Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-27

formed at once; and before a week had
passed, they were slowly journeying to-
ward the capital of the State. /,
Meanwhile an extraordinary revulsion 5
Of feeling had taken place a, Philadelphia
Newspapers and other periodicals., which
had formerly been loud in condemnation
OF the locksmi,h. now blazoned abroad
the robbers confession, wondered how
any man could even have been for mo-
ment suspected upon such evidence as
was adduced upon the trial; drew pictures
OF the domestic felicity once enjoyed By
the Sparks and then panted-par'ly from
what was known Of the reality. and partly
from imagination--thcir sutIerings, priva-
tons, aud wrongs, in the pilgrimage they
had performed in fleeing from an unjust
but ruinous accusation. The whole city
rang with the story; old friends and
neighbors, who had been the first to cut
them, now became the loud and yche-
mcnt par,izans Of the family. Every
body was anxious 10 know where they
we're. Some reported that they had per-
! ished in the woods; others that they had
been burnt in prairie; while not few
| believed that the locksniih, driven to ces-
peraton, had first destroyed his family,
and then himself All these stories. Of
course. created as much excitement as the
robbery Of the bank had done before, only
that this time the tide set the other way;
and. by the time the poor locksmith and
his family who had been driven like vaga-
bonds from the city. approached Its sub
urbs. they were met, congratulated, and
followed by thousands, to whom from the
; strange vicissitudes Of their lot, they had
become objects Of interest. In fact, theirs
was almost triumphal entry; and, as the
public always like to have victim, the.
were advised on all hands, to bring an
action against the directors Of the bank;
large damages would it was affirmed, be
given, and the bank deserved TO suffer for
the causelcss ruin brought on poor but
industrious family.
Sparks was reluctant TO engage in any
such proceedings; his character was vindi.
Gated, his business restored, he occupied
mis- own shop; and his family were comfor-
table and content But the current Of
public opinion was too strong for him =
, All Philadelphia had determined that the
banker should pay. An eminent lawyer
volunteered to conduct his suit, and make
no charge, if liberal verdict were no
obtained. The locksmith pondered the
matter well; his own wrongs he freely for
, gave; but he thought that there had been {
readiness to secure the interests of a veal
, thy corporation, by blasting the prospect:
? of an humble mechanic, which, for the
good OF society. ought not to pass unre-
buked nc felt that the moral effect of sucf
, a prosecution would be salutary, teaching
, the rich not to presume too far upon then
| afllucnce. and cheering the hearts of the
, poor, while suffering unn1erted persecu
ton The suit was commenced, and ur
ged TO trial, notwithstanding several at
tempts at compromise on the part OF thu
bank. The pleadinSS on both sides wcr;
, able and ingenious; but the counsel 70
the defendant had theme worthy OF tht
fine powers he possessed; and. at the close
| Of pathetic and eloquent defamation
the audience, which had formerly con
dcmned Amos in their hearts. without evi
dcnce, were melted to tears by the recita
turned with verdict Of ten thousand dol
I lars damages against the bank. the lock
p smith was honored by-a ride home on thei
| shoulders, amidst a hurricane Of cheers