The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-12
So painted his picture. A young man

inquire their business tney uFesseu wei,
made large bills and paid promptly. At
an unguarded hour, when he was insane
with liquor, they urged upon him he de-
waited from the path of rectitude. me
demon alcohol reigned in his brain, and 1t
was his first offence. Mercy pleaded Tor
another chance to save him from ruin.
Justice did not require that his young wife
should 90 down sorrowing to the grave,
and that the shadow and taunt of felon
father should cross the path of that sweet
child. o how earnestly did I plead for
them! The woman wept; the husband
did the same the jury looked melting.
If could have had the closing speech, ne
would have been cleared; but the prose-
cutiou had the close, and threw ice on the
fire kindled. But they did not quite put
it out.
The Judge charged according to law and
evidence, but evidently leaned on the sac
Of mercy. The jury found verdict OF
guilty, but unanimously recommended tae
prisoner to the mercy of the court. my
client was sentenced to the shortest lmpri-
sonment the court was empowered TO give
and both iury and court signed petition
IA the Governor for an unconditional par
don which has since been kindly granted,
hnt NOT before the following interesting In
cident occurred:
Some three months after this, | received
an account for collection from wholesale
bouse in New York. The parties to col
lect from were hard ones; but they mad
nropertv, and before they had an idea OF
the trap laid, I had the property, which
thew we're about to assign, before they
broke. under attachment. Finding that
was neck ahead and bound to win, they
"caved in" and forked over S3,594.l9 (per
memorandum book in good money. They
lived in Shawncctown, about thirty-hVe or
forty miles southeast of Moore's prairie. l
received the funds just after the bank
opened, but other business detained me
until after dinner. then started for G,
intending to go as far as the village OF
Mount Vernon that night.
/ had gone along ten or twelve miles,
when noticed a splendid team of horses
attached to a light wagon, in which were
seated four men, evidently Of the high
strung order. They swept past me as if to
show me how easily they could do it. They
shortened in, and allowed me to come up
with them, and asked me to "wet," or, in
other words, diminish the jug of old rye
they had aboard; but l excused myself
with the plea that l had plenty on board,
They asked me how far was going. I told
them as far as Mount Vernon, if my horse
didn't tire out. They mentioned plea
SAINT tavern ten or twelve miles ahead as a
nice stopping place, and drove on.
/ did not like the looks Of those fellows,
nor their actions. But was bound to 60
ahead. l had brace Of revolvers and
a nice knife my money was in belt
around my body. I drove slow, in hopes
that they would 60 on, and should see
them no more. 1t was nearly dark when
! saw the tavern sign ahead. At the same
time I saw their wagon before the door.
would have passed on, but my horse
needed rest. l hauled up, and woman
came to the door. She turned as pale as
sheet when she saw me. She did not
speak, but with a meaning look she put
her finger on her lips, and beckoned me to
come in. She was the wife OF my client.
When I entered, the party recognized
me, and hailed me as an old travelling
friend, and asked me to take drink. l re-
spectfully but firmly declined.
"But you'll drink or 6ght!" said the
noisiest of the party.
"Just as you please drink l shall not ~
said I, purposely showing the butt of a
Colt that kicks six times in rapid success
sion.
The others interposcd and very easily
quoted my opponent. One offered me a
cigar, which | should not have received,
but glance at the woman induced me to
accept it. She advanced aud proilered
me light, and in doing so slipped note
into my hand, which she mnst have written
the moment before; 1t was written with a
pencil. Never shall l forget the words
they we're:
Beware-they are members of the
panr. They mean to rob and murder you
Leave soon, and l will manage to detain
| them"
| did not feel comfortable just tuen, but
tried to look SO.
"Have you any room to put my horse p
I asked, turning 20 the woman.
"What! you are not going to stay here
to.1ight?" asked one Of the men We
are going on
81 think | shall stay" replied.
"We'il all stay, then, guess, and make
night of it," said one Of the cut-throats
"You will have to put up your own
hoss-here's lantern" said the woman.
81 am used to that" said. "Gcntle-
men, excuse me Il will join you in a
drink when l come in"
"Good on your head . more whislley,
old gall" shouted they.
| ,r-oa+ o,,t ooJ vi non1 norop
1t was old fashioned, and Inch pins secured
the wheels. To take out my knife and
pry one from the fore and hind wheels was
! but the work of moment, and | threw
them in the darkness as far as | could. To
unite my horse and dash off was but the
work of an instant. The road lay down a
steep hill, but my lantern lighted me some.
what.
had hardly got under full Roadway be.
fore ! heard yell from the party | had
SO unceremoniously left. / put the whip
to my horse. The next moment they start.
ed. l threw my light away, and left my
horse to pick his way. A moment after
ward | heard a crash-a horrid shrek.
The wheels were off. Then came the rush
Of horses, tearing along with the wreck
of the wagon. Finally they seemed to
fetch up in the woods. One or two shrieks
1 heard as I swept on, leaving them far
behind. For some time l hurried my
horse-you'd better believe Grid" 1t
was a little after midnight when got to
Mount Vernon.
The next day heard that Moore's prairie
team had run away, and two men of the
four had been so badly hurt that their
lives were despaired Of; but did not cry.
Ny clients got the money, but didn't