The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-05-05


where the party was holding forth
On our arrival at the house, we asked
for Mr.. James Small and were politely
requested to join the "fcstlve throng,"
where we might meet the gentleman we
sought Declining the invitation, with
many thanks, and regrets at our inabil.
ity to partake Of the hospitality tender.
ed so kindly, We limited urgent business
with Mr.. Small, and begged that he
might be called.
When Jim made his appearance.
which he did bare headed, Joe Hopkins
took him gently aside, and in as de.
precatory tone as it was possible for
him to assume, informed him that he
had been sent TO arrest him.
Arrest me !" said Jim. "Arrest
me For what would you arrest me 2"
BE quiet, my friend" said Hopkins,
and 90 along with us peaccably, or
shall be forced to use these, displaying
the haud.cuis,) which, | assure you.
would wound my feelings more sorely,
perhaps, than your own Go quietly
with US and perhaps tomorrow you may
be admitted to bail"
But what am | accused of? What
have | done p queried jim. "What
is the charge against me ?"
Passing counterfeit money" an
swered Hopkins.
=" Passing counterfeit money 70 said
the amazed jim ..What counterfeit
money! Who did l pass it on ?"
"On Smith, this evening" said Hop.
kins. " And grieve to say"
On Smith Oh, now understand
it," turning to me. why, Smith, my
dear fellow, that was all joke, (you
mean the five dollar piece, Of course, }
joke, my dear boy, done to rig you about
discovering bogus money"
Assuming very dignifed and dis.
tant air, | said: "Alr. Small, if this
had been a small joke | could have af
forded to pass it over, for 4 small joke,
like small beer, is simply contemptiblc.
But this, sir has no appearance of
joke. There is a principle involved
here, which does only touch me, or my
purse; but sir, principle that reaches
every honest citizen principle, sir
that as law.abidng citizen, | dare not
see infringed, and screen the violation.
Mr.. Small, l would gltdly believe this
a joke, but, SIR, your course has been
such as to preclude such conclusion
for Instead of enjoying your joke, after
you had passed the money on me, YOU
allow hours to pass without explaining
yourself to that effect If your iutcn.
ton had only been to play joke, the
moment you received genuine money
aud my goods in exchange for your
spurious coin, would have been the ap-
Propriate time for any merriment at my
expense. Had you done this, sir, /
should have understood the matter as IL
joke and acknowledged myself entrap,
ped But, sir, how should | have felt
if had passed that coin to another,
and found myself, as you are, arrested,
and with the prospects of a penitentiary
before me ! Mr.. Small, the law must
take its course, | have started it in mo.
tod, on what considered good aud
sufficient grounds, and cannot consent
to interfere with its supremacy"
For Heavens sake, Smith" pleaded
the poor fellow, "do not disgrace me
think of my poor parents, of my broth.
ers and sisters, and Of others who would
be involved in my ruin. You cannot
believe that could be guilty of fraud
| can prove to your satisfaction that
only intended harmless joke. can
prove this, by dozen of our compan.
panions, many of them your friends"
Il have no doubt, sir" said | s'that
you have companions who will vouch
for anything you may instruct them in
or hint at; but this will not serve your
purpose, The evidence | have in hand
is too conclusive to admit of doubt
concerning your guilt. Constable, do
your duty"
Poor Jim, seeing that l was s,eeled
to all argument, stepped into the house
accompanied by Hopkins) and made
an excuse Tor what he promised should
be short absence.
on his return from the house, we
took our way down the street, inform.
ing him that it would be necessary for
us to call in at the alderman's Office ere
we lodged him in the Jail for the night.
As we were passing the tavern Phil.
lips suggested that it would be as well
for us all to take drink, as he felt re-
markably thirsty. to which we all con.
scnted, poor Jim by silence. In the