A HIGHWAYMAN OUTWITTED

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 15

A HIGHWAYMAN OUTWITTED

. One afternoon in the beginning of the eighteenth century Miss Arabella'Peltigrew was riding in the old stage-coach from Colchester lo London to visit a rich relation. She was'the only daughter; her fond parents had dressed her richly, and had given her plenty of money to spend, They wished their dear love to enjoy herself. Very attractive and beautifully dressed, the young madam sat in the carriage. ■ . . --...' '.."!. Her flowered silk flowed over full side panniers, her black taffetas pinne'r.was.'Ksbrojdered with p'ansies and roses, her tight-fitting bodice was ranged with gay ribbons like a ladder. ■ -Masses of rich auburn locks were strained over a wire frame called a commode; a tall fontange and top-knot crowned the structure, made of the;" finest,lace and ribbon half a yard high. ■ Mistress Arabella was a -fine, tall girl, herself. It was no wonder she'could barely hold herself upright in the coach. • lliey were crossing the heath by Braintree in Essex when the driver put liis head in through the window. • ■ "Madam!" he.said, "there are several young sparks like highwaymen hanging; about the c<»nmon. If you have valuables about you, you had better secure'them under the seat. And think of a ruse, madatn, to protect them JiV case we arc" told to stand and deliver." ■ Arabella's little determined mouth shut like a trap; her black brows drew; down. "■ ■' ■ ■ ■-' ■"■.-" ■"• : , ...-.•; ..-..."• ■■ .- ': ./Valuables!' Of course she had valuables on her,.her own trinkets, her mother's jewellery borrowed for the occasion, a gold watch, a purse full of guineas, and, last but not least, the lace of her topknot and fontange was of the finest Mechlin; it would furnish.several cravats rarely for the marauder's'" use." She must think of some way to guard her treasures, hut how?. All she knew; was that she was'resolved not to part with them without a struggle. How? . ■ Meanwhile,' Mr. Nicholas Homer, scapegrace son of the parson of Hpnit'orij and famous robber on the King's highway, came cantering along on his fine bay horse. He was attired in a claret-coloured suit, big riding boots, black mask, and carried sword and pistol by his'side. He threatened the' driver; the coach drew up. It was Homer's intention to ride up to the'carriage window, and,say "Stand, and deliver up your money!" ; But he, was forestalled., The door burst open and out rushed Arabella,, a sight to be seen. She had torn off her fine head-dress and had hidden it," with the rest of her property, beneath the seat. She had crowned herself with a wreath of straw which she had found on the floor, and dishevelled her red hair, which flared all around her in the wildest confusion. ■ . , ; ; . Clinging to the highwayman's stirrup, she cried in a very piteous and shrieking voice, "Ah, Cousin Tom, I am glad to see you! I beg you lo:saye me from this rogue of a coachman, who is carrying me away to piit jne in Bedlam for a crazy woman." ' "'"I am none of your cousin. I don't know you," Homer roughly replied, quite taken aback, "You' seem mad indeed. Bedlam is the fittest place for you." ■ . . . ■ "Ah, Cousin Tom," she cried again, "I will go with you! I won't go. to ..Bedlam," And she, clung to his coal; skirts, with all her force in a well-acted frenzy of excitement.., . '"■;' ' . "Nicholas as a rule was afraid of no one, but he did not like this companion. Said he to the coachman, "Do you'know this mad toad?" "I know her well," the other replied. . "She is sadly distracted. I am going with her now by her uncle's orders to put her under the charge of a physician." . ■ . "Bedlam is the best place for her," said Homer. !"Take her there, at .once.; she deserves it. I thought I had a good pr,ize, but n°w I see 1 shall get nothing." • . : . .•■.,.• . ■ 'So saying he set spurs to his horse,,and made off as fast as he could go.'