The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-08
BIDDEFORD, MAINE, FRIDAY NJ

yers in the land could not save you frol
conviction
Oh my God = he exclaimed despairingly
II thought 80 from the commencement.
You are young remarked.
Not young enough to outliye this dis
gIace, he remarked with emotion.
You have legs, continued.
YES
'Yes.'
'Well, Isee no reason why you shoul,
not use them now 1 suggested, with stres
upon the last adyerb.
lie understood mo then. never saw th
expression of countenance change NOR
suddenly. JOY beamed in every iea:ur
which u moment before was clouded will
dependency Leaning forward he whisper
cd softly in my eur the name and place o.
his abode. The next moment he lcape,
from the steps Of Che City Hall, and BOUNDED
away across the Park, with the swiltness o
an antelope.
stood still till he had made forty or fifty
yards, then turned about and walked towart
the bar, jingling my two half eagles with al
air of dissatisfaction. All eyes were i'm
mediately turned towards the door, each oh
server expecting to SEQ the prisoner ut my
heels. But very soon it became evident thai
he had gone in another direction. There
was u sudden sensation throughout the mul
titudc.
Where is the prisoner p demanded tn,
District Attorney, starting TO his feet, pal,
with raya and dis,nnointn,.pt
II do not know, replied carclessly, con
tinuing to jingle my hall-eagles : i am moi
the Sheriff.
But 1t did not require this remark to re-
mind the court-olliccrs Of their neglect oI
duty. One of them had already started in
pursuit, followed by half dozen special
deputies, and score OF young men, who
ioined in the pursuit from u mere love of ex.
citement.
IN few moments the court room was al.
most entirely deserted, for it was furlong
and upwards to the lower end of the Park,
and the entire distance lay in full view Of
the court room entrance. The scene was
new to most of the spectators. II is not oft.
en- we hear the hue and cry, or see u uman
being hunted like beast Of prey. The cx-
citement was most intense.
But the prisoner had the start, and fled
for liberty. Withal no was sure and swift
of foot. And though several of the pursu.
ers turned aside into thccross streets, hoping
to intercept him in his course, he succeeded
in gaining the Washington Market, where
he was almost Immediately lost in the crowd
The pursuit was continued till night, but nc
trs,cn Of tha iv. ,r,s 1iS,nvarnI
Meanwhile. the District Attorney moved
the court to hold me for punishment, on the
charge of aiding prisoner to escape.
The judge said he would take the matter
under consideration, and directed ne to be
present at the opening Of the morning sos.
sion.
+ ther Miles, hearing the chnk of my
half-eaglcs, volunteered his services in my
yndicitiOn.
You arc man after my own heart,' he
raid, with a smile of congrtulation.
In strait 2 1 replied interrogatively.
Carvillc. I'll save you if it costs Inc n
thousand dollars SAID tho old man with u
warmth Of manner that could not be misun.
derstoOd.
But here the matter ended for, immc-
diatcly ON tho adjournment of the court. the
crowd seized me hand and foot, and lifting
me above their heads carried me about the
Park triumphant. Nor did they stop with
this mark OF their approbation. The Dis
rict Attorney was informed that il he refer
ed to the matter again. 1t would bc at the
risk OF being ridden on rail and receive u
coat of tar and feathers. II was not likely
L.. Ia. H., A
but as popularity was the foremost desire
OF his heart. he swallowed his chagrin, and
affected to regard it us capital joke. From
that time forward, SO long US remained in
active practise at the bar, / had criminal
practice in abundance /, though the sheriff
took good care never to entrust prisoner to
my keeping, and the District Attorney never
to oppose request OF time to confer with a
client.
Four or five years afterwards, when. travel.
ling through the Southern States, among the
iirst persons encountered m the Old DO.
miniOn, was my quondom friend, John Smith,
We were rejoiced to meet each other and
have been ever since, and hope will ever,
remain devoted friends.
But there he is known by the name which
he whispered in my ear on the steps of the
City Hall, in which we first became acquaint'
ed. need not give 1t now, rs it would add
little interest to these pages though it Idit
Iwonld detract nothing from the honorable
position which he at present occupies; for
shortly after his escape, it was ascerta ined
that tho bills, supposed to be counterfeit
were really genuine, and were returned Il
him by mail us soon US the fact was discov'
cred.