The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-12-17

determination, fingered there, week arte
week. The family where he lodged wa,
quite willing that he should remain Their,
any length OF time he might please to stay
He paid literally for his board-morC
than twice rs much as they demanded
and always i'll advance. His gentleman
ly department, the cheerfulness with
which he accommodated himself to their
humble condition, his anxiety to avoid
giving unnecessary trouble, excited in the
minds of the whole family a warm int.
rest IN his favor. Since his arrival, his
manners, in some respects, had under
gone striking change. His countcnance
indicated heart ill at ease. 1t was evil
dent that his thoughts were distant from
the objects before him. His steps were
troubled, and hours were daily passed in
solitude.
1t could not be expected that stranger
of gentccl address, who rode an elegant
horse. wore a gold watch, and was pro-
lu5cly supplied with cash, could remain
for two months in Il frontier settlement,
without any ostcnsible business, and not
excite suspicious to his disadvantage
Young Elwood was not ignorant Of the
rumors that were abroad, but disrcgardcd
them. Attempts were made, sometimes
by direct, but more frequently by artiul
questions, to draw from him the object of
his long sojourn in the settlement. When
the interrogation was simple honest heart
ed fellow, who was influenced only by
Unsuitable curiosity, Eiwood, with an air
of profound mystery, took him aside, and
under the promise Of inviolable sccresy,
gravely whispered into his ear a story so
udicrous and improbable, that when re-
peated, rs it Away was, the poor fellow
who enacted the part OF Paul Pry, was
known to have been egregiously quizzed.
70 qucstoners of different class he re-
piled only with look Of indignant con-
tempt. This course, in a short time el-
(ectually secured him from any further
ANNOYANCE of that kind, but his unwilling
ness to disclose the nature of his business
confirmed tie suspicious that already cX
isteJ. All this, however, made but 4
faint and momentary impression upon the
mind of EIwood. He read, wrote, and
took his solitary walks, forgetIul that any
dark suspicious rested upon his charac-
ter.
With the people of the settlement he
avoided, as much as possible, all inter-
course. Once only he called upon Major
Clifton, with the intention of cutivating
his acquaintance, but was received in a
manner so naughty and rcpulsive that he
felt no inclination to renew the attempt.
This was the young man about whom
the "Rcgulators" now held consultation.
Many circumstances conspired to iasten
upon him the suspicion of being connect
ed with the robbery. He had appointed
that very day for his departure, and made
every preparation for that purpose. A
laborer of Major Chfton's Of the name of
Martin, who formed one of the party that
pursued the robbers, now recollected that
he had seen Elwood on the night OF the
robbry lurking near the dwelling Of his
employer. These facts, and many others
that were adduccd, removed every doubt
of his guilt. The evidence against him
was at least sufficient TO decide his fate.
1t was unanimously resolved to arraign
him. on the afternoon of that day, before
tribunal of Regulators, and it hardly
need be added, that his immediate execu-
ton was to follow his conviction. Major
Clifton volunteered his services to appre-
hend him.
When the news of the robbery reached
Mr.. Fell, the man at whose house Elwood
lodged, he foresaw at once the imminent
danger in which his young boardcr would
be placed, and advised him TO flee instant
". TO his establishment, alti,Udgh Ell
wood had appointed that very morning
for his departure, he declared his intention
of remaining while shade Of suspicion
rested upon him. Fell earnestly entroat-
cd him not to brave the vengeance of an
exasperatcd band of "Reguators," who
would not fail of connecting him with the
robbery. lie replied with energy, that
nothing could induce him to flee and thus
confirm suspicious so fatal to his rcputa-
ton that whatever might be the conse-
Quences of his continuing in the settle
mcnt, he would meet them,
Finding his ontrcaties of no avail, Mr..
Fell left him and joined the party that
assembled that morning at the house OF
Major Clifton.
When the Regulators had separated,
Major Clifton, accompanied by Martin,
rode loisurely homcward, with the inen-
ton of procuring the aid OF one OF his ser
wants, and then of proceeding to Fell's
for the purpose of capturing Elwood, and
bringing him prisoner to his own house,
| there IN unlrruo the tormnlity of n trial