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

than dead maggot. 'Slife! here's .
jolly boy. Dick, that Is handy with
his barker, III VOW"
But I stopped him ere he went too
far, and he and I prepared the ar
rangements. We left miss behind in
Sally's charge with strict instructions,
and twas nigh three before we reach
ed the house. There l set the popin-
jay outside the window to shiver, pot
valiant, until so be the time should
come, while Irons and I went to the
back Of the house and made scrutiny
Of the yard. There was little trouble
in the job. as it CHANGED, for Irons Is
skilled in the business, which should
scorn to holding for a scurvy, mean
! livered craft, unworthy of a gentle
man but l was committed to do 1t
for this occasion only, and so was
resolved to go through with 1t. Irons
fetched out his tools and got to work;
and in a short time we were through
the window of the kitchen, and Irons
with his glim was creeping up the
stairs. But he stopped halfway and
whispered back to meas If he had
only then recalled something.
What ken's this?" he asked, using
his scant word.
why, an honest merchants house."
said I, land he trafics in calicos."
Look We, Dick Ryder" says he sit
ting down on the stairs, 81 may be a
dullard, but rip me If I know how you
stand in this!"
Why" says I, you need only know
where you stand, Irons. and that's pref
ty sure. You know me-"
He stared at me a moment, and
then said he, well, I'll empty old
Nunkey of his spanks, and we'll settle
afterwards" and he resumed his jour.
ney.
Now, what had arranged with the
apprentice was that 1 should knock
upon the window when the time was
come, at which he would spring in
with the cries of alarm and fury, fall.
ing upon the rascals that had dared
break into the merchants house. At
which Irons and I were to make OF,
and the old gentleman, rising in ter.
ror from his bed, should discover us
in fight, and his deliverer, George,
full armed. in possession. Yet it did
not fall out quite in this way, owing,
as I believe, to Old Irons muddled
head and his stopping on the stairs.
At any rate, we were no sooner
come to the hall, after Irons had WIS.,
tied two rooms, than we were sur.
prised by the figure Of the old gentle
man moving down the staircase in his
night-dress and large blunderbuss in
his hand.
Stand" says he, seeing Irons In
the faint light. Stand, rogue, or l
fret"
Old Irons uttered a curse, and, edg-
ing into the shadows put up au arm
to slip the catches of the window.
But his knuckles fell on it with a rap
as he drew the catch, and immediate
ly after there was loud, shrill cry,
the window fell open, and there was
our peacock in the midst, calling in
his falsetto:
Surrender, or l will blow q hole in
you! Surrender by -!
I could have broken out laughing at
the sight, only the situation promised
to grow risky For Old Irons taken
aback at this, and never very particu-
lar when on his lay, jumped up sharp
| ly and smashed at the t'other with
pistol-butt; while, to make confusion
worse, the old man IN the nightcap let
of his blunderbuss. Such screech-
ing arose as would have astonished
a churchyard of ghosts, for the truth
was, old Nunky hit George somewhere
in his hinderparts, and simultaneously
down came Irons blows on his head.
That set his fingers to work on the
trigger of the pistol had given him,
and ere I was aware, something had
took me in the big toe and set me
cursing.
"Here!" says I, grabbing Old Irons
in the darkness, for he was ready to
destroy both in his wildness, this
is no place for a tender-hearted
chicken like you or me. We're no
match for savage fire-eaters like
these. We'd best CO." and l dragged
him through the window and we made
off together. When we reached the
| inn, called out the girl.
What has happened" she cried
eagerly.
WELL" said I, 81 think you had best
walk home sharp. I'll wager Nunkey
will be calling for you presently to
reward a gallant youth that has risk
ed his life for to save him."
Her eyes glistened, and, Lord! I
believe the poor fool thought her
George had been brave. She clasp
ed her hands. "Oh, must thank you,
sir!" she cried.
NAY, never thank me-" said I, "for,
il mistake not, Old Irons has taken
thanks for us both. and would have
had more II it had not been for young
Jack-a-dandy."
"Split him!" cries Old Irons.
would l had hit him harder"
Hit" she cries, and clutches at
me.