Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1858 — Original Tale. [ARTICLE]

Original Tale.

INKLINGS OF IDLEVILLE. WRITTKH IXMIKIILT FOR Till RKN9SKLAKR (iAKKTTE, BY QUIZ.

(continued.) CHAPTER XXVI. 1 know him a noidfrious liiar, Think him a great way fool, aolelly a coward; Yet thene fix’d evils sit so fit on him, That they take place, when virtue’s steely bows Look bleak in the cold wind. All’s Well that Ends Will. Mr. Wise. a£ler firing upon Durell on the occasion of his burglarious expedition to the house,of the former, and seeing that he had missed the marauder from his rapid retreat, quietly examined the lower portion of the premises. Finding every thing in order, he concluded that the thief had just made an entrance when discovered, and after securing thp sitting-room door, returned to his own apartment. The matter was a subject of brief conversation at the morning meal, and then forgotten, or at least hushed. About tvN) months after the occurrence just alluded to, a couple of strangers, with nothing remarkable about them, unless, indeed, it might be their roughness of costume and manner, alighted from the coach coming from the south, and requested a private apartment in the miserable tavern, but the best, Idleville could now boast. One of these individuals was rather Gorpulent, of the middle hight, with keen, blue eyes, which seemed to take in and understand everything, slightly bold, and as we have before said, plainly dressed. The other was a short, compactly formed man, with a bul-let-shaped head, short nose, the tip of which manifested a desire to make the acquaint- 5 ance of the right eyebrow, a low forehead and a sinister expression of his dark eyes, together with his thick, protruding lips, gave him rather a villainous appearance.

In possession of their room, they requested the landlord to send them some one to run an errand; which, being complied with, the corpulent gentleman, who seemed lo be spokesman, dispatched the urchin who waited upon them with a note to our old acquaintance, Mr. Tibbs. During the lad,’s absence, the two sat in profound silence, looking at each other in, the dim twilight wuh a kind of mysterious air, at the same time evidencing a mutual understanding, or exceedingly knowing expression. After a lapse of twenty minutes, the boy reappeared with a lamp, and in company with Mr. Tibbs, who looked about as usual, the only apparent change being an increased rotundity and a more crimson hue of countenance. He still carried the identical canc, and occupied the same official position as upon his first introduction—the latter fact being accounted for becauso no one in the vicinity ever evinced ambitious aspirations toward the office, and consequently he had become quite a fixture, with an evident determination to permanency. His manner on the present occasion was characterized by his accustomed air of selfimportance, and he examined the strangers

minutely. The keen eyes of the larger of the two seemed to disconcert him a little, they were so searching in the momentary glances they exchanged during the brief space previous to their speaking. “Mr. Tibbs, I presunge,” said the spokesman, rising in comoanv with his comrade. “That is my name; may I know whether I have the honor of addressing the writer of this!” answered Mr. Tibbs with suavity, yet dignifidly, and holding out the note he had received. \ “Exactly, sir; Dapple is my name. Allow me to make you acquainted with Mr. Dunn.” Mr. Tibbs and the crooked nosed man shook hands, expressing their mutual gratification at the acquaintance, after which the trio seated themselves, and Mr. Tibbs requested to know their object in summoning him. “In the first place, sir,” said Mr. Dapple, taking Tibbs by the lapel of the coat and drawing themselves more closely together, “to come more readily to business, you must know that Mr. Dunn and myself belong to the Detective Police of .” “Ah, ha!” drawled out Mr. Tibbs, closing one eye and looking first at Dapple, and then at Dunn with the 'other,“an arrest in the wind, eh!” “Exactly; you hit the right nail on the head,” responded Mr. Dapple, using the vulgarism as though accustomed to it. “An important one, too, eh, Dapple!” put in Mr. Dunn, as though he thought it incumbent upon him tu say something. “Well, rather,” answered the one appealed to, slowly and with emphasis. Mr. Tibbs thought himself in duty bound to look serious at this announcement, and did so accordingly.

