The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-05

tall cap. The tinker scuttled back, sideways like . crab, into the deepest shadow. valley belated thrush hurrying through it's Birs gaze roved idly down the hill-slope from ridge of gray rocks another the dull red roof of itself through the tops of the clustering trees and to turn frowning and sulen face toward him. little startled M the s os rD pe as sunset was not pleasant neishbor "oh' ho ye murdhern' .ould bagsuard, ye! it's glad am that you're over there and I'm over here. I ntver heard I wonder if rayme9Sss @ the saune that wa1 med up heard it, since I was . bit of a gossoon."
 Scratching his head with the stem of his T pipe: One stormy night. as Paddy Carol drove past the for any kind of supernatural sign, he was startled out of his wits by three asonised shries for help Paddy whipped up his pony which galloped franti cally it's way.
 after all, it mightnt have been human voice he'd heard, Paddy gathered up crowd of the neighbors for what did they find in the upper room of the but peddler lying flat on the floor. his pack ran they were the fows ss cries that had startled Paddy Three days later the assassins of the be aoder who hsd w at the public house during the day, and who afterward, for the purpose of robbery, followed him to this refuge in the deserted mill.
 All these things drifted slowly through Bills mud dled mind as he sat there nursing the jug Presently thick quavering voice the lugubrious ballad which recounted the capture of the two soldiers their con fession and the rather narrowing details of their public execution. After puzzling moment as to who the singer might be, Bill much relieved to discover,that twas only he himself that was making the noise.
 And to think, Misthress Flannigan, ma'am," he his lips, "the sojers kilt him for nothin'; the leather pouch of money that they saw with the ped dler at the public house they couldn't find on him.
 
 find it; though Long Pether Mccarthy says that if and face the peddler's ghost he'd find the money"
 T have the courage, but-well, why don't Petner of tipsy resentment For the mattRer of that. what %as I'd Us' Re to 's snoW9 as' He can't spnd purs maneness that makes him kape it. raypate it" sad sne a s stinginess an'Lan' maneness"
 An now" he added after pause Mrs Elan far Mrs Bradys the night, acushla, but we'll w Gp oa s N s Sa Mys 1 go So saying, Bill struggled to his feet He b,aced o in M m empty jug under his arm. Then, slahting his hat rakishly to one side the fated man zigzagged his If the unfortunate tinker had turned to the left as was his intention he might have landed safe enough at Mrs. McKnney's; but with the liquor, growing stronger him every minute and the dark rising deeper and deeper at every step, what
 
 right and go staggering down rocky path till he reached the dark and lonely road that led straight Notwithstanding the tinker's brave toast, there was not money enough in the bank of Ireland to to walk down that path after dark. And yet, pres ently there he stood within five feet of the broken heels and from his heels back to his toes again. and roaring at the top of his voice for to come self but under the caves of Joey Hooiigans forge9
 "Ho. there, Joey" he cried, "are ye within dunno!" There was no answer, and Bills voice echoed back strange and uncanny in the stiffness, while the old mill dark dangerous and secret crouched lower whats the matther with yez al?" he bawled / "Oh. know yere within ye needn't be purtendn' we're out You hear me well enough!" Bill lurched toward the door with outstretched arms. Well. whether ye like it not I'm coming in an-nyhow!" knee upon the a' broken si At At that instant bat swooped hercely from the black void within. and
 the sse sesa ls@ ss sy yer ss unmannerly bagguards, ye! What! Spake. can't scrambled to his feet on the dusty floor and stumbled Something like the cackle of low malicious laugh from the heart of the srnothering dark ness over near the great millstone
 steps farther Well, bad luck to ye, Joey Hooigan, can't ye sthrike light? Whats thatf, At taste have the dacency to give man hand. What?" grimly answered touch fell upon his groping arm and hand cold as clay and dripping with
 
 After the first thrill of angry surprise for he still suspected that Joey Hooligan playing tricks him. leaned forward, straning with blinking eyes to catch sight of his captor. In vain. Neither in front either side visible any tangible shape.
 Lave go!" he clustered uneasiIy Take yer hands of me- or, be me faith, I'll give ye belt thatIl make surgeont's work of vel"
 And thing happened which, drunk as he was, should have sobered the tinker: as he spoke, Bill that held him prisoner, and To! there was nothing there The viselike hand that grasped his wrist without He then pried desperately at the cold, stiff fingers but they only closed the tighter for his struggles.
 Lave go!" he repeated, Cor, be the powers"
 As though in answer to the unfinished threat, the wet hand drew him, questioning and angrily protest ing the while, to the swaying oaken stairs and with grip of steel it guided him step by step up to the low-roofed above In the darkest corner of the silent loft the hand suddenly Bills wrist and the unfortunate tinker helpless blind man.
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