Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-12-30

denly stopped, and the gentleman accompany
ing Daybook thus accosted him
" am extremely sorry to inform you young
man, that you are strongly sussected of commit
ting, what in the language of the law is known
as petit larceny; consequently am under the
dlsagreeable necessity Of intimating to you hat
you are hereby arrested "-exhibiting at the
same time his authority. "My friend here, Mr..
Daybook" he continued, has made oath that
ne 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
Vermont, and in violation of its laws, pair of
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, n pair Of shears was found,
answering the description of those set forth in
the writ. Had thunderbolt exploded at noon
day, with bright sun and no cloud to be seen,
.or any other strange phenomenon exhibited it,
SelsS eeoe ~ s'ooss .se...-ss
confounded or utterly amazed.
lchabod Daybook had for many years been q
trader in the town, and was roputed rich, but
whether his riches were honestly accumulated,
was extremely doubtful. He held mortgages on
many farms in the neighborhood, and was SO
intimately connected with the business of the
region, that he was obsequously courted and
Aattered on account of his wealth, rather than
honored and respected by reason of his good
qualities, whether of mind or heart.
On their way back to the village, Mr.. Day
book thus condoingly addressed Jacob What
a pity it is, that young man like you just set.
ting out in life, and with such fair prospects be-
fore you, should be overtaken in such grev-
GUS fault. wouldn't wish to be hard with you.
or pursue to extermites, seeing it's only your
first offence, which no doubt ii is, and | would
hope it might prove good lesson to you for the
future. This matter can easily be hushed.
Come, now, just pay me fifty dallars, and have
this painful matter-for painful it is to me,
assure you, all settled
Mr.. Daybook, replied Jacob, l know Inot
by what means, or by whose agency these
shares came in my pack. l certainly never put
! thorn A. hoe Jono I
shall abide the result, come veal or come woe
1t shall never be said that the son Of Gabriel
Wilcox paid hush money, to avoid the imputa-
ton of crime, of which he was entirely innocent
They then moved on in silence, soon arrived
back 10 the village, and stopped at the tavern,
where shortly after Jacob was summoned in due
form before Squire Smith, the village Justice.
The news Of the pursuit and arrest, which
had spread abroad, had collected together the
usual number of loungers and do nothngs
generally to be found in the vicinity of country
inn. The examination proceeded The com.
planant stated briefly, distinctly, and with an
air of one familiar with such proceedings, the
fact Of Jacobs coming TO his store that morning
-gettiug his bottle filled--the shares lying on
the counler - ss.sz
, sing them Immediately after his departure thai
no other person came into the store or was there
! during the time. The constable testified to the
manner of the arrest; the finding of the shares
in Jacobs pack, and also to his asseverations oi
innocence.
Here, then, was chain of circumstances
plain, simple, and not to be gainsayed.
Al this point The Justice, turning to Jacob, as
ked him what he had to offer, why he should moi
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 against me; judge
: not according to appearances, but Judge righteous
= judgement An internal plot has been laid tc
rob me of my good name, ,and'-clenching his
e huge fist, and slowly extending his long muscu
lar arm in the direction of the complainant
!, thou Ichabod DaybOOk, art the man!
e For moment, breathless silence reigned ir
8 the room This sudden outburst of Jacot
6 seemed almost prophetic. Daybook sat undis
d turbeG He looked upon him with liendist
:. err, as the gamestcr might be supposed to lool
j. upon The victim of his foul play, already in hi
i tolls.
e Suddenly commotion was heard near tn
{ door, young man pressed forward, and an
), nouDced that lady was waiting without, VIII
" wished to speak with Squire Smith she ha
o. important testimony to give relating to the cas-
d before the Court. The lady, apparently abou
IS forty five years of age, was ushered in, an
n much agitaed took the stand; and, being dul
id sworn. Justice Smith soothingly sad My goo
e woman, please tell the Court what you know re
ating to the case now in hearing.
n Il had occasion to 60 into Mr.. Daybook
store this morning. Just as was entering tn
~ store, | saw Mr.. Daybook take pair of shea
)? from the counter, and hastily put them into
c. pack lying there thinking it all right-suppt
n sing some one had bought them-I thought I
70, more of it. When was in the store the youn
lg man. now charged with stealing, came rouT
We from the other part of the store, at the san
time putting small bottle in his pocket, buckle
It's on his pack and passed OUT
ly Are you sure, asked the Justice, that th
We young man and pack, are the very same you sa
IS in the store !?
ng 'As sure of il as | am of any thing that | sc
ad with my own eyes; and am sure they don
ut begin to fail me vet. Besides, when Mr. Da!
to book opened the pack, observed small bund
d. there, and the paper in which it was done U
a being torn, saw peepng out very pretty pieC
\, e Iloa oolo,oJ s;I-