The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-11-18
o WOODSFIELD OHIO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 49, 1s4s, n.

cheerily singing the verses OF Christ
mass caroll-- y 9ni ~ 'aHriG aI5"
"'i The hoIly's berry is not so red
1i!i As the blessed, blood that Jesus shedj
s3' Nor pretty mistletoe, I f..l'- o. -IsS|
81, Though it be white as snow, s,,..,
t'''' So white as
The words were still on his lips,
when, arrived at an abrupt turn Of the
road, he was suddenly seized by several
men in sailors dresses, and thrown
down on the ground. In spite Of all
his sttuggIings his arms were fastened
to his sides, his legs tied together, his
eyes were bandaged, and gag was
forced into his mouth. He was pressed
down by the knees Of his ruffianly as
saiIan.s, fiat in the road: and a voice
addressed him in hurried, bu. distinct
tones, ''Tis no, use to struggle. lfyou
are not immedia :ely quiet, your brains
will be dashed out directly. Only be
easy, and you will not have a hair Of
your Head hurt; but if you attempt TO
make a noise, there is pistol, always
loaded and cooked, within few inches
Of your head-see" and the bandage
was slipped for a moment, that he might
look at a large horse. pistol in close con.
tigui,y with his forehead. Short and
fearful as was the glance which the wa
goner gave at the formidable weapon,
he did not fail to observe that the hand
holding the pistol was the fair white
hand Of gentleman, and that there was
a sparkling ring on his finger. After
wha. he had seen, and heard, the wa.
goner perceived the FOLLY of attempting
to disturb or to resist his captors. -
Perfectly passive, he was elevated on
the back of one Of the men, who carried
him about twenty yards backward and
forward, and then roundabout, evident.
ty to misiead him as to the direction 10
which they were about 10 take him.
He was then placed in vehicle
whether post chaise or carriage he
could not tell: some one entered with
him; the door was shut, and a voice
called out to the driver. "Ready-drive
on!" and away they went rapidly.
The agony accustomed by the gag in
his mouth, the aching Of teeth, and
straning Of the jaws, became soon in.
tolerable; and careless Of consequence
es, he groaned and gasped piteously,
and strove 10 articuate. The choking
sounds he uttered seemed 10 alarm one
Of the persons sitting beside him; the
gag was presently removed, and he was
asked, in a kind tone, whether the gag
hurt him. The poor fellows jaws fell
together the instant the gag was re-
moved, and for some time he could not
separate7 them so as to utter syllable.
He seemed pitied by the persons be-
side him; for he was told that il he
would but be silent, the gag should not
be applied again; but that the moment
he attempted to make any disturbance,
it would be replaced, even ifit tortur-
ed him to death. He was told further,
tha. wherever he might be. taken, il
would be useless to call for assistance;
for be would be taken to a place where
no living being would be near him but
those who had him in their custody
All this was said in a mild exposiula-
ting tone and manner, though with evil
dent a,temptsto disguise the voice.
Putting all things together, hasty as was
his attempt TO reason on his situa-
ton, the wagoner's terror began to give
place TO sheer amazement. He could
not conjecture what could be the mo-
tive OF those who had esiezed him. He
could scarcely think plunder their OBJ,
Ejeci, till he suddenly adverted to his
wagon, fully iaden--ah! the thing was
fearfullyi probably! How did he know
but it contained, unknown to himself,
yetknown to those who had siezed him,
articles ofvery great Value--money or
plate2 Horrid thought! was he being
conveyed by highwaymen to their rem
dezvous,I there to be dispatched, that he
mightrtallno talesa He was trembling
withthe terror occasioned by these sur.
misses when the vehicle slapped; s. the
cords which bound his legs werelunlied; !;
and he was told 10 step ut.aaWith the
Ishivering reluctance ofiaosheep being
urged into the bloody slaughter house
the wagner obeyed, screaming, "Msr-
lcy!; mercy! mercy, gentlemen!"' and
he dropped upon his knees. III He was
Iauddeniy plucked up, however,, sSi.
4 lence, sir!n whispered the voice, of one
! who firmly graspedIhisright arm--sre-
member! land the gwagoner felt the
muzzle of the pistol touching ibis ear.
! His limbs could scarcely support'hlm;
[so heIwas rather dragged and pushed
4 than any thing else, along a paved
place. ed He beard the sound ofa wood.
l en- cate heinz unharreff. and nresently