Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-08-25

ma am, he can't escape.''
'<What blessed thing it was you came as
You did. l wouldn't have had him found me
for the world. What should have done if
he bad 20
Jcdedah gazed at his wife with open amaze
ment pictured upon his countenance. He be-
came little sobered by what had transpred,
and was sensible enough to wish himself well
out of the embarrassing position he was in.
"Why, Mrs. Brown" he stammered, ssit's
me-Jedediah !''
ssWhy, the horried wretch, he knows my
name ~ screamed the lady.
.'know your name! Well, 1 rather think
ia ought to know your name, seeing as how
gave it to you.''
''Oh, you wretched man."
SHOW, look here, Mrs. Brown, don't you
come it too strong don't pretend that you
don't know who l am.''
'sHow should l know! Thank goodness,
don't keep company with such as you.
s'Ain't your husband ?''
'sOh, take him away, do-the scandalous
creature.''
:sCome,'' said the officers, grasping him by
either arm, s'you can remain here no longer
come along"
The injured Brown resisted this appeal as
we'll as he washable
s:Oh, of course we're wrong-of course we
are; but never you mind, and come along
with us. and it will be all right
wife, and she knows it,
The officers, however, were not inclined to
credit his words and insisted more strongly
than ever that he should accompany them.
But only by carrying him bodily along could
he be removed.
ssTell 'em they're mistaken in the man,"
implored Jedediah, appealing to his wife,
when he found that he could not otherwise
convince them of the truth. ssTell 'em who
/ am, and they'll let me goD
But that good lady only shrunk back and ut
tered a small scream, as if shocked at what
she heard.
The rage of her husband was redoubled by
this act of perfidiousness.
ssWomanl 80 he vociferated, turning last
look upon the stairs, ssbeware what you do
Don't triie with desperate man. Speak to
these men or your doom is sealed. Youwon't?
Very well; the consequence be upon your
own head. I'll have divorce-I'll seperate
from you; yes, madam, and I'll take the
children Do you hear that, Mrs. Brown
I'll take all the children to my self, and leave
you ruined, destitute, wretched, heart-bro-
ken female being 20
1t didn't occur to the infuriated Brown just
then that he had no children. He had ever
cherished strong hopes, however, OF having
an infinite number of those useful household
ornaments, and his ideas were not as clear, by
any means, as usual.
Before he could utter more. he was upon
the side walk, and the door of the house was
closed and fastened. Mrs. Brown retired eX-
ultingly to her dreams, while Mr.. Brown upon
his arrival at the station house. was thrust ig-
nominiouly into one of the dark cells, and
left to mediate at his leisure upon his humil-
iatiCg position.
When, the next morning, Mr.. Jedediah
Brown made his appearance before the mag
istrate, escorted by his captor of the night
previous, he presented an aspect truly deplo-
rablc. He was not the Jededah Brown of
former times, and it would have puzzled his
nearest friends to recognize him. The work.
ings of his mind, and the liquor he had drank,
had left him in miserable plight.
The Justice, putting on his severest frown.
inquired into the particulars of the caSe.-
Turning to the prisoner he said:
$50 you were caught in the act, were you
We'll, burglary is a serious matter, as you'll
find out. What is your name!''
eBrown,'' replied Jedediah, s'but there is a
mistake.''
.sBrown, eh ?' interrupted the justice, sswel
the names against you /; there have been four
burglaries, not to speak of other crimes, COM
mitted in this district by men of that name,
within the present month ~
ssBut Pm an innocent person; it was in my
own house they arrested me-"
Everybody is innocent that's brought here
of course, But we'll how you stand.
Where is the complainant in the case 20
At this moment lady entered.
ssThere she is" said the policeman.
s:What have you to say in regard to this
man, madam ?'' asked the Judge.
Mrs. Brown did not Immediately reply.
She looked for moment into the face of her
husband, as if astonished and bewildered, and
then she exclaimed:
ssWhy, can it be possible! Is it then real
ly you, Jedediah 20
Then addressing the magistrate, she con-
tinued:
ssI find that it is only my husband, and have
no complaint to make. But it was so late
when he came home last night, and he was so
disguised that was unable to recognize him."
Jedediah Brown said not word. He knew
full we'll how the matter stood, and he felt not
a little shame for the ridiculous part he had
acted. He retired with his wife, very posi-
lively vowing in his own mind never to be
caught in like scrape again.
And that is how he became tee-totaler.