Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-14
A Tale of 18th Century England, Full
of the Thrills of Adventure and Spirit
OF Romance. Copyright 1915 Little, Brown & CO.
Copyright, 1915, Little, Brown & Co

The biunderbuss fell to the roadway
with q clatter.
'aThievin', rascaiiy viliain--was ~"
Damned ! think / will blow your face
or"
'No--dont do--that," said the Basrnan,
IN strange, jerky voice. what 'ud De-
the Rood7"
why. that there poor animal wouldn't
have 10 drag that fat carikiss Of yours
up and down hills. for one thing
''Ill get out and walk"
And It might learn ye 70 keep civil
tongue in your head"
IL didn't mean-any-offenee"
Then chuck us your purse" growied
the other, land be quick about It," The
Bagman obeyed with wonderful celeritv,
and heard the pure chink as the foot
pad dropped II into the pocket OF his
greatcoat
LAS for you." said he. turning TO me.
you set on your way and never mind
me; forget you ever had ten suineas and
don't so a-riskin your vallyble young
life; come-up with your and he mo-
toned me into the tilbury with his pistol
What about my blunderbuss?'' expos
tulsted the Bagman, family, as seated
myself beside him. you'll give me my
blunderbuss-cost me FIVE pound IL did
More fool youl'' said the hishwayman.
and, picking UP the unwieldy weapon,
he hove it into the ditch.
"As TO our argyment-regardin glib
betin' SIR" said he, nodding to me. I'm
rayther inclined to think you was in the
right on It arter ALL" Then, turning
toward the Bagman: Drive on. fat
facet" said he, "and sharp's the word"
Whereupon the Bagman whipped up his
horse and, as the tired animal struggled
forward over the crest OF the hill, ! saw
the highwayman still watching US.
Very soon we came in view of The
White Hart" an inn I remembered to
have passed on the right-hand side OF the
road, and scarce were we driven up TO
the door than down Jumped the Bagman.
leaving me to follow at my leisure, and
running into the tap. forthwith began re-
counting his loss to all and sundry, so
| that soon found we were become the
centre of a gaping crowd, much TO my
disgust Indeed, 1 w.uld have slipped
away. but each time I attempted to do
so the Bagnan would appeal to me to
corroborate some statement.
"Galloping Dick himself, or I'm a
Dutchman?" he cried for the twentieth
time; "up he comes, bold as brass, bless
Hold hardv says I, and ups with my
blunderbuss?" he inquired, turning to
me.
quite WE'LL" said J.
"Ah, but you should have seen the fol-
( lows face when he saw my blunderbuss
green as grass, for # ever there was
| death in a mans face, and sudden death
at that, there was sudden death in mine,
when. all at once, my mare, my accurseo
mar, iibbed-"
Yes, yes" cried half a dozen breath
less voices, what them"
"Why, then, gentlemen" said the Bag
man, shaking his head and frowning
round upon the ring Of intent faces.
"why then, gentlemen, being a resolute,
determined fellow. did what any other
man of spirit would have done-I---'
Dropped your blunderbuss," said I.
GAY, to be sure I did"
And he pitched 1t into the ditch
said l.
"Ay," NODDED the Bagman obviously,
while the others crowded nearer.
And then he took your money, and
I called you Fool and Fat-faee.' and st
it ended" said I. With which I pushe'
t my way from the circle, and, finding
quiet corner beside the chimney, sa
t down, and with my last twopenct paid 20
= q tankard OF ale.