The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1854-04-12
CHAPTER ".
POETICAL JUSTICE.

PoETIClL JUSTICE. HIi..-
But another difficulty arose. There was
probably not more than one of the
company who was no, fully convinced Of
Thornlon's guilt. In their excitement
which, with the majority oflhem, had been
inAamed by spirils--lhey were will ng to
proceed TO extreme measures, but, while
Witnesses might be had, their notions of le
gal procedure, vague as they were rendered
each one unwilling, individually, to assume
The responsibility, by striking the first
blow. Perhaps another consideration had
some weight. Few, if any, were willing
to lake Thornlon's life; and there was a
deadly GOODNESS in the manner Of his warn
ing, which made each pause, if not retreat
before incurring an uudying hatred, which
could be quenched only in blood. An
awkward silence rnsued, in which each
man looked into his neighbor's face. and
irrsoluiion began 10 sap their courage. One
or two commenced limidly to suggest that
perhaps after all, they had better proceed
to Lowden's, when Bolton broke furiously
in, with blasphemous imprecation, which
we do moi care To write.
"Are you al. turned cowardly" he ex
claimed, 'pringing 10 his feet. 'l'll do i
my self, ihen-since you are afraidW 90 y
He seized long hickory withe which
had been cut and trimmed Tor the purpose
and, advancing toward Thornton, with
this up lifted in the act Of striking, insolent
ly demanded ."'' .... DID. ''..a
"Will you confess, you ihieving Scoun
drell" .. .t.. ........- =.
Thornton turned his head so as TO lool
him full in the face.
"Bulion," he said, with the same cool
ness as before, "you have i, in your powe
il these men will allow themselves to b,
governed by you, to work your will 70
the present. But | warn you now, tha
you must either take my life or lose you
own" f. .f .
In the pause which ensued, while Bol
ton held the witbe suspended in the al
Tilford, who lay with his ear to the groun
heard, al distance, the clatter Of hool
upon the road Quick as thought he in
terposed, 10 gain time, H.
"BoltOn," he hastily called, "before 20
strike, let me make charge against 20,
Regulators" he continued, 'ihis none
was stolen by Bolton himself, and he
only directing suspicionto to another, in oI
der that he may escape it. If you WI
force him 10 wait ten minutes, il shall b
proven here" ,n...f r.,..v ..
The accusation was well timed, thong
made, SO far as 'riIGord knew, without ev
dence. As,onishment suspended the bio
tor a moment, until reflection showed III
furious leader that he had now no alIerni
tive but 10 submit at least for the ten mir
ules. Several of the cooler men now i,
lerfered, willing TO see The proceeding
rested in anyway, bu, incredulous OF III
ford's charge. Bolton burst into a lot
effective laugh, thus covering his imfo'e
, rage. But his cheek blanched, and Il
loud words Of defiance sunk back into h
, throat, when, upon the noise dying ava
. the galloping Of several horses was hea
! Immediately a, hand: The next nome
! Nellie Lowden, with her two broth rs al
. the pedlar, dashed within the circle Of lig
/, and springing hastily 10 The ground, poi
s ted TO Bolton and exclaimed-- ,' st
"Atrest this mani accuse him Of re
beryn .... .,. .U ..t
/ "You are my prisoner" said Curr
q laying his hand upon his shoulder at
9 same moment. asl"l.-- i''. ~.
The discontinued rullian aimed a BIZ
!. at Currie's head but his arm was seiS
I. from the other side, and'a few nome
d suiIiced 10 bind him as securely as he, j
IL bound Thornton. Nellie stood watch
Il the process, her fine 6ngre dilaiiug in
lurid light Of The fire, and hercyes fash
e with the reused spirit within. cf
}. "Now where Is 'Thorntonl" she dem
8 ded In voice which rang through
silent forest like silver bell. 2e-
q, Some Of the Regulators had already
: leased him, and, having resumed
o. clothes, he stepped forward into the llI
Nelie's fierce spirit melted away--wil
"