Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-10-26

which indicated a desire for concealment and
one person even went so far as to say that he
had been observed to kiss her on parting, late
in the evening. Whatever may have been the
truth in that matter, it is, at all events, GER
tain, that Grayson was an unmarried man );
and that the quarrel between the parents Of
the pair in Kentucky had broken up an inti-
macy which bade fair to issue in marriage );
and it is possible that subordinate, if not a
primary motive, inducing him to take posses
sion Of the disputed land, was to be near Han
nah. Nor was his wish without its appro-
pirate justification for, although not strictly
beautiful, Hannah was quite pretty, and what
is better in frontier girl, active, fresh and
rosy. At the time Of Grayson's arrival in the
settlement, she was few months past eigh
teen, and was as fine material fora border wife
as could be found in the new State The
former intimacy was renewed, and before the
end of two months it was agreed that they
should be married, as soon as her fathers
consent could be obtained.
But this was not so easily compassed, for
all this time Elwood had been brooding over
his defeat, and devising WAYS and means of re-
covering the much coveted land.
At length, after many consultations with
fellow named Driscol, who acted as his lieu
tenant in the regulator company-he acceded
to a proposition made long before by that
worthy, but rejected by Elwood on account of
its dishonesty. He only adopted the plan
now because it was apparently the only es-
cape from permanent defeat, and long chafng
under what he considered a grievous wrong,
had made him reckless Of means and deter
mined on success, at whatever cost.
One morning, about week after the taking
Of this resolution, it was announced that one
of Elwood's horses had been stolen on the
night before and the regulators were straight
way assembled, to ferret out and punish so
daring an offender.
It happened accidentally, of course,) to be
horse which had cast one of its shoes only
the day before, and this circumstance rendered
1t easy to discover his trail Driscol, FL
woods invaluable lieutenant, discovered the
track, and set off upon it almost as easy as if
he had been present when 1t was made He
led the party away into the prairie towards
the east and though his companions declared
they could see nothing of the trail, truly
somewhat exaggerated expression; for the
color, if not the size, of fhat feature of his
countenance, made it altogether too apparent
to be overlooked.
They followed him, however, convinced by
the earnestness Of his asseverations, if not by
their ewes, until, after going mile towards
the east, he began gradually to verge south
ward, and having wound about at random for
some time, finally took direct course for the
point Of timber on which Grayson lived.
On arriving at the point, which terminated
as usual, in dense hazle thcket, Driscol at
once pushed his way into the covert, and 10
there stood the stolen horse He was tied TO
sapling by halter which was clearly rec
ognized as the property Of Grayson and lead
ing off towards the latter's house were traced
mans footsteps-his, of course
These appearances fully explained the theft,
and there was not man present, who did not
express decided conviction that Grayson was
the thief.
Some one remarked that his boldness was
greater than his shrewdness, else he would
never have kept the horse so near. But Dris-
col declared, dOgmatically, that this was the
smartest thing in the whole business, since, if
the trail could be oblterated, no one would
think Of looking there for a horse stolen only
a mile above. The calculation was good
one, he said. Driscol happened to have re-
markable sharp sight for all tracks, both of
horses and men.
To this proposition, supported by occular
evidence, the regulators assented, and Driscol
stock, previously somewhat depressed by sun
dry good causes, forthwith rose in the regu-
lator market to a respectable premium
Having recovered the stolen property, the
next question which presented itself for their
consideration was, in what way they should
punish the thief To such men as they, this
was not difficult problem without much de-
liberation it was determined that he must be
at once driven from the country The 'days
of grace usually given on such occasions.
were ten, and in pursuance OF this custom, it
was allowed that Grayson should be merci-
fully allowed that length of time in which to
arrange his affairs and set out for new home
or, as the regulators expressed it, make him
self scarce
Driscol, having already, by his prasewor-
thy efforts in the cause of right, made himself
the hero Of the affair, was invested with au-
thority to notify Grayson of this decree. The
matter being thus settled, the corps adjourned
to meet again ten days thereafter, in order to
see that their judgment was duly carried into
effect
Meantime, Driscol, the official mouth-piece
of the self-constituted court of general iuris-
diction, rode away to discharge himself of his
onerous duties. Hating at the low fence
which enclosed the scantY door-yard, he gave
the customary Halo! the houser and pa
tienty awaited an answer
1t was not long, however, before Grayson