THE IRISH HIGHWAYMAN.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 28 September 1881, Page 2

THE IRISH HIGHWAYMAN.

— , ♦ An Irishman, finding his cash at lowebb, resolred to adopt ' the road ' as a professional means of refreshing tbe exchequer ; and, having provided himself with a largo horse-pistol, proceeded forthwith to tbe conventional ' lonely common,' and lay in wait. The no less conventional * larmer returning from the market with a bag cf money,' of course, soon appeared, to whom enter Pat with the regulation highwayman offer of choice, 'Your money, or your life!' a remark fortified by the simultaneous exhibition of the fire-arm, in the usual way. Thefarmer, wbo was a Quaker, essayed .-> temporise. ' I would not have thee stain thy soul wiih sin, friend ; and didst tbo-i rob me of my gold, it would be theft i. and didst thou kill me, it would be murder. Bnt bold ! A bargin is no sin, but: a commerce between two honest men. I will giye thee tbis bag of gold for tho pistol which thou boldest at my ear.' Tho unsuspecting am.teur Macbeath, yielding, perhaps, to the Quaker's logic and solicitude for bis spiritual welfare, mado the exchange without a moment's hesitation. 'Now, friend,* cried the wily Ephraim, leveling the weapon, 'give n_>> back my gold or I'll blow thy bra in <• out !' * Blaze away, thin, darlint !' said Pat, 'S»re, there's niver a dhrop of powther in it.' The result was a sold Quaker.— Chambers' Journal.