The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-02-07
THE BLACK HOLE OF GLEN.
RANALD.

heard the name or StinRaree.
With the cautious enterprise of
his race, the young gentleman had
booked Storage on river steamer
whose solitary passenger he proved to
be. Accordingly he was not only per
mitted to sleep on the saloon settee at
nights. but graciousy hidden to the
captains board by day.
On his arrival at Glenranald, how.
ever, he found that substantial town
ship shaking with laughter over the
outlaws latest and least discredtable
exploit, at the back block hamlet of
YallarOok, and then It was that young
Carrick first conceived an ambition to
open his colonial career with the cap
ture of stingaree.
The idea had birth under one Of the
many pine trees which shaded the skel-
eton streets of budding Glenranald.
On this tree was nailed d placard Of
fering high reward for the bushran-
gers person alive or dead. Fergus
was making an immediate note In his
pocketbook when n hand fell on hts
shoulder.
would we like the half o yonr' In
quired voice in his own tongue, and
there at his elbow stood an elderly
gentleman. whose patriarchal beard
hid half the buttons Of his alpaca coat,
while a black skull cap sat somewhat
Jauntily on his head.
The raw youth stared ENORMOUSLY.
But what can you know about me?"
he asked.
II saw We land at the wharf" said
the old gentleman, noddlng his ap-
proval Of the question. "and says
That's my man as soon as ever ! clap
ped eyes on ye."
Are you a squatter, STRIP the young
man asked, little overwhelmed.
"No, sir, I'm branch manager O. the
Bank o. New South Wales, the only
bank within n hunder miles o where
we stand. and | can offer we a better
billet than any squatter I'm the col.
Ony."
Indeed? I'm sure you're very kind,
sir, but I'm wanting TO get on a sta
ton" protested Fergus with all his
tact.
"Quite right, quite right I like a
man who can keep his tongue In fits
kennel" cried the bank manager, rub
| bling his hands. But wait while !
tell ye. Ye'd need to work for your
rations on any station l ever heard
tell Of, and keep the accounts OF
enough to know. Now, with me yed
get f2 a week till your share O. the
1 orsd ttrfpnI ~ haI
NO luck for n year you'd be no worse
Off, but could go and try your squat
| tiers then. That's a promise, and III
keep 1t as sure as my names Andr'
Macbean"
But how do you propose to catch
this fellow?"
The bank manager looked on all
sides, likewise behind the tree, before
replying under his breath: by setting
a wee trap for himl A banks a bank,
and Stingaree hasn't stuck one up since
he took to his trade. But I'll tell We
no more till ye give ME your answer.
Yes or nor
I'm afraid | don't even write an
office hand, and as for agurcs"-
did say was going to take ye
into the bank, num-" cried-he. There's
three of us already to do the writin'
an the cipherin', an three's enough.
Can you rider"
81 have ridden"
And yen do any rough job ! set We
TOP
The rOugher the better"
tVrhaVsa aII \
and a pair for we to mind, and mebbe
drive. though it's horseback errands
you'll do most Of"
With characteristic prudence the
youth had left his baggage on board
the river steamer. and his own hands
carried 1t piecemeal to the bank. This
was n red brick bungalow with an am
pie yeranda, standing back from the
future street that was as yet little bet
ter than a country road. The veranda
commanded long perspective Of pines,
but no further bricks and mortar and
but very few weather board walls.
The yard behind the house was shut
in by as many outbuidings as clus-
tered about the small hOmesteads
which Fergus had already beheld on
the banks OF the MuFrumbidgee. The
man In charge Of the yard was papa.
bly IN liquor, a chronic condition from
his general appearance, and Mr.. Mac
bean discharged him on the spot with
q decision which left no loophole for
appeal.
Fergus waited IN increasing excite
ment The days events were worthieT
OF dream
His mystincation was now complete.
Unimaginative as he was by practice
and profession, he had an explanation
a minute until the time was up, when
the truth beat them all for Wild i'm
probability. Macbean had risen, lift
ing the lamp. Holding 1t ON high, he
led the way through balze doors into
the banking premises. Here was an
other door. which Macbean not only
unlocked. but locked again behind
them both. A smGn inner ONCE led
them into a shattered chamber OF fair
Eize, with a broad polished counter,
glass swing doors aud formidable
portal beyond. Aud ono OF young Car
I3ek's theories received apparent con.
frmation on the spot, for the man
ager slipped behind bis counter by AN
other door aud ut once whipped out a