“Give ua the particulars,” said the Idleville official. * I “Exactly; stop a bit,” replied Mr. Dapple, drawing a greasy wallet, well filled with papers, from hjs pocket and extracting therefrom a dingy looking card, glancing at which, he continued: “Do you know a man about here by the name of Crooker?” “Crooker—Crooker—let me see,” said Mr. Tibbs thoughtfully, 1 hough well aware, from the first, he knew no such person. “Well, really, the name seems familiar, but positively I cannot call the individual to mind at this moment. Have you a description of his person!” he continued, after reflecting a short time longer with the head of his cane between his teeth. “Yes,” replied Dapple, and proceeded to read further from the card. “Very short in stature, long, dark hair, small, gray eyes, slovenly in appearance and ” n “All right; that’ll do, Mr. Dapple; I know him well.” And Tibbs brought his hand forcibly against the table. “What’s he with I”

“Why, you see,” answered the Detective, “yesterday morning a man was arrested in our city for passing counterfeit money. He proved a chicken-hearted rascal, and one of a & an g* an d * n order to get clear, proposed to turn State’s evidence. Of course, he was listened to; and in order to be ahead, in case any of his chums should get wind of the matter, all the information possible was gotten out of him at once.” “And Crooker, as you call him!” suggested Mr. Tibbs. “Is one of the principal villains in the gang; the business has been carried on at his house.” “Hoff many of them are there!” inquired Mr. Tibbs. “Some half-dozen or so.” “We will need more assistance.” “Well, I don’t know; if you know a couple of reliable men, it might do to get them. It makes little'difference, however; be very cautious in your movements, these rascals are sharp, and they scent danger at a distance.”

“Trust me for being cautious,” answered Tibbs, with a significant shake of the head. “I arrested this rascal once before, on suspicion that all was not right about his house; but the Mayor let him off with a slight examination. So I determined to let things take their own course, for murder will out, youcknow,” and Mr. Tibbs threw himself back in his chair with the air of a much injured individual. “They’ll believe me next time I assert anything,” he continued, after a pause. “When did you make this arrest?” inquired Dapple. ■ “Several years since.” “This business has onty been going on 'about eighteen months.” “Oh!” ejaculated Mr. Tibbs, and without knowing what to say further, remained silent, looking rather discomfited. “We had better commence operations as soon as possible,” suggested Mr. Dbpple. “Yes, the sooner it is over with the bet-

ter,” broke in the phlegmatic Dunn. “If you’ll excuse me a h iw moments,” said Mr. Tibbs, rising, “I’ll get the men we were speaking of, for fear, you, know, we might have more than we can manage,” implying by his mariner, however, that such was highly improbable, though it were better to be on the sure side. Mr. Tibbs having made his exit, the Detectives looked at each other for a short time in silence, as though they were making up their minds upon a particular point. They came finally to a conclusion. “Dunn,” exclaimed Mr. Dapple. “Well, Dapple.” ■> “He’s a spooney,” and Mr. Dapple give his head a jerk in the direction, of the door. “My opinion to a hair.” Mr. Dapple laughed heartily and long; and when he wa3 about resuming his wonted gravity of demeanor, Mr. Dunn’s risible faculties became suddenly excited, which caused Mr. Dapple to break out afresh, and they laughed in concert; at which pleasant occupation*?:they were yet engaged when Mr. Tibbs returned with the “reliable couple” he had < hm& to seek. These being introduced to the Detectives, the utmost good humor prevailed, Dapple and Dunn having seemingly entered into a silent, though mutual, ngieement to be particularly happy. Mr. Tibbs, at the request of Mr. Dapple, gave a miriute diagram of the premises they were about to visit, upon a piece of paper; which the hitter examined attentively for a few Jnomei|ts, and, with a satisfied air, passed it over to his partner, who nodded in a significant manner, after a brief inspection.

