhow," said Jerry, 81 must
show them that | made numbering
fight for it. Perhaps your honor
wouldn't mind firing IA shot through
my old beaver.
O'Hanlon did so, laughing at the
trick.
And now another through the
breast of my coat, and Heaven bless
you" Now just one i'm the skirt OF
it, and good luck to your honor"
"But Pve discharged both my
pistols, and don't want tho trouble
of loading them again for you"
"FaiX, l should dearly like a sho
through the skirts; it would show
fought desperate. Are you sure
your honor hasn't another pistol il
y iVr pocket that you wouldn't minC
firing for poor boys sake?"
"Confound you! To be sure
haven't. Hand over the money, o.
l'll beat you to a jelly with my
horsewhip."
WE'LL" says Jerry, after a goOC
deal OF fumbling, Il suppose, con
sidering the trouble I've had in col
lecting these rents, YOnr honor won,