The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-08-20

ratified over the rough road Looking behind
him, he saw approaching in the carriage,
Mr.. Daybook, accompanied by another man,
with whom he appeared to be in close con-
versation. Thinking nothing of the incident
he kept on his way, whistling in his light
heartedness as he went.
When the carriage came up with him, i'll
suddenly stopped, and the gentleman accom-
panying Daybook, thus accosted him:
81 am extremely sorry to inform you,
young man, that you are strongly suspected
of committing, what in the language of the
law is known as petit larceny, consequently Il
am under the disagreeable necessity of in
tlmatlng to you that you are hereby arrest
ied"-exhbiting at the same time his author
Iity. "My friend here, Mr.. Daybook," he
continued, "has made oath that he has good
reason to believe, and does believe, that YOU
Jacob Wilcox, have stolen from him, against
the peace and dignity of the State of Yer
mont, and in violation of its laws, pair ofI
shears, of the value of one dollar, whereof he
has made complaint, in due form; therefore,
for the present, at least, you must consider
yourself my prisoner"
Search was made, and 10 and behold on
opening Jacobs pack, pair of shears were
found, answering the description set forth in
the writ. Had a athundcrbolt exploded att
MONDAY, with bright sun and no cloud to
be seen, or any other strange phenomenon
exhibited itself, Jacob Wilcox could not
have been more confounded or utterly anna
zed
lchabod Daybook had for many years
been a trader in the town, and was reputedI
rich, but whether his riches were honestly
accumulated, was extremely doubtful HeI
held mortgages on many farms in the neigh
borhood, and was so intimately connected |
with the business Of the region, that he was
obsequiously courted and flattered on ac-
count of his wealth, rather adored than honor
ed and respected by reason of his good quail
ties, whether of mind or heart.
On their way back to the village, Mr.. Day
book thus condolingly addressed Jacob
"What pity is, that a young man like
you, just setting out in life, and with such
fair prospects before you, should be over
taken in such grieyeous fault | wouldn't
wish to be hard with, or pursue you to ex-
tremities, seeing it's only your first offence,
which no doubt, it is, and hope it might
prove good lesson to you for the future
This matter can easily be hushed us. Come, /
now, just pay me fifty dollars, and have this
painful matter-for painful is it to me, / as
sure you-all settled"
"Mr. Daybook, replied Jacob, 81 know
not by what means, or by whose agency
these shears came into my pack. certain
ly never put them there An enemy has
done this thing. | shall abide the result, !
come veal or come woe. 1t shall never bel
said that the son Of Gabriel Wilcox paid hush
money to avoid the imputation Of crime of
which he was entirely innocent"
They then moved on in silence, soon ar !
rived back to the village, and stopped at the
tavern, where shortly after Jacob was sum
moned in due form before Squire Smith, the
village Justice.
The news ofthe pursuit and arrest, which
had spread abroad, had collected together
the usual number Of loungers and do moth
ings generally to be found in the vicinity of
a country inn. The examination proceeded.
The complainant stated briefly, distinctly, !,
and with the air of one familiar with such
proceedings, the fact of Jacobs coming to
his store that morning getting his bottle
tilled-the shears lying on the counter when
he came in--and of his missing them imme
diately after his departure no other
person came inio the store or was there du-
ring the time. The constable testified to the
manner of arrest-the finding of the shears
in Jacobs frock, and also to his reservations
of innocence.
Here, then, was chain of circumstances;
plain, simple, and not to be gainsayed.
AT this point, the Justice, turning to Jacob,
asked him what he had to offer, why he +,
should not suffer the penalty Of the law.
Jacob arose with much calmness, though /.
with countenance more than usually pallid, :
and said: "May it please the Court am
innocent. Circumstances appear much a.
J9age notaccording to appearances,
hit judge righteous Judgement An Internal
blot has been laid to rob me of my money /;
md of my good name, and d"--clenching his !
luge fist, and slowly extending his long
muscular arm in the direction of the COM
'lainant-'htoa IhaJod Daybook, art The, }
nanh
For moment, breathless silence reigned
n the room. This sudden outburst of ia
;ob seemed almost prophetic. Daybook, sat b
lndisturbed. He looked upon him with
iendlsh leer, as the gamester might be sup 10
,osed to look upon the victim of his foul play,
llready in his coils. In
Suddenly commotion was heard near the
loor--a young man pressed forward, and an fl
that alady was waiting without, who
Wished to speak to Squire Smith; she had il
important testimony to give relating to the I"
ase before the Court. The lady, apparently
bout forty-hye years ofage, was ushered in, n
md much agitated took the stand; and, be-
ng duly sworn, Justice Smith soothingly Ii
aid: My good woman, please tell the Court &
What you know relating to the case now in s
learing:
81 had occasion to go into Mr.. Daybook's s d
tore this morning. Just as was entering S
he store, | saw Mr. Daybook take pair Of h
hears from the counter, and hastily putthem
nto pack, lying there; thinking it all right
some one had bought them G
thought no more oft. When was in the
tore, the young man now charged with
tealing, came round from the other part Of i
he store, at the same time putting small !,
'ottlc in his pocket, buckled on his pack !
nd passed out"
care pou sure" asked the Justice, that
his young man and the pack arethe very
anne you saw in the store?'
"As sure of it as / am of any thing that | |
ee with my own eyes; and am eare they