The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-02-03

but he could moi give up while there was chance.
'Ah!' said he. lhoughfuly; some poor fellow
in trouble, and wants help. What is il Debt or
felony'-or what'
Felony of the first degree replied Mr. Tike,
holding up his thick foot, which matched his fin
gers, 10 the flame, while he applied his handker-
chief to his nose.
is he in prison" demanded Bolton for the pur-
pose of sitting more thoroughly the enigmaical
meaning of the officer.
Hes as good as in replied Mr. Tike, feeling
the key in his pocket. Hell sOod be; he's
TOOK
Again the Attorney experienced that loreboding
of i'll which had so nearly unnamed him when he
heard The first step of his viser in the passage.-
But single glance a, the half closed and watch
full eye of tn. policeman showed him the necessity
of rallying all his energies; for the slightest lrcmor
or single equivoca word might lead him TO the
gallows; and assuming careless manner, he APP
preached the peg where his over coat hung, as il
for the purpose of taking it down. Then pausins
he turned to the officer, and said:
'As this person is not in prison, and have sew
eral matters OF some importance to attend TO, |
would be glad iryou could send some one to let me
know when he is in twould save my time
which is precious; and would 60 to him immedi-
ately,'
IN wonr do, Mr. Bolton replied Mr. Tike, with
something between wink and lecr. 'Hc's took,
as said 'alore.'
Well then, why all this lriaing' Why not say
SO at once When was he taken, and whercH
demanded Bolton, s,crly; 'and wha, does he want
with me"
In reply to these intcrrogniorics, Mr. Tiko quiet
" drew the door key Gom his pocket, and placing
it ogains, his nose, ogled Bolton through the han
die.
lie was captured about ten minutes ago, in this
'clc room; by This ere key; and he wants you to
90 prison as his substitute
Bolton threw hasly look about the ROOM The
windows were all closed and high 'iom the ground
lie glanced At hi: own spare frame, and measured
its s,rcngth with that of the ponderous and mus
cular man before him. lie locked about for n
weapon of defence, On the top ola desk oppo-
site him lay an Old Ratchet, which had once aided
in a murder. whose pcrpetrator he had screened
from injustice. Ills eye rested on it for a moment,
and his purpose was fixed, So was that of Mr.
Tlkc,w had watched bis eye and saw the wcap-
on.
Without changing his position or altering mus
Gle, Bolton, turned 10 the officer and said:
This is strange enigma. Speak out, will you,
and tell me plainly, what you want ~
well then, plainly, want you' responded Mr.
Tike, to show cause why you should not be hang
ei for murder
Murder" calculated Bolton.
'Ay, mnrdc Mr. Bolton. You was seen to at
tack weak man, sick, alone, and abou, to die;
yon was seen struggling with him, to grasp his
throat, to throw him down, and to smother him;
and then, then to leave him, as he had died
na,'ral death. This you was seen to do, Mr. Dol.
ton, this very night, not two hours ago; and tina,
man was one who was your Gicnd-W Wilkins"
"'ris Glse,-- false rs helI shouted Bolton, his
eyes starting, and hair bri',ns with horror Il, the
description of the policeman Il did not! you can.
not prove it! I'll not 90 with you, to be murdered
on charge like that! BY the living God III not!
See here" shouted he, springing to the mlchc,,
and brandlshlng II like maniac over his head
see here With this I'll defend mysclrto the last
TO the last gasp! la, ha! have | lhwar,cd you.
Old blood hound Have tlwurted you' One
step toward mc-ay, one inch and bury this in
your skull! Keep oil, 10th Of you-LoM Of you,
Ay, even though he help you, III no, give up
The policeman drew a pistol from his pocket,
wilhOu, moving from his seat cooked ii, uad point
ed it at the Attorney.
Look yc, Mr. Eollon, said he, IAN axe Is dan
scrous wc'pcn, huta pistol is dangeouser. I've
no objection to you being frightened It's all in
course, and you may even shake that clcavcr II,
me; but you mustn't come nearer with it, and YOU
mustn't resist the law; for | come here to take
you, and living or dc2d. III do it. So put Up
yonr axe, or III quie, YOU with bullet. You'd
better put it up
For moment the Attorney slarrd nbou, him
like a ballcd tiger, and measured the distance be-
tween himself and the muzz'c Of the pistol. Had
there been the sIigh,cs, ,rcmor in the hand that
gaspcd it,or the shadow Of lrresoulon in the face
Of Mr. Tikc. he would have hazhrded the struggle;
but he saw that il was useless; and with
mui,ered curse he dashed the Ratchet to the floor
and taking his Goa, from The peg, pu, it on without
word, and tuning 10 the officer, said tina, he was
ready to accompany him.
You'd better take your hat and put on your
gloves fo it's cold night said Mr. like, return
ing the pistol TO bis pocket, and drawing forth the
key. Now step forward like a reasonable man,
said he, as he unlocked the door There, take
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