The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-11-04


a the presentment that already rose j
/ my mind that it was my destiny to colt
u halter round the neck of that sworthy an
: respectable sort of man" Do what
b would, could not get the notion out Of my
3 head all the evening.
At length tho time came for starting
walked to the coach-office, clapped m,
= porimanteau in the front boot, and, as fat
J would have it, found myself the sole inside
passenger. Here, left to my own thoughts
as the mail ratified lightly along the darl
road, | began calling myself to accoun
why the common place physiognomy o
the stranger had met in the afternoon
and whom had never, to my knowledge
seen before, should haunt me necessarily
as il did. ran over in my mind all my
Experience in the profession, from the very
first pickpocket captured twenty years be-
fore, down TO the transactions OF yesterday
Fiat face was never among the number o.
nv prisoners. Ne, it was altogether new
10 me; and yet, thought again, is that the
face Of one whom ought to have captured
though Eever did? Let me see. be.
gan again to revise all the fruitless chases
had made in the course Of my life, and tc
compare the description of every missing
rogue with the face and figure ofthe stran-
ger. Before the coach stopped for supper
at Newbnry had come upon the right
scent. s'rhat's the man." said Ito myself.
''who stole the two thousand pound letter
from the Post office three years ago!'-
After supper, ! had leisure to think the
matter over, and TO form my plans; and
having settled what would do, went com
foriably TO sleep, and enjoyed good
nights rest, at my ease in the coach.
reported mysef at the Office the same
morning, and requested private confer
ence with my superiors. II was immedi
ately granted. when stated that | had
grounds for surprising myself at length in
he way OF clearing lp the ailair OF the
robbery, and asked for leave to pursue the
investigation in nv own way, with ouch
assistance only as should see fiji to apply
for. No objection was made to my de-
nand, and, supplied with the necessary
funds, Immediately set of in search ofthe
young shopman who had guided me in the
matter Of the sprightlY young lady
| Though he had left his situation in Oxford
street, lie bad fortunately left his present
address behind him and we were soon in
conference To my inquiry whether he
would be still able to Identify the man we
sought? "Yes,'' said be, sat any time.
among thousand others" "Then." said
"you will come with me and notice every
man into whose compiny bring you ami
if you should see him, you will pull Out
your watch and cay 10 him: .'Obiige me
with the time by you, sir, my watch Is
stopped" took a couple ofplaces in the
Bath coach for the same night, and, having
first placed watch upon the motions OF
the sprightly young lady, who was still at
the maternal home in Pccadilly, | again
started off with my companion early in the
evening for the city of the hot springs.
Ia the afternoon Of the next day, having
refreshed ourselves after our journey with
a nap of couple of hours and a good din
ner, made call, in company with the
young draper, upon the Rev. Mr.. -
.What! not gone ye?" said he, 81 thought
sou were 10 London long betnre this"
did not thiuk it necessary TO nndecely g
him. "Why :" said |, II have met with a
young friend; and as ! think have right
to a days holiday, mean to take a turn
at trout, fishing along with him. ! am
come to ask if you will condescend to join
us. You were saying the other day that
you knew of some place where we might
catch fish, aud get decent dinner alter
wards; if you will make one Of our party,
and bring any friend with you, we may
perhaps spend pleasant day together."-
The reverend gentleman was nothing 10th,
and we agreed to set forth directly after
breakfast on the following morning. ]
now went to the rown.hal in search of a
couple of the city officers in whom knew
| might confde, and engaging them to be
at the brook near Midtord-bridge, fishing,
rods in hand, on the morrow, informed
them ,ha, they were TO keep an eye on the
landlord of the "Foy," and in case of any
symptoms of medtated escape, TO take
him into custody. This precau,ion !
thought necessary, as it was possible, were
he the man sought, he might recollect the
face Of the shopman who had sold him the
striped silk, and slope off without waiting
to cook our dinner for US. As we emerg-
ed from tho Town.ball, aud we're descend
ing the steps, my eye lighted upon cou-
pie of young fellows, who, with rods in
their hands and creels at their hips, were
|evidently jus, returning from days fish
ling. lasked them what sport, got into
conversation, and, following them up Il
the upper parlor of an inn in the Borough
walls, sat down with them to taste the pub
lican's Burton ale. The discourse was Of
trout and trout fishing, and ! made many
inquiries as to the different brooks in the
t. neishborhood AT last Milford was men
toned, and the "Fox.Inn'' followed as 8
matter Of course. pretended to be
struck with the name of the landlord Of the
|"Fox," and asked who he was? where he
came from il be my old riend?-
| "Oh," said one Of the young fellows
"H- can tell you all about him; vel
have him up. Here, waiter call Mr.
Ill" The waiter disappeared, anc
, the publican came up stairs. ''Here's
!. gentleman who wants to know about --
! AS keeps the "Fox" at Milford; you cal
. | NJ, N l.. s.Va. ,,J I