Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-08-17

prophetic. sat undisturb-
ed. He looked upon him with a
fiendiSh leer, as the gamester might
be supposed to look upon the vic
tim Of his foul play, already in his
tolls.
Suddenly commotion was heard
near the door, "a young man pres
sed forward, and announced that a
lady was waiting without, who
wished to speak with Squire Smith I;
she had important testimony to give
relating to the case before the Court.
The lady, apparently about forty
five Yeas Of age, was ushered in,
and much agitated took the stand
and, being duly sworn, Justice
Smith soothingIy said My good
woman, please tell the Court what
you know relating to the case now
in hearing.
| had occasion 10 go into Mr..
store this morning. Just as
| was entering the store, ] saw Mr..
- take pair of shears from
the counter, and hastily put them
into pack lying there thinking it
all right-supposing some one had
bought them-I thought no more
Of IT. When | was in the store, the
young man, now charged with steal
ing, came round from the other part
of the store, at the same time put
ting a small bottle in his pocket, buck
led on his pack and passed out
Are you sure asked the Justice,
that this young man and pack are
the very same you saw in the store !"
As sure of il as | am of any
thing that | see with my own eyes
and am sure they don't begin to
fail me yet. Besides, when Mr..
opened the pack, | observed
a small bundle there, and the paper
in which it was done up being torn,
! saw peeping out very pretty
piece Of lilac colored silk
THIS piece of testimony was con-
elusive. Jacob was instantly dis
charged, amid the reiterated shouts
and acclamations of those present.
Having somewhat recovered from
the joyful shock produced by this
remarkable change of affairs in his
favor, Jacob exclaimed Thank
Heaven, my good mother was right
when she said fear not my son,
God ciHProride a nay ~
Before leaving the village, Jacob
was repeatedly urged TO prosecute
-- for perjury but he invaria-
bly, exclaimed No it would look
like revenge. Poor man from my
soul | pity him. The Cravings Of
a guilty conscience will harrass him
day by day, and the ghosts Of his
bad deeds will haunt him by night.
Two days after being tried Jacob
reached home. He Immediately
paid off Deacon Grimes, and mar
ried Sarah Westerly, all in due
course of time.
More than thirty years have pas
sed away since the foregoing events
transpired. Jacob is yet alive; the
owner of a well cultivated farm
His family of chiIdren-now men
and women--are happily settled a
round him. He is now a leading
member of the Temperance Socle.
ty, and for many years represented
the town in the Legislature. His
mother still lives, and resides with
him, in a green old age one bright
ray of the setting sun still lingering
on her declining years.
In the commemorative of that re-
markablc incident in his life, which
we have attempted to record in tins
simple story-Jacob Wilcox has
caused TO be painted on the bach
part of the seat OF his two-horst
wagon, green flask bottle surmoun
ted with a pair of shears-lhe whole
enclosed III a wreath Of evergreen
lie styles it his coat Of arms.
The writer of the preceding, re-
ceived from Mr. Wilcox himself
afresh the skeleton Of this story
which he has fleshed up and cloth
ed in simple, and l think, modes
drapery. So endeth the tale of {
Pocket Pistol and Pair of Shears.
OLIVER OLD ScHooL.