Arkansas democratic banner., 1851-09-16
The time the slayer WAS raaxnt.

Aoc ttfue tne ria9or WAS Cauxhfs
 Long time ago. in certain city in the western part oi the county If Sas$ex, EHgiaH1 aE aayer. tsefnent appeared one day offering rewarsB of sen gaiHeas to any person who would give information l 10 the Mayor whs were the rowdies who broke three of the town lamps on the previous night.
 It happened that the Mayor was hardware merchant and the next morning carly afteE the appearance of the offer of tbis reward. by the lamp committee, of which Inc Mayor was cx .oili- cio chairman, carpenter, who was in she habu Of deoilng with the Mayor, walked into his store and enq nired Tor the owner. Tho clerk was very oliicoaS to wait oa the eustomer--said his master had not Yet come down--had been very much broke ot his rest lately in consequence of se many nischieyous persons in town. 's Why sir. they have actually beea breaking the lamps just her. in West street.1
 "Ob. yes says the carpenter, " saw the re- ward offered, and Thought woald como and tell the Mayor who did the mischief"
 "Can you. indeed We'll. will step up and tell him--he win be delighted to hear you name the rascss."
 ''I doubt that but I'll see"
 Says he will be down disecty--as soon as he can finish hts breakfast,' As soon as he entered, he commenced denounc- ing the lamp, breaking raSeals, and nqnriise of ihe carpenter '' It he had any idea they could be dis covered 2''
 tie told him he thought he might give him some information that wonidput his honor on the track Of the eWnns, for he was sure there must be moro than one of ,bem-no donbi very gieat rascais, too--about the worst in town. 1" But perhaps it won't be best to let anybody but yoffF worship know who suspect, until we find wether we can catch them or not, and so vii. go into your pri. vate office, if you please"
 When safe from all intrusive listeners the May or requested him 10 state his reasons why he sns- peeteti any partlcGiar person. 'Why," says he, aboat three o'clock in the ' l ..J Grass, into West-sireet, when l heard the smash of lamp. as though brick had been thrown into it."
 "Did you see any one r' imputed the Mayor eagerly.
 ." did not"
 "Well, th5n go on; see we shant be able to find oat the rascaIs'' Perhaps no,, but we will tTy. When heard the smash, heard hearty laugh, and voice say, 'Pll bel crown, Jo, you can't do that r-- No quicker said than smash went another lamp, and then another 'ha: haf and poioo eaS old horse Pm sure he didn't say nsge, your worship. Within a minute, away went the third. By that time had eot to Old Sally Whites door, where stood til the three passed me''
 '' But now the lights were out, you could not see who they were r
 :" Noi but knew the laugh night we'll"
 e Is 1t possible But the third one did not laugh you say. so you could not tell who he was'' {" No your worsbip. did not say so though perceive you think Well, he lid not"
 ''Ah, very well And who do yoa think the fellows were that you did hear laogh7 'eWht, the first was Mr. L-----, and the one { he called Jo, was Mir. R R--." t'0h that IS quite impossible They are two M sour most respectable eiizens-besides they are members of the lamp committee who have offered theFeward. On t is quite impossible p'
 Not at all, your worship. 1 am very sure, for saw taem when they ran up West street. was then standing in the shade of Sally Whites door way. 1 am qn,te certain. and should not be sur prised if the third still more respectable ci- tixenF'
 "Is it possible Out on spree. suppose ! Who could the third one be-you did moi hear hum laugh, you say f'
 "No bnt say him plsinef than either of tue others. Shall naae hun 7'' l "Siop! stop or.pity sake. stop l--not word more Have you told any one P' "Not soal. thought best to :eil the Mayor { first, and take hts advice.''
 "You have acted very judicipusly. You shall have the rewarI most freely. 1 will pay il out os | my own pocket Come here this evening about mae clock. Tom and Jo shaii be present to hear your story, and help yoa drink the health of the lamp committee m bottle of my very best old wIae But, for the ose Of serey never mention to any ilylng soul thai the Mayor oi the city of C -, and two ot the lamp committee, were { the rowdies who broke the lamps aud then offer ed a reward Of ten gaisieas for the discovery of ] The rascals v