Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-12-03


death-like paleness, his eyes dropped al
if they had encountered some terrible
enemy, and his limbs were seized with 8
deep trembling.
My God 7 he exclaimed, in low,
trembling voice tbs he-'tis Rudder !
Rudder = exclaimed the magistrate
starting up. Where p
There 7 exclaimed the miller, point.
ing to Herman.
In an instant the court was in state
of confusion. All started back from
whence Herman stood as if shell had
fallen among them. Some fled but III
another moment, at sign from the mag
istrate, five men, whose official badge
proclaimed their character, suddenly
precipitated themselves upon my late
companion and bore him to the floor.
He made no resistance, and they for
ced him into an adjoining room, where
he was chained hand and foot, and all
the power of defence, even if he felt SO
inclined, taken away from him.
All this had passed so suddenly, that
it seemed to me like dream So sudden
had been the discovery, action and ar
rest, and the consequent excitement at
tending it, that when the door was lock-
ed upon the highwayman, every face in
the court was as pale as ashes. Having
collected my wits, | now advanced tow
ards the desk, and bending over, whisp-
cred few words in the magistrates ear.
A few words in private, sir?' he said
Certainly, sir. Follow me-
He turned TO room towards the left,
into which we entered We seated our
selves, and | gave him a detail of the
events that had transpired, from the mo-
ment | picked up my companion at the
Lergue Inn down to the time we had en-
tered the court few minutes before
The magistrate listened attentively, and
when | finished, said
What, then, was your object in COM
ing here p
To obtain posse of soldiers to 90
back to Sauvergne, and arrest the infa-
nous Innkeeper and his family
And this was Rudder's sole object p
"No. He wished also TO take advant-
age of the pardon offered for the capture
of the Innkeeper. to release himself of
the penalty due his former crimes. He
is now, and has been ever since he left
Prussia, seven years ago, reformed man.
His object in returning to Berse, at the
risk discovery, arrest and punishment,
was to see his aged mother, and carry
her with him to his estate in Picardv,
where he could atone by love and gen
tleness in the future, for the heart burn
ings and miseries be had caused her in
the past. He cares nothing for the re-
ward offered by the King for the capture
of the infamous host of the Sauvergne
Inn and should he receive it, would, |
feel persuaded, turn it all back AS free
gift, into the hands of the magistrate BY
whose sagacity and assistance he was en-
abled to capture the assassins.'
This explanation and appeal, particu
larly the closing clause of the latter, had
the desired effect; for while one touched
his heart the other touched the pocket of
the worthy official, and all promised we'll
The troops shall be ready immediate
ly,' said the magistrate, rising to leave
the room and give the order; 'and will
accompany you myself to the scene, that
| may be enabled to certify to the facts
you have so clearly laid before me. But
you are certain, you say, he added in
whisper the room was dimly lighted,
and thus enabled The worthy official TO
hide his blushes), that If everything
turns out well for him, Rudder will, on
receiving the pardon and reward, be sat
isfed to receive the first, and make IA
present of the latter 2
l will guarantee it to you
Enough We will attend TO it imme-
diately. Meanwhile, while | am engaged
in summoning the troops, and preparing
for our departure, you may go into Rud-
der's room and have a chat with him.
If you feel disposed you may mention to
him the arrangement you have entered
into, in his name, with me, and if he full
ly agrees, You will, on coming out, re-
enter the court with your hat under your
left arm. | will understand the sign, and
depend upon it, everything shall turn out
satisfactorily
We quilted the room, and on re-enter-
ing the court, l passed Immediately into
the chamber in which Herman was con-
fined. l told him of my proposition and
arrangement with the magistrate, and of
the latter's promise that everything