Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-06-23
ON THE FOOTBOARD.
An Ex-Criminars Yarn.
Is n Uv'NoR," said Jim Braggs, step

oools anu ucpositlug himself on cnalr
and his greasy hat underneath it, II can
put yer up to job ASH just suit yer
down to the ground"
His usually loud and gruff voice was
softened down till it was scarcely more
than q whisper, and his whole bearing
was one of mysterious importance.
may say at once that Braggs and
did not always work together. He was
a good craftsman at rough job, such
us opening safe or picking lock, and
whenever / needed assistance in that
direction / sought him out; but of the
finer elements of the craft, the subtle
scheming, the ceaseless ingenuity re-
quired to bring great coup to success
full conclusion, he was utterly ignorant.
Judging from his present demeanor,
he had become possessed of some infor-
nation which night lead to a good
stroke of business if handled properly,
and mistrusted his own powers of car
rying it through; for 1 knew full well
that had it been otherwise he would not
have wished to share the booty.
Without any great show of eagerness,
therefore, replied: well, what is it ~
why, this ere. To-morrer night, a
packet of papers is to be sent by special
messenger from firm of land-sharks
to gentleman in Cheshire, the afore-
said and 'ereinafter mentioned messen-
ger travelling by the Irish mail. Now,
it's very important to anuvver genel-
man that those identical doccyments
should get-shall we say mislaid; and if
a smart individual Tor couple, for the
matter of that was to make such ar
engagements that they did 'appen to get
-mislaid, why there'd be somefink like
five 'undred quid for 'em at the finish.
Twig?"
This looked promising, but an
swered, cautiously:
Yes. think follow you so far, Jim,
but I'm not going into a business like
that blindfolded. l must know all
about it, or else don't deal. Come, is it
a bargain?"
After little demur, he told me the
full particulars, which were briefly
these: He had been offered the sum men
toned by a gentleman to whose great
interest it was the papers (they were
legal documents) should not reach their
destination. If he could contrive to abb
stract them from the messengers care.
The affair literally bristled with diff
culties, and at first sight Jim refused to
have anything to do With L as being be-
hfc - ~ 81 mt
However, lis cupidity was not proof
against such tempting bride, and
after lot OF persuasion he consented to
try and carry out the gentleman's wish.
AsI have said, it was not scheme to
be undertaken lightly, and / foresaw
considerable difficulty. 1t would be
useless to attempt to relieve the mes
senger of his burden at Euston; he
would doubtless be well guarder, and
besides, we were both too well known
in London.
At the other end, the difficulties were
obvious; it was plain, then, that the at
tempt must be made during the journey.
Here. again, difficulty stared us in the
face. We could hardly hope to tackle
two men with success, and Braggs had
somehow learned the fact that the mes
senger was to travel d1ong with the
guard. Apparently they judged that
some attack might be made, and it be-
hooyed us, therefore, to be doubly care
| full.
1T amt no easy go, is it?" murmured
Jim, alphabetically.
| However, / had faint idea of how
the thing might be managed. and grad
ually it shaped itself in my head until
felt sure that, with a bit of luck, we
could pull It of.
Ny plan was this-to pull the train up
at some wayside place, where Jim was
TO be iii waiting with horse and trap
secure the packet from the messenger
while the guard was absent from his
! van ascertaining the cause of the stop
page, and put as many miles as possible
between us and the scene of the affair
afterwards. How this was to be ac-
complished you will hear.
".Jim," l said, you know that little
Mace about 20 miles beyond Tanworth
that we visited year or two back on Q
lhtle expedition of our own? II
recollect Alright, the Northwestern
main line runs very close to the road
for some distance, and at one point
there are a number of large trees close
together"
oyer couldn't ave described it better
ad yer been a guide-book. guv'nor.
know the spot"
Good. Could you be waiting neal
those trees with fight trap 'at-le'
me see-1o:s5 precisely, tomorrow
night?"
Il daresay I could; but wot's yel
game?"
..Never mind yet, Jim. You be there
as i've told you, and when you heal
this"-I gave peculiar whistle-"re
NV in the same way, and ! shant Dt
far off. And let your horse be ready
70 f,v like the wind" added.
IAN right, I'll be there" he replied