Year: 1872

so he went home and set off with the
OK, and his old dame knew never a word
about the matter. But the robbers, they
knew all about it. and they said to the
youth. faas if he could steal this OK as
he had stolen the other two, then he
should be master over the whole band
Well, the youth get of, and ran into the
wood: and as the man came by with his
OK he set up dreadful believing, just
like a great OK in the wood. Wher the
man heard that, you can't think how
glad he was, for it seemed to him that
be knew the voice Of his big bullock
and he thought that now he should find
both Of them again; 30 he tied up tie
third OK, and ran Of from The road to
look for them in the wood but mean
time the youth went of with the third
OK. Now, when the man came back and
found that he had lost this OK too, he
was so wild that there was no end to bis
grief He cried. and roared, asd bea,
bis breast, and, to tell the truth, it wa.
many days before he dared return home
for he was afraid lest his old dame should
XII him outright on the spot.


As for the robbers, they wcrc not very
well pleased either, when they had to
own that the youth was master over the
whole band. So one day they thought
they would try their hands at something
which he was not man enough to do
and they set off all together, every man
Jac k'of them, and left him alone at home
Now, the first thing he did when they
were all clear of the house, was to drive
the oxen out to the road, so that they
might run back to the man from whom
they had stolen them; and right glad he
was to zee ihrm. as you may fancy -
Next lie took all the horses which the
robbers had, and loaded them with tie
best things he could lay his hands on
gold and silver, and clothes aud other
fine thing; and then he told the old
lame to greet the robbers, when they
came back, aud to thank them for him,
and to say that now he was setting ost
on his travels /; and that they would have
hard work to find him again; and with
that off he started.


After a good bit he came to the road
along which he was going when he fell
am""S sh. robbers and when he got
near home, and could zee his fathers
cottage, he pu, on a uniform which he
bad found among the clothes lie had just
taken from the robbers, and which was
made just like generals. So he drove
up to the door as if he were any other
great man After that he went in and
asked if he could have a lodging? No;
that he couldn't at any price.


How ever should be able said the
man. "to make room in my house for
such iue gentleman-I would scarce
have rag to lie upon, and miserable rags
too?'


"You were always stingy old hunks, ~
said the youth. land so you are .iill.''
when You wont take your own son in


"Wbat. you my son T. said the man.


Don't you know me again. said the
youth, Well, after little while, he did
know him again.


:'Bu. what have yoa been turning your
hand 10. that you have made yourself SO
great a man in such a haste T. asked the
man.


"Oh, I'll soon tell you." said the
youth You said l might take to any
trade | chose. and so bound myself ap
prentice to some thieves and robbers,
now l have served my lime out. and
have become Master Thief"


Now there lived a Squire close by hi.
fathers cottage. and he had such grea,
house, and such heaps of money, that
he could not tell how much he had. He
had a daughter, too, and a smart and
pretty girl she was So the Master
Thief set his heart upon having her to
wife and he told his father to 60 to the
Squire and ask for his daughter for him


"If be asks by what trade get my
living, you can say am Master Thief. u


81 think you've lost your wits," said
the man, for you can't be in your right
mind when you think Of such nonsense.


No! he had not lost his wits; his ia.
ther must and should 20 up to the
Squire's and ask for his daughter


Nay. but III tell you. ] daren'r go ,e
the Squire and be your spokesman; he
who lie 80 rich aud has go much money
said the man.


Yes there was no help for it, said the
Master Thief; he should go whether he
would or no; and if he did not 90 BY
fair means, he would make him 90 by
foul. But the man was still 10th to &c
go he stepped after him, and rubbed hin
down with good birch cudgel. and KEEP
on till the man came crying and sobbine
inside the Squire door.


"Haw. now, my man? ? What all
you :" said the Squire.


SO he told him the whole story !; how
he had three cons who set of one day
and how he had piyen them leave to n