It now being dark, Mr. Dapple gave what instructions he deemed necessary in regard to the business they were about to engage in, and the party started silently on their expedition, and for a wonder, escaped the curious, ever watchful eyes sf the idlers. Separating into two parties at the door of the tavern, Mr. Tibbs accompanying Mr. Dapple, and Mr. Dunn with the two aids, they approached, by different directions, the house of Durell. ! Mr. Tibbs and his companion soon arrived in the vicinity of their destination, and enscoucing themselves in a secluded corner of the building appointed as displace of rendezvous, awaited the approach of the other party. They were scarcely |o fixed when the Idjeville official pulled Mr; Dapple gently by the sleeve. I I - “There he goes now, look'.” exclaimed the former in a suppressed toqae, and indicating with his finger an object; scarcely Derceptiblo in the dim light afforded by the stars, moving slowly along a short distance from them v Mr. Dapple made a step forward, then halted. “Hush! he is going from t|ie house; we must wait till he returns.” “But if he should meet the.others!” suggested Mr. Tibbs, nervously. “No danger of that; they are coming by a different route.” Even as he spoke, the trio alluded to made their appearance, as the figure of the dwarf was lost in the deepening shadows. Having met, Mr. Dapple ordered them all in the passage which being silently performed, he stalled himself at some distance from the and patiently awaited the return intended prisoner. Half an hour elapsed, and at its expiration, the official perceived, not three steps from him, the dwarf, wiljimig slowly and unconsernedly by. The evidently had not perceived the appeafance of the other, and started back with an Exclamation of surprise as Dapple placed his hand upon *‘im* “Not a word, on your life—us your other fiit,,my cove;” and hesitation, or before Durell had fairly red from his surprise, his hands were confined by a piece of cord, to the ends of bits of bone being attuched, and held bj7£he officer, rendered his escape impossibly “You’re small, to be sure, but you might gi*e trouble, you know,” said Mr. Dapple, tiljjUing the cord more tightly round the prisoner’s wrists. “Stop, will you!” said Durelli, -savagely, between his teeth. “You’ve for pulling the thing so tight.” “You’ll find one tighter round fjrffur neck, one of these fine mornings, thy beauty. But I have’nt time to talk now—you must put those rascals iff ytfur house into the custody of myself andAifl;®.” “I don’t know what you’re tallcirig of.” answered Durell, doggedly. “That won’t go down, my cavegyou can’t gammon me^ —not much. You’ye 1 got to lead the way to that shanty, and ,fdtch the fellers out; and if you go to plavirig tricks, you’ll fair badly. So come abend i** Without saying anything furijherj Mr. Dapple hurried his prisoner aloriff till they reached the door of the house, when he wii

again ciutioned to make no signal by which a knowledge of the presence of the officers could be communicated to any of his confederates. Durell made no answer, and refusing to enter first, Dapple took the lead. Mr. Tibbs led him to the apartment the dwarf usually occupied, which was taken possession of in profound silence. “Now you tell me ” began the principal officer; but suddenly pausing, he leaned forward, and with one hand raised, as if to caution the others, he remained listening a moment. As he did so, the faint clinking of a hammer sounded through the room. Quick as thought Dapple’s eyes were bent searchingly upon the dwarf’s face. The latter winched a little, and the echo of the metal seemed to ring a deafening peal into his ears. “No, you needn’t tell me, either,” continued the officer. “Mr. Tibbs, oblige me by keeping an eye to this one, while I examine into matters a little.” Mr. Tibbs did as requested, but with some hes tation, while the detective, assisted by his partner, and watched by the “reliable couple,” proceeded to inspect the apartment. “Here, we have it,” said Mr. Dunn, finally, seizing the ring attached to the strap, and raising it a little. “All right,” chimed in the leader, ns Ids assistant gently laid open the door and disclosed the steps leading below, and at the same time their ears were greeted with a repetition, in a much louder key, of the noise which first attracted the attention of Dapple. “Now, gentlemen, you follow us, and Mr. Tibbs, keep a sharp eye on the little chap. So, easy, now, no noise,” and th« four disappeared, one after the other. (to be continued.)

whom all men scorn for h’s poverty, rich, and he shall pe clad in fine linen, and shall rejoice. And the sons of men shall meet him in the market place, and the sheriff shall shun him, and scoffers shall be rebuked, and shall take off their hats to him that was poor. And shall flash the dollars in the eyes of the foolish and shall eat bank note sandwitches, Yea, even shall he light his pipe with railroad scrip, and cast-his spittle on the beards of other men. For I will ruin myself and he who advertises me shall enjoy my substance,, But lo! the trading man—even he who sold merchandise—became rich, and even as the unclean beast iyeth in the mire, so stireth by reason of much gold. And the people flocked to hi 3 store from the North, And from the South, And from the East, And from the West, And the printer rejoiced, and his “fat” did abound. 0 But the trader could not become poor; and his melancholy ceased, and the smiles of happiness were upon his face. And his children did become mighty in the land by reason of the dollars which many of his people who read his ndvertise--ments, had poured into the trader’s money bag.