Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-23
CHAPTER III.
The REGULATORS.

"Who are on. and wha. do you want
hcre?" demanded tall, dark haired man.
who stood at table directly opposite to
the door at which the peddler entered.
.'Don't you know Isaiah Ke,chum!"
gasped tha, worthy, who was too much
excited 10 answer more than one ques-
ZION at breath.
"Ah, yes, | recollect you now" re-
turned J.owden, whose speech the inter
rup,ion had Gu, short. "Well what do
you wan,!"
IL want my money!" the frightened
merchant almost screamed; for haste,
fear and agitation had left in his mind
but this one idea.
"Nobody here owes you any thing. re-
turned Lowden angrily; and if they did,
this is no, the time to demand II. Clear
out. you d-d gaunt Yankee!" ln an
other moment the poor merchant would
have been forcibly elected without fur
ther opportunity TO relate his misfortune;
for several brawny hands had already
grasped him. Blu, he struggled away,
und, rushing toward Lowden. with the
remnan. Of breath still LETT him, shouted
desperately
"l'm no, dunning any body! I've
been robbed--obbedr'
"That alters The case," said Lowden.
"'rha, alters the case mighsily!" ech-
oed several voices.
"Who robbed you-and when, and
~.l ..f a., le p,apdat / nr.
den. "S,op your Internal gasping. and
tell us what yol mean.
Very incoheren,ly, but still in such
manner as TO enable men of their quick
perceptions to understand him, the agiia-
ted merchan, proceeded to relate how he
had hid his money. how he had observ-
ed man watching him. as he supposed
and-slurring over the reason why he
hac, after ,his. left the deposit, Tor he
saw that Bolton was presen.-how he
had been warned OF danger, which was
so soon realized.
"The man that was watching me-"
he continued. 81 saw passing along east
of the house, not ten minutes ago. and l
think he can be caught yet"
"Who is hel" was demanded by sew
eral voices.
"He called himself Thornton" an
swered Ketchum.
A look of embarrassment went round
the room for, much as they resented
Thornton's refusal to join them, few
were inclined TO credit the charge. In
their state Of excitement, however, but
a slight matter was sufficient TO direct
,he current; and this impulse was given
by Bolton.
"Let US pursue him at once" he sug-
gested. in loud voice; and the motion
was seconded by at least dozen men.
"Hold gentlemen' shouted Tilford,
sprlnging upon bench; '.let us not act
rsshly. There is not man here, who
knows Thornton. that believes him ca
pable Of any such crime; and, for my
part, will no, be party TO course
which l consider high-handed and op-
pressive." ;"
Had this speech come from. Lowden.
his authority might have made i. effect
nal but Tilford was too young man, and
had been among them too short time, to
have much weight. A single voice only
-and that, unfortunately, the voice OF
the youngest man among them, Low
den's son--expressed concurrence in
what he said. The larger part OF the
company hastily donned their arms and
Announcements, and already several were
walking hastily toward the stables. to
mount their horses.
"Currie.'' said Tilford to young Low
den, as they stood together near the sta
bic, making no preparation, 81 don'tlike
this going of half cooked; have pre-.
sentiment tina, harm will come Of it,"
"Thornson never stole that money
ssia Currie decidedly; 'bu. how are we
TO make itappear!" il
They were interrupted by Currie's g
younger brother Of ten years.
"Nellie wants you" he said 10 his
brother, sand she says am 10 stay with
Mr.. Tilford and watch Tom Bolton"
Precisely what was thinking cf,"
exclaimed tho two in breath; but, with.