The weekly Butte record., 1867-12-28
A LEGISLATIVE HORSE THIEF.
BY OLD BLOCK

Lake, as it was called fran the innumerable guar a.
tity oSaAimaculae and .frosipon,ana in its waters
which could only be rendered drinkable by fltra-
ton, and Colonel Watkns-Colonel Joseph S.
Watkins, for short-and l, agreed to walk on over
the dry dusty plain to that point which it IN
derstood afforded the concomitants of good camp,
and where our trains intended to encamp for the
day. Many long and weary day had We trav-
| eled thus together, and upon my honor, when l
| had the Colonel for a companion, the miles seemed
shorter the way was less weary than when | was
alone or with other company. I've loved several
women-Pshaw don't think because Time is lay
| ing his hand upon my brow, that my heart is of
adamant and can no longer appreciate the charms
of woman's smile, and-I have loved some men in
my he-between you and !, however, the feeling
was somehow leetle different--you know-I can
expain-I loved the Colonel then, and love him
still, and if he is ever candidate-no ma.ter-I'l
show you what III DO for honest man on the
day of election. As usual, we had been spinning
| yarns and the subject of conversation happened to
| turn upon the strange position which men some
! times fall into. Yoa know the Colonel had spent
twenty-one years in the service Of his native Vir
| ginia. Don't draw up yoar face-I don't mean the
Penitentary-but in the Legislature, and for time
was among the most prominent statesmen of the
State. "One Of the most ridiculous positions in
which l ever found myself" said the Colonel, was
! in being taken up for horse thief
| "a horse thief, Colonel, for stealing horse =
only once p
ION my honor, only once" he replied with a
kindred smile.
was applied to. while lived in Richmond, by
Tom NJ. TO endorse note for three thousand
dollars; didn't know much about him personally,
but Us he from good and prominent family,
did not hesitate moment to do it-and he got the
money from the bank. He lived about hundred
| miles from town. l heard nothing from him and
thought nothing about the note, supposng, of
course all was right, till three days before the note
was due, when the cashier told me that NJ had
made no provision for its payment, and in case of
protest they should look to ME for payment. Well,
it pretty short notice short to write to him
and get reply and my only remedy was to get on
to a horse and make the time by hard riding and
return in time to prevent protest. l had fine
yellow horse, a splendid traveller, with light name
and tail, but blind in eye. 1t afternoon.
but | thought that by riding about thirty miles,
and then starting by daylight the following morn
ing, | could reach Ms residence in the evening
Of the second day, and return in time save the
protest, and decided to DO So and accordingly set
out; passing through several settlements on my
way. rode fast as thought my horse could
stand it, and about ten O'Clock reached tavern,
! -.
that wished 10 start before daylight in the morn
ing, that would pay my bill then, and lay down
on bench instead Of going TO bed, and that when
gotready would saddle my horse myself and go
on without disturbing him. With this arrange
meut tcok possession of the bench which, though
not quite as dignifed as that of judges, fatigue
made it quite as comfortable, and was soon sound
asleep. About two o'clock in the morning got up.
sadded my horse. and went on my way rejoicing
as well as a man could With the prospect of paying
three thousand dollars without value received.
1t was shout ten o'clock in the morning, as
afterwards learned, while was honestly plodding
along, that a Sheriff, with posse coHiitGtus rode
up to the inn where stopped, to inquire if they
had seen man pass, riding yellow horse with
horse had been stolen the night before and they
had got on the track of the thief. and he had pass
ed that way.
MY God yes" replied the landlord, "the rascal
staid here last night with the very horse.
thought then there something wrong-he didn't
go to bed at all. but slept on bench. and was of
before daylight this morning; he seemed to be in
terrible hurry
THE very fellow" echoed the Sheriff. "WeTl
have him, boys. Let's be after him Ike light
niug" and, mounting their horses, away they sal
lied after the horse thief.
Well l rode on as fas. is l could totally uncon-
scious of my crime. and with fear of iron bars
to look through. Towards evening came TO a
little town. and inquired of man II met if there
was any hy-road which would take NE across the
country to point named, which was very near
my destination, and which would be nearer than
the way by the road.
He said there was one by which some miles
could be saved; that was 10 ride through the
street. turn down a lane and take trail over the
| hills, etc.
followed the direction, riding as fast I could,
and recolleet seeing a knot Of men before pub
/ lie house. in the town, who called ont to me for
/ something. but l rode on without reply. It was
/ dark when reached pablie house within few
| miles OF Ms residence, when concluded
would stay there through the night, as was very
tired. and ride in to breakfast in the morning.
l went early to bed.
/ in the meantime my pursuers tracked me without
difficulty, and at the town through which passed
they got an accurate description of ny horse and
person, and the direction which had taken and
what corrohorated suspicion to certainty was the
fact Of my taking solitary and bad trail TO avoid
| observation.
II was eleven o'clock at night when the door of
my bedroom was broken open. and was suddenly
aroused from my sleep by the entrance Of a dozen
men, who rushed up, and one of them told me
l must get up. for Twas his prisoner.
"Your prisoner p said 1, rubbing my eyes to
get fairly awake, "What have done What am
arrested for:"
| why responded the Shesif. "for stealisg :