The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-08-04
VOLUME III-NUMBER Is.
Gclcftr0.
RETREBUTIVE JUSTICE.

In the winter of IL, John Stevos,
townsman of Pont de-Vaux, returning
from one of the manufacturing towns,
entered the village in the dusk Of eve
ming. In the morning, the usual in
quiries were made for him by his friends,
when it was found that his family were
ignorant even of his return. They be-
came alarmed for his safety-the disor-
dered hustle of search began; and his
mysterious disappearance furnished an
excellent and prolific theme for COM
ment, wonder, and suspicion. The lat
ter originated in general impression
that he had money; and as every little
town is blessed with some people who
know everything, it was intimated, with
many oracular holdings and shakings of
the head, which meant more than |
have leisure to explain, that the life had
been taken to prevent any unpleasant
inquiries about the booty.
But the honest anxiety of the few was
not to be entirely disappointed, nor the
praiseworthy curiosity of the many
disobligingly bafled, by an obstinate
secret, for at short distance from the
place where he was last seen, appeared
evidence of his fate, confirming the worst
conjectures. The ground, much trod-
den, as if engaged in mortal struggle,
had in spots assumed that fatal color of
which robbers and murderers have such
legitimate dread. Near the scene Of
conflict was found hedge-bill, partially
covered with earth, upon the blade of
which some hairs were sticking, matted
with dirt. 1t was evident the murderer
had not Immediately accomplished his
work, for the victim seemed to have
partly staggered, partly dragged himself
a few feet further, when the loss of
blood, by which his progress was indi-
Gated, and the violence of the injury,
had probably compelled him to lie down
and die. There wanted not the agency
of Solomon to resolve the disappearance
of the body. The property of the
hedge-bill, the only visible means of
detection, and which for once presented
no charms to the spirit of avarice, could
not be esta blished- everybody either
had their own hcdge-bill, or they never
had any at all-and the affair passed
over, as do all others of a similar cha
racter, where, however strong may be
the prcsumptions of suspicion, that COM
modify whereof upon such occasions, a
liberal and gratuitous distribution, is
never lacked, there is wanting that moral
conviction, founded on proof, without
which there is no payment of the penalty
of crime.
Six months had elapsed since the
enactment of the foregoing tragedy, and
its record was supposed to be registered
no where but in the tablets of oblivion,
when one day, the Brigade of the Mar
shalship of DeBoung drew up before the
door of Jean Cape. In the next mo-
ment the house was surrounded, and an
officer entered with a party of gems
d'armes. The terrified inmates, ex'
cept Cape, attempted to escape, but the
bristling of dozen bayonets at every
door, evinced decided objection in the
officer, to any such precipitate move
ments.
"Is your riamc Jean Cape 7" said he
to his unwilling host. Z" What right
have you to ask 7" answered he of the
tiles, 4" and what is the meaning of an
liutrusion"-s" Lab !" said his interro-
gator interrupting him, 81 did not
come here to answer questions, or to be
tired to death with long story-l ask
you if your name is Jean Cape :" " And
>" said Cape. "Now what the deyl
who wants to be entertained with your
conversation :" continued the catechist,
again cutting him short, and interrupt
ing himself at the same time, "Can't
you answer in one word, yes or no
Silence gives consent" he added, wait
ling but an instant for what, from the
livery judicious and reasonable method he
adopted to arrive at his object, he seemed