The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-02-13
WHOLE NO. 226.
"Why should you care. Caroline? Hu.
bert Clayton instigatcd it; he is dear
friend of YOURS"

bert Clayton instigatcd it; he is dea,
friend Of yours"
"Oh, hate him r. she cried passionately
~ thought you liked him, Caroline. l.
there any one dearcr to your"
| She hid her face in her hand, when thu
clatter Of horses hoof was heard unde,
the window, and she started up in the
wildst alarm.
"Oh, go, go! if you can! But it is too
late Oh, what, what shall do!'
Zone moment, Caroline. If go away
now, when my innocence is proved, as il
soon will be, may come again and claim,
this dear hand as mines Will Caroline,
whom have long loved, give herself to me
For, that she would make true, courageous
loving little wife, the events of this night
have proved. Consider well, my darling.
Hubert Clayton. is rich. You must have
already suspected my poverty" ..l
II love only you. I will be yours when
you come. Only CO." "
Not till have soothed mv frightened
dove. Be calm, darling, I shall not leave
you. Do you not sec that it would be i'm.
possible to escape now, unseen; " hile the
very fact Of attempting It would imply
guilt. Besides, have docum nts with me
which will easily prove my innocence
What-treinbling yet! Why you forgot
the pistol, love. What brave little hero
inc this is. Little tcmptreSs, too, IL place
such wicked little article as this is in my
hand, which If its contents had happened to
lodge in some poor unfortunate's brains,
would have brought me up on rather more
serious charge than this. Caroline, dearest.
sweetest, wisest, best, that pale face and
those heavy eyes 60 to my heart Will you
in the least dangcr-a short det. ntion at the
utmost-and go to your room ard try to
sleep. will keep watch outside your door
and if there is tn, least alarm, propose to
speak to you. Will you not trust me p
You know some day-perhaps nearer than
you now imagine am to have the whole
charge Of you. Goodnight, my Caroline
my precious one"
The next morning farmer Faulkner rub
he'd his eyes as if doubling his vision, when
about half dozen men. accompanied by
two officers, entered. They claimed in be.
half Of the Commonwealth, one John Smith
as their prisoner. lie presented himself,
and stood calm and collected, while they
awaited the appearance Of the high sheriff
and the warden of the prison. They came
directly. The former spoke:
Good morning, gentlemen; I understand
you have an escaped convict-a hardened
criminal in detention. Your zeal merits
r-al praise. All, John you here? Glad
to see you. Father and mother well, eh ?''
he said, in the familiar tone OF friendship,
and shaking Mr.. Smiths hand heartily
But must to business first, then Shall
take you home with me- By the way,
where is the fellowy Bring him hthcr."
II await your commands" said Smith,
with demure smile.
The sheriff stood thundcrstruck, then
burst into a hearty laugh.
"You don't mean to say that have got
out Of comfortable bed and come all this
distance to convict the son Of an old friend
whom have known from his cradle p
That's rich! wonder what the Governor
would say to hear that his son is an escaped
convicty Ha! ha! ha! What mad prank
have you been playing, John? When you left
US few months ago, thought you were
going Immediately to open an office in the
city.
During that speech the accuserS looked
ut each other in di>nay; and ut the con.
clusion, one after another crept away in dire
confusion. A chaise was seen dashing
turiously down the hill. 1t contained the
old and young squire. ..
The family were left alone, with the ex-
ception Of the high sheriff.
The good farmer looked triumphant and
excited, as he brought down his heavy fists
upon the table, exclaiming: II told them
SO, the rascalS ~
The sheriff shook the honest farmers
hands heartily.
by the way, you young scapcgrace, you
haven't explained. What have you been
about, to raise such commotiony The
talented John Smith Coleridge, only son of
his Excellency, the Governor Of this Com
monwealth, shouldn't be committing mad
exploits" ...-.... ...........
"Only doing, sir, what Jacob did for
Rachel-serving for my BRIDE" returned
the yonng man, leading forward the now
happy and smiling Caroline. .
"Nhew! Well, really John, you might
have improved your time worse.
| approve of young mans losing his
heart, provided he will lose it to one who
will take good care of it. This young lady
will take faithful care, or else am no Judge
Of countenance,' looking keenly into the
modest, ingenious face Of Caroline. "You
have my best wishes, John, and this young
lady. also, for your future welded happi-
ness"