The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-05-17
l.
! TIE TRICKED RASCALS.


chaise travellers never journeyed with
out pistols in their pockets. and tremor
at their hearts; when, strange feats in
the shape of starlight rcbberies were
boosted of and a knight Of the Road"
aspired to be called gentleman, the
following incident occurred:
One afternoon in carly autumn, close
upon sunset, a couple OF wel,-dressed
men, driving light gig in which was
poor, jaded-looking horse, stopped at
a wayside posting inn, not a hundred
miles from Bath, ard requested accom-
mediation for the night. They were
fashionably attired, and spoke in con-
descending tones to the landlord and
servants, using few words TOW and
again Of town slang, as young bucks of
the first water were proud to do in
that day.
Giving the horse and gig over to the
care of the ostler, they adjourned to the
public room and called for some light
-efreshments in the shape of drink, or
dering supper TO be served later.
WHATS this story about a great high
way robbery near here last night. lard
lord?" questioned one. 1--WE heard of IT
On the road coming along. Is it true?
Quite true, sir. All. gentlemen, it is
dreadful thir>-. though clever, must
say My Lady ,Cantifere, with her two
daughters, was driving home across the
heath an hour or two after midnight,
having been to ball, when their car
rage was stopped by four mounted
horsemen with cooked pistols. The Old
lady screamed and tainted; the Young
ores screamed and kicked. ard the gen
t,emen, those audacious robbers, pro-
cecded politely to rife the ladies of
every ornament they wore"
''ScoundreIsl" interjected one Of the
guests.
More than that, your worships.
What should those bold blades do but
invite the damseIs TO tread a measure
with them? 1t was a fine night, as you
may perhaps remember, sirs; the moon
beams shining bright on the bare heath.
Out Of the coach they handed them and
footed it in minuet. dancing. il is said.
TO perfection, as though they were used
TO lead out the kings own daughters
every night CT their lives. The young
ladies' screams ended in laughter; the
baroness woke up from her faint and
abused them all. robbers and daughters
together. Oh, they are bold, these gen
tlemen of the highway"
And the upshot?"
The young ladies were bowed into
their coach again, al with stately cere-
mony, and the robbers, after wishing
them a very courteous goodnight, rode
off at a canter, with every jewel they
had possessed. small or large. costly or
simple. and my lady's purse into the
bargain. They may weH boast that
they lead merry iveS-those men, Fine
connection the news has caused round
about Us to-day, as you may imagine.
gentlemen. Everybody's talking of it."
The landlord. being called for else
where, retired; the travellers -sipped at
their glasses. laughing away and con-
versing with one another in an under
tone. Dusk came on and the elder aud
taller of the two addressed his friend in
4 different tone.
isn't it, Jim? It's dark enough"
Il was just going to-" answered Jim.
and, draining his glass, he went away
to the stable-yard.
Looking about him with the air of
connoisseur, after watching his horse
eat up its oats, he made himself ac-
quainted with the arrangements of the
- ~ I
in them. In the box next to his own
stood a splendid animal, evidently val
liable.
"A better steed nor yourn. sir" cried
the ostler from behind him in q quiet
voice, and the gentleman gave a start,
not thinking anybody was rear.
Aye; mine has seen good service.
and he has been worked hard lately"
answered the stranger. gocd-humored-
". "a very fine animal. this. as you OBJ
serve. AID yet" stepping back to look
critically at it. "were my horse in good
condition it might not be much inferior
to this. They are not altogether un-
like-about the same height and much
the same in color-brown."
With the last words the stranger
went back TO the house whistling. The
ostler peered after him through the
dusk while he made his comments
you have got a cheek, master. who
ever you may be. and an impudent
cheek it IS. going and comparing of the
two bosses like that-this 5O-guinea,
beautiful animal and that there
wretched old hack O. theiru, What
next? wonder who they be when they
be ct kome?" And with that he locked
the stable door
"WeI?" cried the elder traveller.
when the other one returned. ANY
chance2"
"Never had better chance in all our
Ives" was the answer. "In the next
box to ours stands one OF the grandest
animals you ever saw-same color,
same size. or about it; wortha little for
tune. And a set of silver-mounted har-
ness hanging up by him"
''S;.ver-mounted?"
Think so. Looks like it. We have
got rich chance. l tell you, Wade"
Sumner yvaS announced in due lin .