The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-11-03

as l brought up some strong point
of rascality, 1 would turn my eyes upon
the prisoners, and must admit that, even
then, with oil the zeal of my cause to fire
my soul, could not help shuddering at
the glance which Job Hilbrand gave me-
1t was not look of hate, nor of anger;
but it was an expression of malevolent,
demoniac triumph, which seemed to imply
that he was perfectly satisfied was hav-
ing my own way now-he would have his
in good time. iaHo7 ~ fIi s''; Z. g
The result Of the trial was just what
every body had known it would he. The
prisoners were fully committed to await
the action of the grand jury. As. l arose
to my feet saw Gilbrand beckon to me
with his finger. went to him., and he
whispered in my car -" ~
'I1l have your life as sure as there is q
( God in hsaven! There aint prison on
Fearth strong enough to keep nae from
you'll s..'r. a' le ag' IN
The manner of his speaking startled me
some, but looked upon it as anidle threat
mot that he might not have the will to
dothe deed, but / did not believe he would
have the power Still I saw the jailer,
and hinted to him that be had better look
rather more carefully after these prisoners
than was usual with him, for they were
old jail birds, and up to all the tricks of
evading bolts and bars and stone wallis
He told me need be under no apprehen.
-.SA H. i
in pla from which no mortal man could
run away.
I went about my usual business, and
two weeks had passed from the time of the
trial before our Justices court, The ex-
citement consequent upon the arrest of the
! horse-thieyes had mostly died out, and
people let their horses run without fear of
having them stolen. One evening, just
as was leaving my office, . man came up
and Informed me that the horse-thieyes
had made their escape. They had left the
jail sometime duriag the. previous night,
and all day various parties had been in
search of them, but without effect. The
villains had contrived to remove the heavy
stone sill into which the iron bars of win
1 dow were fixed; the cement having been
displaced by some iron instrument which
they had adroitly concealed about them
| asked if any traces. had been found Of
them, and my informant told me. that two
j men, answering to their description, had
been seen, about ten miles of, that morn.
ing, making towards the sea.coast. r,
= 3
/ had been away all day on bushes
and had just returned, when. this informa
ton was given me, or should have heari
! of it before. However, L knew that every
possible means were being employed te
$ to recaptnre the rascals, and went hom,
with strong hopes that they might ye
, make the acquaintance of our superio
, court. AT first the thought occurred t.
me that Gilbrand might make an effort t.
!. carry out the bloody purpose he had sworl
!, against me, but | was not under mucl
= apprehension, for 1 did not, think he " ealt
risk his own neck. / believed he had plac
ed as great q distance as possible betwee1
me and himself and that he would, no
: again visit our town except upon compul
Y sion, ana al.,c,, r,s5t ,7c. f.as r., leo
My wife had heard of the escape of tn
two risoners, but she kaew nothing of th
: threat which had been made against me
: | did not tell her of it at the time, for
!, > feared she might worry over it, and c
course / meaut that it should be KEEP
. from her now. Ny house was near tn
! center oflthe village but some way bac1
. from the main street. upon q gentle emi
= nence, and surrounded by trees, my garde
and yard separating it entirely from othe
buildings. u1ls 7s4a sd tsrlsass aas sd
f During the evening 1 thought the mat
ter over, and finally made up my min
: that the idea Of Job Gilbrand's coming t
e put his threat into execution was simpl
n ridiculous. / knew-I knew very we'll
: that he had just the will aud disposition
d to do it, and / believe that it would hav
!. afforded him sincere satisfaction to pu
9 a knife to my heart; but did not believ
: he would risk his own life, under presen
r circumstances. for any such purpose. Yet
!. when went up to my chamber examin
O led the pistol which lay in my bureau draw
e er. My business, as collecting agent 70
o several heavy houses in distant parts q
the country, required that I should q
e some times have large sums of money
!. me, aud as many people are aware of thi
) fact / knew that my premises nigh hol
: out golden inducements to daring burglars
r so had, some two years before, purchas
d ed good revolver, which I had kept load
II ed in my chamber. / never supposed
N should shoot anybody; but in case shoul
r hear the footsteps of intruders at night ur
81 bon my premises. I should not only feel safe
y with such weapon, but the possession {
s. 'six-shooter" gives man wonderfr
I advantage in an argument under such cil
d cumstances. He can persuade an interle
is per to leave when mere words might b
3: Intellectual, s,,.i a5zss qfia4-.g 80
l; On the present occasion I thought
o would just examine my pistol, to see if
% waS oil ripht fur fhoro x.oo +, a Loon;,,