The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-12-27

Twas late of night when 1 reached
Wimbledon Common out of the west
where l had been patroling the roads
for some two months or more, and
with mighty little success, as it
CHANGED that year. 1 love the west
country, not only because have, as a
rule, found there fat pockets Jogging
home untimely on nag, or fine noble
men in rich chaises, very proud but
tender to pick, but l have also a senti-
mental leaning towards that part, and
that's the truth will not deny. There
is some that banker after the Great
North road, and boast that there is no
better foreground than twiXt Steven
age and Grantham, while l have even
known 'em to set up FipGhley Common
or Hounslow for choice. Old Irons,
who never had much sel;-respect, and
was not above turning common crib
cracker if it SO served him, was wont
to go no further than Finchley when
he was lacking goldfinch or two.
But the west is after my heart, be-
ing big and populous and swarming
with squires and comfortable warm
folk. l know the North road, and was
once very we'll known there myself,
and celebrated on the Yorkshire
moors, COMPOUNDED cold, uncivil
place. Indeed, there are few parts of
the kingdom L have not traversed in
my time. Well, l was newly out of
the west that May night, but on this
occasion in no very good humor, as
you may imagine, when I say that
had been forced to leave a belt of
guineas behind at Devizes-so close
upon me were the traps. Indeed,
was very nearly taken in the night, all
owing to the treachery Of an innkeep-
er, roast him! Twas fine, mild night
and was for lying in Clerkenwell at
house knew, but had reached no
further than Roehampton lane, when
of sudden l refined in, for 1 remem-
bered an inn there that l had some
times used, and, to say the truth, was
thirsty.
Well" thinks 1, maybe l will lie
here and maybe not. will let fortune
decide" and 1 was turning the mare
into the lane, when something comes
up quick in the thick of the darkness,
and rushes upon Calypso's rump.
The mare started and backed into
the hedge, and l raised my voice and
cursed, as you may guess.
Why" says /, you toad, you muck
rake, you dungfork," and the Lord
knows where 1 should ha' gotten to if
a CLEAN of white in the blackness had
not in that instant disclosed to me the
blunderer. Twas a woman. or, at
least, slip so young and silly that
maybe she should not be so styled;
and had no sooner made that out and
ceased in the middle of my objurga-
tions than l made another discovery.
1t was her voice that did it for no
doubt she was nightly in terror, see-
ing me so wrathful and the night be-
ing SO black and lonely.
''Oh, sir" she calls in trembling
voice, 81 did not see-I-" and here
she broke aweeping.
Well, Dick Ryder is not the man to
stand by while pretty woman weeps
(for could have sworn she was pretty
enough, and so down popped off Ca
lypso and approached her.
Why" said /, Il love not to see a
miss like you in tears, and as for my
words, pray forget them. 1 thought
you was some laundering, hulking
bully that was meant for my bodkin,
or my whip, If no more. But as it is"
say /, there's no more ado. So dry
your eyes, my dear, for 1 am no ogre
to eat pretty children"
"Oh," she says, with a gulp, 81 was
not afraid of you. only feared had
angered you justly. l am thrown out
into the night, sir! have nowhere to
go!"
Now you may imagine how this
touched me, and what 1 felt but she
was innocent as lamb and as foolish,
as you might detect from her voice, to
say nothing of her face, the which 1
saw later. So considered a moment.
That's just my case," said 1. "And
. was going to wake up some fat vii
lain to take me ip and sup me- But"
says I, 'if you will find me the partic-
ular villain, fat or lean, and cock or
cockatrice, that has thrown out
ba-lamb like you, miss, well, tbs he or
she I'll have awake and out, and some
thing more besides, rip me if don't!"
{ had put her down as child from