The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-01-19
M j 8 @ @ Ilan @ O u 9.
CRIME AND ITS SEQUEL.

1t was through sheer luck that was
chosen district attorney of remote back
woods district. There was but slender
stock of legal timber to select from, and
small difference in the quality. We were
all in that calluw, downy state in which
it was impossible to tell which of us might
turn out game, and which might prove to
be of the common, barnyard breed. We
might all be chrysaltic Clays or Websters
for aught we knew, or the public either,
or might be destined to plod through in
glorious lives in the humble walks of mis-:
prius.
AS one appears as well as another in the
dark, so it was with us in our obscurity.
1t was not, therefore, because they deemed
me- gifted with any particular fitness for
the post, that the people chose me for their
prosecuting officer. The post had to be
filled, and the lot fell to me, which, ! now
bethink me, was all that needed to be said
by way of introduction to my story.
My district was large, embracing several
counties, in each of which was obliged
to attend court, and, for that purpose, to
take long and frequent journeys.
On one of them, toward approach of
night, found myself in the neighborhood
of an old friends house, to whose hospi-
tality knew l should be welcome. 1t
was ON the opposite side of large river,
but / should doubtless find some settler
with a canoe or other craft, who would
ferry me over.
Stopping at Il cabin at which had tax
en- quarters before, after arranging with
the proprietor to have my horse taken care
of till morning, l inquired as to the best
means of getting over to my friends, where
proposed passing the night.
"Take that path" said the settler !;
s. it'll take you out to Jim Brakes shanty
on the river. He's got dugout, an kin
take you 'crost, an show you the rest O.
the way"
thanked the old man, and followed the
direction given till the path branched into
three. Taking the one which seemed to
lead in the right course, pushed on, for
the shadows were beginning to thicken.
and it was a wild spot to be belated in.
1t wasn't mile, the settler told me, to
the river and Jim Brakes shanty. 1 had
certainly walked twice that without see
ing sign of either. 1t had grown quite
dark, and the conviction was coming over
me that had lost my way, and might be
| forced to pass the night in the woods, in
stead of enjoying the comfort ofmy friends
| treside.
l slackened my pace, hesitating whether
TO go on, or risk finding my way back over
path already become invisible, when a
cracking of bushes ahead, followed by a
| low sound of voices, attracted my attep.
| ton.
Hello!-who goes there called out
one of them.
"A stranger who has lost his way
answered.
More murmuring of voices followed
and then the dim forms of two men ap.
preached.
"Whar be you goin' to ?" one of them
accosted me.
briefly explained the situation.
"Wali, you see, you're considerable Out
o. bearins," the man replied. Jim
Brakes is more'n three miles from here
an you'll never find your way In the dark
However, we've got skift over yonder
an wouldn't mind takin' you 'crost I'm
settin' you in the right way ourselves, e.
you paid US trlfle."
Ell reward you literally and thank
you BESIDES" / returned.
A short walk brought us to the river
where we found a small skiff moored tC
the bank.
Jump in" said one of the men, who
as obeyed, sprang in after me aud ship
ped the oars, while the other united the
rope and followed.
The boat shot out from the shore, ant
no words were exchanged during the pas
sage, except question aud answer be
tween the oarsman and myself
"Ken you Vim, stranger ?" he asked.
Not II stroke" replied.
"And now what shall / pay you, my
friends ~ inquired, when we had all safe
ly landed.
"That's question we're jest going t.
settle" returned the former spokesman.
was rudely grappled on either side
The purse had taken out fell from hand
but my pocket book was soon in the pos
session of my assailants, one of whom hast
ened to open it, and after fumbling rol
of notes, said to his companions:
"Guess thar's enough here, Bill let's b.
off"
AS they leaped into the boat and showed
off, one of them called out, derisively:
"Ef you want to git to your friends to
night, you've no time to lose, for the river
risin', an you'll soon hev wet feet thar"
AS lie spoke, felt the water coming
over my ankles. There had been heav,