Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-12-06
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N.'o E.W. HORNUNG,~
s Author of 5
s. R9 MO- - the Amateur Cracks :
+ " 90 A& ~ ~ "Stingaree." !.
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! March. ...: :::: g: !: s.. &C.. !


This was little elderly man with
gray tufts upon his bloodless cheeks
and horn spectacles pushed halfway up
a singularly benevolent brow. He sat
tailorwise, like the rest, but played his
cards in q way of his own. He had
only one hand for the job. His right
arm terminated in q polished hook
with a cork at the end of it, but there
knelt at his side gigantic aboriginal,
who threw down each card as the
player touched it with the cork. Such
was the party. At the first glance Tom
had looked anxiously for the blood
thirsty Italian brigand, but he soon for
got his existence In the presence of this
innocent group, who were not evea
playing for money.
Tom heard their horses champing
hard by beyond the freight, set them
down as a party Of drovers and STEP
ped fearlessly among them the instant
the rubber came to an end. The wall
eyed one Immediately drew a pistol,
while Slipper leaped to his long legs
with q knife. But the man with the
spectacles ordered them both to put
away their weapons and sit quiet, and
they both obeyed.
81 saw him some time ago." said he,
lowering his glasses (as he had done
once before while Tom was looking
on), "and l am very much obliged to
him. He didn't interrupt our rub, as
more thoughtless person most GER
tainiy would have done. He is well
bred young man, and like the looks OF
him. Do you hear, sir? l like the looks
OF you, but what on earth's the matter
with your mouth?'
Tom hung his head and told his
story. At its conclusion the little gray
man insisted on shaking left hands
with him.
You're the kind Of young fellow 1
like to meet" said he. "a runaway
convict, of course"
The question was terribly abrupt, but
Tom told the truth.
"There, there, never mindw cried the
little gray man. You're not SO singu-
lar in that respect as your sensitive
Imagination would appear to suggest.
In fact, you are not the only one in the
present circle, so you see that you may
hold up your head again and even trust
as with further particulars. May / ask
from whose service you have fed"
Tom hesitated If they should carry
him back!
"You would rather not sayp' exclaim-
ed the little man. VERY natural, very
natural; but what IL / can guess
What If said his name began with
s, and considered that of his home.
stead hardly justified by the facts,
save insomuch as every mans dwelling
is his Castles"
Toms face convicted him. 1t was
TRANSPORTED with amaZement. The
travellers exchanged significant glances
and proceeded to regard him with az
interest obviously redoubled.
"How did you known he cried.
II knew nothing. only guessed"
"But howY'
more convicts abscond from that
particular establishment than from any
other in the colony. Then l perceive
that you are suffering from fifty
lashes"-
"a hundredW
Indeed? And more convicts are
logged on that farm than on any 9TH
er in the land A nice place! / know
something about It'll intend knowing
more"
Slipper laughed.
"But you mustn't let hundred LASH
es depress you" resumed the little
gray man in his smooth and soothing