Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-09-25

He was evidently a leader a.
mong the ruffians by whom he
had been surrounded, and we
felt that we could trust him.
"My name is Grattan," he
said ,abetterknown as Long Jim.
I had just drove mp here, and
finding out what was going On,
concluded to stopit. Come and
ticker up. I'll take care OF you,
I tell you.
The crowd retreated to the
bar-room, and we followed with
our heads a good deal confused
by the peril we had been in, and
from which we had been so un-
expectedly, and, seemed to us,
almost Bliraculously relieved.
AS we were walking along,
Tracer nudged me in the ribs,
then gave a knowing wink, and
cast a sidelong glance at our
deliverer; all of which was in
tended to convey the intelli-
gence that he had heard of
Long Jim before, and, as he
Observation-Disclosures me, knew
that he was an old offender, for
whom The chief had been in
search.
Of course it was utterly use
less TO attempt to take him then,
and, as We were convinced he
lived somewhere in that neigh
borhood, we felt sure we could
get him at some time in the flu
ture. e4
Upon reaching the bar-room,
our overcoats were restored to
us, and we took our departure,
considerably crestfallen. Long
Jim accompanied us few hun
dred yards, and then suddenly
halted. sa .,ss .ansa as
"See here!" he exclaimed. 81
understand that you fellows are
detectives, and that your chief
wants to sec. me in New York.
Give him my compliments, and
say l will como to his office
within two days. Do as good a
turn for ME as / have for yOu.'
Long Jim was as good as his
word: and as the case against
him was not a very strong one,
he was allowed to depart, for
the time being, as free as lie
had come.
As for Joe Bcllcn, We looked
for him in all directions, as we
bad a personal as well as an of
fetal interest in desiring to
pay our respects to him. Time
rolled on, however, until years
interyened, and the pursuit
seemed useless: but, in the
midst Of all the other duties, he
was seldom out of my thoughts.
1t was exactly nine years af-
ter the adventure above related
that | left the Office one night,
at a very late hour, and boarded
Il strect-car TO go to my lodg-
ings.
Opposite me, in a corner seat
of the car, a very gcntlcmanly
appearing man was twirling
small cane between his fingers,
and was looking about him
with a somewhat suspicious air,
/ lad not especially noticed
him at first; but, as his nervous
ness increased, my attention
was drawn to him more closely,
and in a moment | recognized
| him as Joe Belden.
As / arose to take a scat be.
side him, he also arose to leave
the car, and | laid my hand on
his shoulder.
1T wont do, Mr.. Belden!"
said. al know you; yoa are my
prisoner"
"My name is not Belden, sirp
he replied, and at the same timt
struck me sharply in the face
with his cane. 8Il H
The blow stung ne, but wal
mot sufficiently heavy to do any
great damage. 1t reused my
blood TO such a pitch, however
that | had no scruples in knock
ing him down with such fore,
that he remained partially un
conscious until after / had iron
cd him and removed him fron
the car.
On arriagning him at head
quarters, he acknowledged hi
identity and gave us a most i'll
tcresting account of his wander
ing from the time of his escap
to his capture.
On the following morning h
was arraigned in court upol
: the old Indictment, and as tn
: evidence was all at hand h
pleaded guilty, and was give
, the opportunity for five year
3 reflection in the pcnitentiary.
"Can love die?" inquiries Ma
try E.. Nealy-in Il recently put
E lished poem. 1t cannot, thong
3 it gets drcadfully adjourned oC
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