The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-12-27


about V wAs matter Of ofconsidsrabe diflioul-
~ There was no legal pretence for a search
warrant and ]. doubted the prudence Of pro
eeedihg upon my own responsibility with so
Astute an old foN as jackson was represented
To be for suppOaing him 10 boa confederate
with the burglars, he had by this time in all
probability sent the stolen property away to
London IN all likelihood and should / find |
nothingi the consequence OF ransanking his
house merely because no had provided = for
mer servant with legal assistance would be
serious. Under thesa circumstances wrote
TO head quarters for instructions, and by re-
turn of post received orders to prosaea,e ai.s
inquiry thoroughly, but cautiously, and 10
consider time as nothing so long as there APP
PeATed chance Of fixing jackson with the
guilt Of leceiving the plunder Another sus-
picious circumstance that have omitted 10
notice in ia place, was that the Guilford so-
lieitor rendered bail for the prisoners TO any
reasonable amount, and named Enoch Jack
sou As ono Of the sureties, Bail was, howev-
or, refused.
There was no need for oyer-hurrying the
business, a. the prisoners were committed to
the Surrey spring asaizes, aud IL was nov the
season OF the hop harvcst---a delightful and
hiiSriUus period about FArnhmn when the
weather is fine and the yield abundant ],
however, lost no time in making diligont and
minute inquiry As to the character and habits
OF jackson, and the result was full convic-
tion that nothing but the fear OF being de-
nouneed IA an aecompliee could have induced
such misorly, iron-hearted old rogue TO put
himself to charges In defence OF the imprison-
ed burglars.
One afternoon, whilst pondering the mat
ter, and at the same Time enjoying the pretti-
est and cheerfulest rural sights, that OF hop
picking, the Apothocary at whose house
loigcd-we will call him Mr. Morgan he was
a WelchmAn-iapped me suddenly on the
shoulder, and looking sharply round, per-
ceiyed he had something he deemed Of i'm
portAnce to communicate.
"WhAt is Il ?" ! said quickly
The oldest thing ip the world. Thene's
Flint Jackson his deaf old woman, and the
young people lodging with him, all drinking
aud BOOKING away az yon alchouse."
"Show them 10 me il you please"
A few minutes brought us tn the place OF
bostorous entertainment. the lower room Of
which was sufIocGtingiy full OF tipplers and
tobacco smoke. We nevertheless contrivcd
90 edge ourselves in; and my companion
stcalthily pointed ont the group, who were
seaisA iasetA4,F near the farther 4siI4lss,s aii.l
then lefl me TO myself,
The appearance of jackson entirely An-
swered to the popular prefix Of Flint attach
cd TO his name. lie was wiry, guarled,
hcavy-browed, on,jawcd fellow ofabout six
ty, with decp-set eyes aglow with sinister and
greedy instincts. His wife, older than he,
and so deaf apparently az the door of dun
geon, wore simpering, imbccilc look of
wondcrmcnt, il seemed to me, at the presence
of such unusual and abundant cheer. The
young people, who lodged with Jackson,w were
really very frank, honest good looking cou-
pie, though not then appearing to advantage
the countenanco Of Henry Rogers being
flushed with drink, and that Of his wife's
clouded with frowns, at the situation in which
she found herself, and the rioious conduct of
her husband. Their brief history was this
They had both hcon servants 10 n family liv-
ing not far from Farnhan,--S Sir Thomas Leth-
bridges, / undcrstood-whcn about three or
four months previous TO the present time,
Flint Jackson, who had once been in an at
torncy's Office, discovered that Henry Rogers,
in consequence Of the death Of a distant rela-
tive in London,was entitled to oproperty worth
) something like $500. There were, howev-
or, some law difficulties in the way which
jackson offered, If the business was placed in
his hands, to overcome for consideration,
and in the mean time to supply board and
lodging, and sHuh necessary sums Of money as
Henry Rogers might require. With this
brilliant prospect in view service became at
once utterly distasteful The fortunate lega-
tee had for some time courted Mary EIkins
one of the ladies' maids, a pretty, .bright-cyed
brunette and they were both united in the
bonds Of holy matrimpny on the very day the
warnings" they had given expired. Since
then they had lived at Jackson's house in dai-
" expectation oftheir "fortune," with which
they proposed to start in the public line.
Finding myself unrecognized,I called bold.
ly for pot and pipe, and after some manoeu.
wiring contrived to scat myself within car-shot
Of jackson and his party. They presented a
strange study. Henry Rogers was bostorous
and not only drinking freely HIMSELF but
treating dozen fellows around him, the cost
of which he from tipo to time called upon
Z "Old Flint" as he courteously styled his an
cient friend, TO discharge.
i.Come, fork out, Old Flint 70 he cried a.
gain and again. attn be all right,you know,
in day or two, and few halfpence over
Shell out. sld fellow What signifies, 80 you
are happy 2"
jackson complied with an affection of nc
quiescent gaiety ludicrous to behold. Ii was
ovidont'tEiat each successive pall at his purse
was like wrenching tooth out Of his head