The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-08-28

excited Of the three, INDUCED in some equally
sensible remarks.
Meanwhile Joe Ferris, who was the man
that had taken the young Smiths place in
the granary, and gave It up in turn 10 the
elder Smith, went home BY circuitous
route, wondering by what strange accident
he happened to be caught and congratulating
himself on his escape. lie had reached the
door, when hearing his name called by some
body in the road. he turned round and saw
three men going by.
| "Joe Ferris, - this YOU 7" cried the voice
Of the younger Smith. "Come. IL YOU are
ready. I've got Bill Hodge aud Mr.. Blake,
and | think we'll be enough for that one
thief, but the more the merrer, 50 come on.
knew you would 60 in for the fun in spite
OF your headache.
4 Joe was as much in the dark now as when
he was locked up in the granary; bul he Gun.
cluded it would be best tn put bold face on
the matter. and accompany Increase, aud 50
he declared himself ready, and jumped over
the fence. At first he was afraid Of commit.
ing himself, but the conversation show.
ing him, as he thought, exactly how the
ground lay, he laughed heartily at the queer
manner in which the thief was caught, and
volunteered TO be the first to enter the gran
AIRY where he was confined, al the same time
chuckling joyously at the younger Smitb'.
dismay on finding, instead OF the thief, his
own father under lock and key.
With great glee the men proceeded al
once to the granary. where Increase propos,
ed leaving his companions TO 90 to the house
for lantern, and see il his father had re-
turned; upon which Joe Ferris laughed all
to himself, and told the younger Smith 10 be
, sure to bring the old man if he was anywher,
to be found.
, Hallow!!" cried Bill Hodge, /" the gran
ary door is open. the thief has broken out"
Increase came back filed with consrerna.
ton, and Joe Ferris was no less surprised.
The strange events Of the night we're in.
volved in deeper mystery than ever, when
the elder Smith, having heard Of the approach
Of Increase and his companions. made hi,
appearance with light.
" HoIlO. neighbor!!" cried Joe, what il
J all this hubbub about: Increase has been
telling US about thieves"
4 :" declare, father" said the youngel
0mius diLti 1bu sHul uc UP, suul up 9
real thief, and left him in my place"
81 know it. your mother told me-" replied
the elder Smith, "and when | came to lei
J you out"
"0h, see all" groaned Increase, "h'
, got away"
.Yes, and shut me up"
How did you get ont?
Why, the thlefs wife had the Kindness
to come and break the lock ~
So saving. the elder Smith beld the lantprr
up to the face OF Ferris, who turned ghastl,
|. white and trembled as il be had been in al
agne it.
The whole affair was now explained. 70 thi
astonlshmeat Of every body IL general, an,
! Of Joe Ferris in particular, who vas too mucl
astonished to make any resistance while H.
crease and his companions we're tying hi,
hands behind him.
] Ferris aud his wife were accommodate,
with lodgings in Mr.. Smiths bonse tia
) night; and on the following day, scare
, having been instituted and all sorts Of good
] found on Joe's premises. they were but
committed TO jail to await their trial
What the sentence was when convicted .
D the crime charged against them, have quit,
forgotten; but il is certain the good peOp
! Of SmilhslIle were troubled nu more wat
! mysterious dlsappearance Of their gplds an
! chatels, and that the Smiths remember. viii
j peculiar satisfaction. tie manifold mistake
committed on Tie night Of their ad,euiar
with the robbers.