Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-07-01

| and sang out Tor q DeefSteak, rare, anu
a gallon Of ale, and that right speedily.
he added. The waiter made all haste
to serve him, for such Is the effect OF
| life Of kindness and doing good to 9TH
ers that Dick was always promptly
| obeyed, whoever else had to suffer de-
lay, and when his mild and gentle eye
casually surveyed the priming on his
pistols even landlords themselves had
been known to jump in their eagerness
| to be of use to him.
Just as Dick had finished his frugal
meal Aristophenus Kettle himself tip
toed into the restaurant and whispered:
"Dick. my boy, the boobies are de-
ploying round the Strand entrance"
Richard. always man Of quick de-
cision, arose at once, bowed to the COM
pany and remarked with that suavity
which was characteristic of him:
Gentlemen. beg to excuse me. l
have an engagement elsewhere"
Mr.. Turpin then slipped out by the
back exit, where a hostler, true and
trusty. awaited him. holding the high
wayman's favorite mount, White
Wings. The night was pitch dark. but
the lamp of the machine threw forward
an ever enlarging cone Of light, like one
of those advertising devices then SO
popular in London.
"Is there plenty Of oil in the lampT
"Yezzer."
.The repair kit and all the tools are
in the toolbag?'
"Yezzer."
"The machine is well oiled and the
tires pumped tight"
"Yezzer."
"Well. hope, for your sake, that
everything is right, for If it is not !
shall puncture you with my pistol and
deflate you Of life."
"Yezzer."
Richard flung the man a sovereign.
because, being loyal man, he never
dealt in any coin under the rank that
designated the ruler of the realm. He
mounted the wheel, which was geared
to 162, and swiftly disappeared into the
night. At the first street corner po-
liceman was waiting for him.
Turn 1t up" shouted the officer, Ell.
deavoring to perform for the intrepid
cyclist the action so tersely expressed
by the slang phrase he had just given
utterance to, but Dick, who had been
there before, deftly avoided him and
replied: t d. 80 ro,o.r,n. 70 tho LIGHT l
have pleasure in informing you that II
already complies with all the regula-
tions."
The word had gone forth that at all
hazards Dick Turpin was to be arrest
ed that night, so the policeman. bailled
in attempting to stop him, shrilly blew
his whistle, which had the immediate
effect of causing all the hansom cabs
within hearing to concentrate rapidly
on the spot. and by the time the har-
assed officer had disentangled the raf-
fc Dick was well on his way to the
Great North road.
But the shrill whistle had effect on
others than the cabbies. 1t was the
signal to the metropolitan brigade OF
mounted police lcycle corps. and
twelve of the record breakers were
bending over handle bars in hot pursuit
of the fugitive. This superb body of
men were astride the celebrated klon-
dixie bikes C'worth their weight in
gold;" see ADVERTISEMENT, and the bet
ting was about even. although those in
the know freely offered two to one on
Dick.
The police rode Clincher tires. Of
course. for clinching was their busi-
ness. while Dick preferred Palmer
for he had ever made his living by
the dropping of gold into his palm.
although he preferred single tube pis-
tol when taking up collection.
81 shall break the record or my
neck" muttered Dick as he sped
through the darkness. AS he glanced
over his shoulder at the foot of hill
he saw a dozen twinkling lights COM
ing over the brow behind him like q
constellation. II hope every one meet
will have a bright lamp and keep to his
own side Of the road" and for the first
time in his bold life tremor of fear
thrilled the stalwart frame OF the high
wayman, who well knew the predilec.
ton of the touring cyclist for racing
down a part of the thoroughfare that
should be kept sacred for those going
In a contrary direction.
Over the top of the next bill only
eleven lights glimmered. falling stead
fly to the rear; then but ten were visi
BILE. then nine, then eight
81 knew those cops couldn't stand
that pace" muttered Turpin. ut re
minds one Of the rhyme Of the nine lit
tie, eight little. seven little lnjuns' "
And be began to trill merrily the re
frain. experiencing that exalted e3hlla-
ration which q true cycllst feels when
be is astride perfect silent wheel
spinning through the pure air of
peaceful country. Since midnight only
one light followed him. but that hung
on with great persistence. Dick FOR
moment thought Of putting cut his own
lamp. waiting for his lone pursuer and
pistoling him as he went by. but he re-
fectcd that. after all. this was a mean
trick to play on brother cyclist. for
Dick was not without that feeling OF
fraternity which all genuine wheelmen
possess. So. Wishing to do as he would
be done by. the merciful man dis
mounted. shipped asunder strand OF
barbed wire that lined one side OF the
road. pulled out staples until a sufh
cient length of the wire was set free,
drew it taught across the thoroughfare
End tied the loose end Of the wire to
stake OH the opposite side Of the high
way.
Remounting, he journeyed on toward
the north, animated with that comfort
| ing sense of satisfaction which comes
to one who, at some trouble to himself.
has placed innocent diversion in the
monotonous pathway Of fellow trav-
eler. We should not live for ourselves
| alone.
Just as a neighboring steeple struck
fvI, nj hoo L. rd