Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-12-20
THE SEARCH WARRANT.

mere IlVed, not many years ago, 6
wicked weight whose name was joe
Though very poor he eschewed labor, anc
lived by filching from his neighbor. Al
last his neighbors always thought, though
at 1t he was never caught, he'd take if he
could get chance, whatever fell beneath
his glance; and when farmer missed a
hoe or an axe, twas laid to Joe. In fact
they made. him with impunity, scape-
goat for the whole community.
In the same neighborhood there dwelt
an old Dutch farmer, named Van Pelt,
whose wealth enabled him to keep large
herds of cattle and sheep, and often he
| boasted of the latter; no sheep than his
were fatter. Our worthy farmer, though
no gIutton, was partial to fat chops of
mutton. One day, he labored hard and
long, like the nightingale in the song, be-
gan to feel, as we'll he might, the keen
demands Of appetite, he'd eaten nought
from morn till night, and hieing forth he
sought to slay his fattest sheep without
delay. He arrived at the field which he
supposed all safe and snug his flock en-
closed; but though the rest were on the
ground, the fattest one could not be found.
The field produced of grass and clover in
full supply; it was moreover encircled by
high fence, too high for sheep to scale,
and hence he argued, there can be no
doubt, some. hungry thief has been about.
Each circumstance proclaimed it SO, and
who could steal sheep but Joe?
lit was he, I'm sure; I'll bet nv life on
it 7 and he went home and told his wife
on it.
Next day he to the Squire repaired,
and with solemn oath declared his be-
liefthat Joe had got the sheep concealed
about his cot.
TO prove his guilt, dear sir, wish you
would instantly warrant issue, and the
constable and together will search Joe's
cot for my wether.'
The magistrate at once complied, and
with the catchpole at his side, Van Pelt
set forth. They reached the spot, tiny
looking rough bnilt cot, and rudely entered
without knocking. Joe's wife sat darn
ing an old stocking, her feet meanwhile
the cradle rocking. officer, in surly tone,
made at once his business known.
With much surprise the woman listen
ed, while in her eye a tear drop gistened.
Her pride was touched, her color rose,
carnation tinged her cheek and nose, as
she expressed in tones of thunder her
indignation and her wonder. st is to
search my house, then, is it, that I'm in
debted for this visit? You choose your
safest time to come, for if my husband
was at home, Pm very sure you wouldn't
venture with such intent the house to en-
ter. He steal sheep he'd scorn to do it,
and if you told him SO you'd rue it. But
if you can't be satisfied, when you've
rumaged far and wide, proceed at once
as soon as may be, and dom: wake up
my.poor sick baby Then came flood
of tears, then more reconciled, she sang,
or rather sobbed, ditty to her child.
Woman's threat are vain; her tears
have potency to move the spheres. So
thought Van Pelt, whose heart was panied |
to see them flow all unrestrained. To |
leave his comrade in the lurch, alone to
prosecute the search, strongly at first he
felt inclined. He soon, however, changed
his mind, concluding it would be better to
guard the lady, and not let her be by the
abused, who, being to such
scenes more used, seemed with her grief
amused.
Around now they began 10 pry, search
ing the house with careful eye. The
pantry first, turning the button, they look
I'd within but found no mutton; and then
he cellar, garret, hall, bedroom, wood
she'd, oven and all. Their search, how
ever, proved in vain, and they retraced
heir steps again, sure that the places did
lot contain the missing sheep, alive or
jIain.
With head thrust through a broken
light, the woman watched them out of
light. Then stepping TO the cradle took,
md straightway hung upon hook
veil dressed sheep, as fat and fine as ever
empted man to dine.
Joe soon came in, and she related how
licely she the men had cheated, how,
Vhen she saw their steps directed towards
he house, their plans suspected; so, rum I
ling to the pantry shelf, where Joe had
'ut the meat himself, for he the night be-
ore had taken it, and lugged it home and
lyly laid it, she elapped a nightcap on
he sheep, and laid it down as if to sleep !
vithin the cradle, where its form she
overed up to keep it warm, and rocked
nd sung 10 keep it quiet, supposing they
Tould not come nigh it.
This did old Joe's tenderness awaken: