Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-08-18
duce a delay; and delay might affect the

i spent the remainder of the afternoon
rambling about the city, viewing it, and
as thought, till the last, moment with
out further adventure But Just as L
was hunting my way back to my boar
ding house TO tea, was stopped by a
sharp, but rather timid. looking young
fellow, a tailor's clerk, who begged my
pardon, believed was Mr.. James j.
Il Smith, reminded me that owed very
long bill to his employers, Messrs. Snip
d Shears, limited that they had written 70
me two or three times on the subject, OBJ
served that times were hard, and conclu-
ded by insinuating the pleasure would
confer upon those gentlemen, il 1 would
be SO good as TO walk with him, forthwith,
down to their shop-which was only Sc
ven or eight squares off
replied to all this, that he had mista-
ken his man; that owed Messrs. Snip
d Shears nothing; and upon his presu-
ming TO express some ineredulity at the
denial 1 threatened to break his bones
upon which he became alarmed and re-
treated. But observed him following
me at distance, and dogging me all the
way TO my boarding house.
After tea. having no acq uaintanccs in
the city, went to one of the theatres to
pass the evening, and passed it in the
main, very pleasantly. 1 was, indeed, at
one time annoyed by the conduct of two
or three well dressed, but noisy young
fellows in the next box, who from their
discourse, soon set down as gamblers
and determined rogues. One of them,
who had rcd hair, observed, was very
genteel in his appearance, but he was an
abandoned desperate in his conversation;
and from some remarks which he and
his companions let fall; was struck with
a sudden suspicion that he was no less a
parsonage than my worthy namesakc,
Mr.. James j. Smith himself. Thus, in
the midst of their laughing and whisper.
ing, | overheard the expressions, +" Old
Rusty" ''the girl" erich and confound
edly handsome, hard headed old bunks,'
DC, and Mr.. Rcd-hcad himself, swore
with all oath, "1f the blood suckers would
give him but two days, he would hold up
his head again with the best of them."-
tried in vain to catch the fellows name;
and soon after he had uttered the words
related, another young man came into
the box and told him "there were hawks
on the wing" upon which he looked
alarmed, and his companions laughed,
and they all Immediately left the theatre.
could then attend to the performance
without interruption; aud had been for
some time absorbed in the interest Of the
scene, when l WAS suddenly aroused by
voice whispering in my ear" say,
Mr.. James j. Smith, this is no place for a
gentleman of your inches. There are
buzzards abroad, who'll stop all marrying
md crivinns IN ,,nrr;o r,a ri ;f
mean To give up that chanceg hang mo, my
1 fine fellow, if shan't be the first TO ar
rest you !"
looked around, and was enragcd TO
perceive the note holder, who gave me
significant nod, and Immediately walked
away. Z" How proYoking,' thought "to
have all these vagabonds take me for that
rascal, my namesake. Yet there Is some
thing, after all in his counsel. 1t would
not be agreeable to be arrested, even by
mistake since there is no one in the city
to whom can appeal for character and
identity. Tomorrow Brown will he here,
and then shall be safe enough"
These thoughts determined me to leave
the theatre and go home. But had
scarcely got the distance Of a square be-
fore had the misfortune to be tapped on
the shoulder by an officer, who told me lie
had writ for me on the suit of Messrs.
Snap & Shears and requested me to fa
vor him with my company to the magis-
trate's. AT the same time perceived
the tailor's clerk, who had evidently kept
me in view, and pointed me out TO the Of
! ficer. 1t was in vain for me TO protest
that / was not the man intended; Mr..
Clerk said "The gentleman was very
good at that story" What, ] asked my
self, if it should not happen 10 suit the
convenience Of Messrs. Snap d. Shears, TO
attend the magistrates / fcltycry well
assured that should be liberated as soon
/ as they saw me but they might have
delegated the whole business 10 the clerk
who would not hesitate TO swear, l was
! James j Smith, because had admitted |
was and then bail would be demanded !,
and for want oft, must Immediately be
packed of TO prison. E1l3
The thought of this degradation filed
me with sudden fury, and, without taking
/ time to reflect upon the consequences, !
knocked the officer down, though he was
a burly fellow twice as big as myself,
I and kicked the little clerk into the gutter,
and Immediately ran off, hoping TO make
my way TO the boarding house, there to
! lie concealed until Brown should arrive
in the city. e.iu Ll. D. s-g- i.as so.i4p . I
This proved a moro difficult underta.
king than expected 4; and the streets
being pretty full of. people. flor Il was not
eleven o'clock, D l was followed and head
ed, and assailed on both sides : sotlat lL
was only by tasking my activity to the ut
most, and diving into every alley and by
way that offered. thai ] managed TO avoid
my pursprs, Ny greatest fear wa, was o. o.