Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-11-06
JERRY THE FOOL

Redmond O'Hanlon, the highway
man, was especially fond OF levying
on landlords who were hard on their
tenants. There was one of this class
whom Redmond never lost an opportu-
nifty of taxing. Every quarter day this
| gentleman or one of his servants
sometimes more than one-used TO take
q journey of six or seven miles To col
lect his rents, aud as regular as clock
work there was Redmond O'IIanlon.
with some stout companion, il neces-
sary, to waylay the collector as he re-
turned home. SO one quarter day, when
the gentleman's servants asked him
about going for the rents, he swore at
| O'Hanlon and said he didn't see the
use of collecting money to hand 1t over
| to him.
| Now, this gentleman had on his es-
| tate boy called Jerry the Fool" who
had the run of the house and made fun
| for the family. He had a great conceit
for himself, and when he heard what
the master said he Immediately asked
| to be allowed TO 20 after the rents for
once and declared he would know the
way To bring them home. OF course he
was only laughed at but when he rep
| resented 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 preparations as
| he thought suitable, chose the worst
horse in the stable, an old hack half
blind and three-quartcrs lame, and
| started on his enterprise. Nothing oc-
Cured on the way. He collected a con
siderable amount of money, carefully
| disposed Of it about his person and
started homeward.
/ Toward evening, as he was quietly
| jogging along on the old hack and was
| just entering long lane with high
hedges on each side, tall, fine looking
man rode up to him on a handsome
roam mare.
God save you. my man. says the
gentleman.
"God save your honor" replies Jerry.
whats your name, my man." asks
the gentleman.
Jerry the Fool, and | amt ashamed
OF it. What's yours?"
The gentleman took no notice of the
question. After awhile he says, THAT
is fine animal you're riding. Jerry"
Faith, I'm glad your honor likes
It," said Jerry. But 1t isn't myself
that'd care TO take a lease of his life.
But he'd serve my turn anyway, for
it's not in hurry I'm travelling. I've
only been to the village beyond TO col
lect the masters rents for him."
surely he's not such fool as to
trust you with that job?"
"Arrah, why not?" asks Jerry in
great surprise.
"Why, don't you know that Red
mond O'IIanlon's on this roadY"
Redmond O'lIanlon, is it?' says .Ier-
ry. ugh! That for Redmond O'Han-
lonr says he. swapping his finger.
"Faix, Jerry the Fool is a match for
half dozen of the likes of him any
day in the week and Sunday into the
bargain
| The stranger laughed and then rode
on in silence till they came to very
lonely part of the road, when he drew
brace Of pistols and told Jerry to
hand over all the money he had about
him or he'd try if he had any brains
by sending a couple of bullets through
his head.
"Meala murther!' roars Jerry in sur
prise and fright You don't mean to
say your honor's Redmond O'HanlonY p
II do indeed. So hand over, my
man, and look sharp about it,"
"But, fax, it's kilt entirely 10y the
master I'll be when get home without
the rent"
whats that to meY' said O'IIanlon.
Anyhow" said Jerry, Il must show
them that | made a numbering fight
for it, Perhaps your honor wouldn't
mind firing a 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" This was done. "Now just one
in the skirt OF it. and good luck to
your honor"
but I've discharged both my pis-
tolls and don't want the trouble of load
ing them again for you"
"Faix, | should dearly like shot
through the skirts. II would show
fought desperate. Are you sure your
honor hasn't another pistol in your
pocket that you wouldn't mind firing
for poor boys sake?"
"Confound youl To be sure haven't.
Hand over the money or I'll beat you
TO jelly with my horsewhip."
WELL" said Jerry after good deal
of fumbling. II suppose. considering
tue trouble I've had in collecting these
rants. your honor won't mind the little
bother OF going over the hedge after
them"
And he threw over a sack, apparent
ly well filled with coin. Half laugh
Ing, half angry, the highwayman, first
aiming at Jerry with his whip, which