The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-06-13

But | stopped him ere he went too
far, and he and prepared the ar.
rangements. We left miss behind Ia
Sally's charge with strict instructions,
and twas nigh three before we reach.
ed the house. There ! set the popin.
Jay outside the window to shiver, pot.
valiant. until so be the time should
come, while Irons and ! went to the
back OF the house and made scrutiny
Of the yard. There was little trouble
in the job, as II chanced. for Irons is
skilled in the business, which ! should
scorn TO holding for a scurvy, mean.
livered craft. unworthy Of a gentle.
man but ! was committed to do II
for this occasion only, and so was
resolved to go through with II. Irons
fetched out his tools and got to work;
and in 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 II he had
only then recalled something.
What kens this?' he asked. using
his scant word.
why. an honest merchants house"
said !. "and he trafflcs in calicos"
Look ye, Dick Ryder" says he sit.
ting down on the stairs. 81 may be a
dullard. but rip me If know how you
stand in this"
Why" says 7. you need only know
where you stand. Irons. and that's pret.
Nv sure You know mo"
lie stared at me moment and
then said he, We'll. I'll empty old
Nunkey Of bis spanks, and well settle
afterwards" and he resumed his jour.
ney.
Now. what had arranged with the
apprentice was that | should knock
upon the window when the time was
come. az 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 ] we're to make of.
and the old gentleman, rising in ter
ror from his bed. should discover us
in flight, and his deliverer. George,
full armed, in possession. Yet it did
not fall out quite in this way, owing,
as | believe. to Old Irons mutdled
head and his stopping on the stairs.
At any rate, we we're no sooner
come to the hall. after Irons had Wis.
tied two rooms, than wo were sur.
prised by the figure of the old gentle.
man moving down the staircase in his
night.dress and a large blunderbuss in
his hand.
stand" says he, seeing Irons in
the faint light Stand, rogue, or I
fire."
Old Irons uttered a curse, and, edg-
ing into the shadows put mp an arm
to slip the catches of the window
But his knuckles fell on It with 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 ! will blow hole in
| you! Surrender by -,
| 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.
| iy and smashed at the t'other with
pistol-butt; while, TO make confusion
worse. the old man in the nightcap let
| off his blunderhUss. Such a screeCh.
! ing arose as would have astonished
n churchyard of ghosts, for the truth
vas, old Nunky hit George somewhere
| In his hinderparts, and simultaneously
| down came Irons blows OH his head
! That set his fingers To work on the
trigger of the pistol ! had given him
and ere | was aware, something lad
took me In the big toe and set me
cursing
Here" says |. grabbing Old Irons
| in the darkness, for he was ready to
destroy both in his wlldnoss, this
| chicken like you or me. We're no
match for savage ire.caters like
/ these. We'd best co." and dragged
him through the window and we made
off together. when we reached the
inn, ! called ont the girl.
What has happcned?" she cried
| eagerly.
Well" said |, Il think you had best
walk home sharp. III wager Nunkcy
will he calling for you presently to
reward n gallant youth that has risk
ed his life for to save him"
Her eyes glistened, and, Lord!
believe the poor fool thought her
George had been brave. She clasp
ed her hands, "oh, must thank you
slr!" she cried.
| NAY, never thank me" said |, FOR
If | mistake not, Old Irons has taken
thanks for us both, and would have
had more II It had not been for young
Jack ck-a-dandy"
Split him" cries Old Irons. |
would had hit him harder"
4lIit!" she cries and clutches at
me.
NAY, never fear" said. Twas
not Irons, but Nunkey's blunderbuss
Faith, he took both wounds like a
amb | would had his courage, and
was to be comforted like him. But
ne is in no danger
"Oh, sir" says she, gratefully, and
f she were fool she was pretty