Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-06-22
MISCEILANY Y.
Original Story written for the Bellows Falls Timei
LuciUS and Lilibel.

CHAPTER V.

Nhen Luclus Randall had continued his
fruitess search for his sister until very late
in the autumn, he was one day surprised
by the appearance of an officer from New
York, who, coming up to him said, " Sir,
you are my prisonerl"
"What is my offense ?" asked Lucius,
conscious of his innocence.
Don't know l s'pose ? replied Sheriff
Wilkins. well, can tell you You are
charged with having passed counterfeit
money"
"It is false; utterly falset" exclaimed
Lucius.
Expected you'd say SO. People always
do, but it happens in this case that we have
abundant evidence to the contrary. You
gave my son six five dollar bills, all coun-
terfeit."
81 do not know your son, and besides 1
haver't been In the city for long time"
"Very well. 1t was here in this town
that my son took the bills of you. But
see you have a watch there :" added Mr..
wilkins smiling.
Yes sir " answered Lucius promptly.
"I bought it a few days since, of Mr..
Walters"
You did, Ell? Let's see it" and taking
the watch he slowly opened it TO the inside,
then exclaimed, f" There, Mr.. Randall, we
have all the proof against you we could
WISH Here is my sons name, j. Wilkins,
distinctly marked; and further, he has in
his possession the old watch once belonging
to you, with your initials on the outside of
the case. Now will you dare say you are
innocent, when you know, and we all know
that you traded watches with my son and
gave him the silver one, and the thirty dol
lars in counterfeit for this one? {? Tell me 4"
1t is not true, sir am surely inno-
centl " exclaimed Lucius. never owned
a watch before this one. have told you
where this was obtained. and if you cannot
believe my word, then take me and do what
| you will with me. shall have the sweet
Joy of knowing that am innocent through
all :" and then overwhelmed by the thought
of the apparent evidence against him, he
was silent.
Wilkins proceeded with his prisoner 70
New York, and delivered him up to the au-
thorities where he was to be tried, yes, and
perhaps be condemned, and thus bring a
double bereavement on the hearts of his
dear parents. This to him was the bitter
est part of his grief, and he resolved it
should never be, and ere the third day had
passed he had planned way of escape
which hazardous as it might seem, he re.
solved to attempt.
He was kept in private house, on the
third floor, and always locked into his room
but his keepers allowed themselves to sleeI
all through the night without going neal
him. OF this he was aware, and laid hi
plans accordingly. One night, when al
save himself were locked in slumber, h,
carefully unloossed the BEDFORD, and fasten
ing each end in his room, he dropped th,
remainder out of the window, and thei
slowly and steadily slid down on the rope
He reached the sidewalk without being dis
covered, and then went TO his afflicted pa
rents, to give them few words of cheer
, assure them of his innocence, and his de
termination TO escape if possible. From
thence he FASTENED to leave the city, an
when morning dawned, and his breakfas
was carried to his room, he was a long wa
up the Hudson.
The next day he was not a little SUI
prised when the boat suddenly stopped
and anotIvr came up, calling ont to kno
. if Lucius Randall was on board. Thi
was sad hour for him life seemed
burden and he felt his head become dizz
and his heart faint, as he was seized an
= placed on the other boat, and rapidly floa
ing down the river, while heavy irons wer
being placed on his wrists and ankles
g You don't look very roguish," said sheri
Timour closely scrutinizing each featur'
while Wilkins fastened the irons on ou
# young friend, and then he continued, Br
. as you have tried once to get away, yo
know we must be sure of our prize tn
time. But cheer up here-how sober yO
look You needn't be frightened; 20
!. shall have good fare while l have the car
Is of you. You see these irons are loose an
will allow you to walk around on the boz
all you wish"
"You are very kind" said Lucius, tryin
!, to smile, but his emotions overpowered hin
and single tear stole noiselessly down h
cheek. That night there was a terrib
thunderstorm, the last of the season. I'll
black, frowning clouds began to appear
the west just before sunset, aud as the
- grew thicker, heavier and darker, and q
low rumbling of distant thunder was hear
IS some of the passengers begged the Ca
tain TO allow them to go on shore, but