The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-06-22
4 NARROW ESCAPE.
By Emerson Bennett.
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In the dusk of evening, two dusty,
weary-looking foot travellers entered
the little town of Doneraile, in Ire
land.
One was quite young man, OF me-
dunn size, with fresh complexion,
q quick, sharp eye, which seemed ever
on the alert for danger.
The other was tall, had command
ing figure, and had he been dressed
like a gentleman, might easily have
passed for one.
His clothes, however, as well as
those of his companion, were patched,
and soiled, and such as were worn by
mendicants, or laborers of the poorer
class.
Beside this, the younger man had
his face tied up, as if suffering from
a toothache, and the elder wore a
green patch over one eye.
Both kept a sharp lookout all
around them, though they moved with
firm steps and careless swagger, as
If they had nothing to fear.
Satan take me if | like travelling
on foot!" said the elder, in a COM
planning way.
"And Satan will take you, which
ever way you travel laughed the
younger.
"And if he do, the consolation will
be mine of having you for a compan-
fon," was the retort.
"Yes," returned the younger, with
an affected sigh, mo doubt the devil
will get us both in the end; but so
the hangman doesn't get us first is
the most l care for now. It's a pity
we had to leave Cork on foot, but
there was no help for it. My horse
had been ridden to death and when
you sent for yours the stablekeeper
wanted to see the owner. Which
owner? Ha! ha! ha. You were too
modest to even assume to be that
wealthy individual, you know; and so
here we are, not in the garb of lords.
nor even high commissioners, but
rather as mendicants."
"And lucky we were to procure
these clothes. and bury our others!"
said the elder.
"Well, where are we going to stop?"
"At the nearest inn we can find
suppose"
"Ill lay you bottle of wine, then,
that mine host will not accept us for
dodgers till we show him the color
Of our money"
Done! And hope you'll win"
"Why?"
Because then we may not be taken
for those two scapegoats who keep all
the sheriffs and constables so busy
looking out for them"
II suppose our fame has preceded
us even here?"
"Undoubtedly."
"Such are the troubles of distinc-
tion. Though | have longed for it in
my time, / see now that it has its
disagreeable side, especially when
one wishes to pass unnoticed."
They made their way to a small,
miserable inn; and, on asking If they
could get something to eat. and lodg-
ing there for the night, the innkeeper
eyed them suspiciously,. and in turn
inquired if they had money enough to
pay for what they wanted.
The younger glanced at the elder;
and the elder with just a slight
twinkle in his eye, grimly answered;
'Were not overburdened with
money, cause we's two laboring chaps
what's looking for work; but | guess
as how we can scrape enough to pay
you, if you don't charge too much"
well, I'd like to see the value of
half crown to begin with" said the
cautious innkeeper.
"I told We so," said the younger of
the travellers, in lugubrious tone, as
he turned to the elder, with long,
solemn face. II told We he'd want to
see the color of our money. Some
people think innkeepers are FOOLS
jle continued, with a sly grin, which
The landlord did not perceive; "but
I don't They all know something.
I've never knowed one yit what was
q out-and-out idiot"
IF tell ye I've got money to pay
for all we order, that'll do, won't it?'
inquired the elder, addressing the
landlord direct.
'Divil a bit will it do with Mike
Callahan now!" answered the host.
"Well, then, hold your CAB while
make a rummage." returned the son
for traveler,'as he began feeling IN his
different pockets.
At last he fished up three shillings,
which caused the landlords eyes to