The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-03-14

II was after the affair of the kings
treasure that there was maybe the
hottest hue and cry raised on me
which has over fallen to my lot in the
course of many adventurous years.
The pursuit opened in a little tavern
In Southwark, where | was foolish
enough to spend night had took
too much OF llGuor, aad suppose that
j had spoke too much also At least.
three of the mcrning comes me up the
landlord decent fellow, with the
news the trars tpoice) we're on me.
] hardly rubbed my eyes for the fumes
were all gone now, hut skipped into
my clothes and, giving him good.day,
was out afoot In a twlrkl!ng by back
window. and made fer Clapham.
Here, ms chance had 1t. encountered
stout man on his horse coming up
for the fair. and. laying him In the
mud, mornted and rode as hard as
TIE nag would carry me towards the
south.
! passed through Kingston in the
thick of the darkness and made for the
wilds beyond, only pulling in when
had reached the village of Ripley in
the Gavin. Twas bitter cold of n raw
January day, and the sun was in
gray weltor of clouds that betokoned
snow. So drank hot draught of ale
and brandy and, giving my nag bit,
was on the road again, for knew not
how near the enemy might be, and
+ he'd vowed to put ten leagues behind
me ere lay anywhere The way was
vile in that weather, but pushed on
through Guidford and at last came to
Liphook, whore ! sheltered for tho
night Now what was my predica.
ment on the morrow but to find the
nag lame and myself in chains to the
spot! But | had covered long dis.
tance, and so says to myself, ] will
rest and give odds to fortune. So
,tanied there, pretty comfortable
But in the afternoon there comes
along stage from town, In the which.
having spied the ground very careful
ly, decided to journey: for ! had by
now made up my mind to reach Ports
Southampton and the west until such
time as the chase was over. So in
goes |. much against my habit, along
with a company that seemed at first
little to my taste. There was re.
spectacle old gentleman that was full
CT questions; and madam, his wife,
that was fat and slumbrous; and to
them was daughter, pretty enough,
but with eyes that marched and coun
termarched, and usually upon a young
man that was dressed like a court pop
Inlay. This fellow, as discovered
was her lover, Harringay by name,
and pretty cupid he was, The last
in the coach was a staid,faced, sober.
clad man. all in dark kerseymere,
that had como in with me at Liphook,
and read book while twas light and
between jolts. This was dull com
pany as you may guess, for Dick Ry-
der TO find himself In, all save the girl,
whose eyes went on a campaign with
mine.
Twas in the act that the old gentle.
man broke the si.enco by addressing
me. Snow had fallen in tho night, and
twas now darkenlng for moro. Out
on tho Sussex waste tumbled the stage
and OF sudden took the wind It
heeled her over, and the horses stayed
and swayed.
Heaven save us We are over.
turned" cried the old fellow. looking
at me.
Not we,' said l. why. 'twould
take all the breath of two heavens to
capslze this old village"
"You think It's safe?" says he anx-
iously
"As safe as snail" said |, "and
about as speedy. Confound all such
conveyances!" said |, Give me
horse atwixt my legs and ask no
more"
"You are soldier sir?' said he.
"You may call me that says la
soldier OF fortune
"l knew It, says miss, beaming;
and at that the wind took us again.
apd the stage iolted on her creaking.