The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-03-28

what l had witnessed and managed 10
slip it into tue hand OF the landlord, with
the whispered instruction to read It at
once.
He did so and exchanged knowing
wink Presently he turned to the dis.
guised dckpocket and said:
"Come on, my friend, your turn next.
"Bat | have already been searched
cried the man with q startled look on
his face ...
"Not by me, my dear cir" rejoined
the landlord with benevolent smile.
"But the gentleman that has been rob
bed is satisfied that l haven't his purse,
persisted the rogue,
fYou may not have had it then, bu
may have it now; so come along" wa'
4 the landlords response to his appeal.
Rapine now stepped up with smiling
coun:enance aud remarked;
"My dear sir, this man has been al
ready examined, as he says. Surely, i
he did not have the stolen property OF
his person then, how can it be supposed
that he is likely to have it now2"
"By very simple process" said l
looking the unhlushing rascal in the face
=" Fellows Of his stamp usually operate
with confederate. After be had stelel
the money he at once passed it to hi
confederate or pal if that term is NOR,
familiar TO you. Thus, when be wa:
searched it was not found upon him, d.
you see2'
Then his pal as you call him, should
he searched If be can be found" was tn,
smiling remark.
replied:
III can be foun I, and would hav'
been searched, only for the fact that
fearing such an event, he transferred thu
stolen property back again to the orig
inal holder"
He glanced curiously at me as he qui
etly remarked:
"Yon appear to Jump at conclusions
without great deal of judgment i
strikes me-"
4 AWAIT until this fellow is overhauled
once more. and you may change your
opinion" rel oined l.
sand while this process is going or
this confederate-if not a myth-may
escape, if he has not already done So
observed he with slight smile of deri
sion. <
II have>my eye on him; he will mo-
escape" rejoined l, quietly.
RapIne began to exhibit signs Of un.
easiness then, smiling sarcastically al
nv closing remarks, he sauntered away
while his "pal'' was being searched in
spite OF his protestations The plundeI
was recovered aud the three other wal
let's we're at once claimed bv as many
men, who had not discovered their loss
until, to their surprise, they saw their
property ished out Of secret pocket
OF the rascars coa'.
now approached Rapire, who was
on the point of taking the latch OF the
front door in his hand, not aware that
the door was locked.
"Mr. Rapine,' said 1, placing my back
against the door. "the money was found
on the rascsl's person, and now | shall
take his confederate"
By this time he had become suspicious,
and sezing the latch he made a sudden
attempt TO open the door, at the same
time violently pushing me aside.
He uttered horrid imprecation when
be found the door locked, but before he
coald make q move to dash through the
window. which believed he was con-
templating by the way he examined it,
neatly tr:pped him At the same mo-
ment | seiz.d him by the collar and then
5andcuffed him just as the smiling land
lord cane up.
At his subsequent trial and convection
there was quite scene. Just before the
judge was about to pass sentence upon
him. Rapine said:
"Mv lord, will you permit me to make
few rem4rksT ~
"Be b-iet, then," said the jadga, curt
ly.
awhile will not attempt to deny
having committed the of.nce," said the
prisoner, cor seek TO justify the act, you
will nevertheless perceive that there are
an" m"liprating circumstances connected
with this unfortunate affair when you
hear nv story. I am connected with a
wealthy and refined family, the ancestral
name OF which, for obvious reasons,
shall rot mention A villain-a mon.
ster in the guise of the human form di-
vine-by artful insnuations and subtle
6lttery, only too eagerly received, be
trayed my idolized, nv only sister. He
fad from the scene OF his wrong dong
and pursned him in vain for six months
before discovered bis hiding place.
charged him with his vile work and he
Knocked me. l grew desperate, and in
that mood took his dastardly life. Tue
hounds Of Justice we're soon upon nv
track For brief period l eludei them,
hut in an evil moment / fell prey to
their treless pursuit, and was tried and
condemned But while lay in durance
vile nv much-wronged sister ended her
career by self-deslruction, which so
preyed upon the mind OF my mother
that she sank under her accumulated
mseries, and was soon laid by her un-
fortunate child Justice appeared to be
satisfied then and assumed q lenien,
mood. was pardoned and once more
breathed the pure air OF freedom |
vas free to do-whatp To fall into still
deeper degradation. All b nds and
hearts we're turned against the convicted
feIon. was treated with scorn and de-
rision by those who we're wont TO be
proud to he recognized by me / was
deeply humiliated and debated the mat.
ter in my mind for a fortnight. Then
came to decision. Iresolved to be re-
venged upon society, since society re.
fused me its countenance would
make an indiscriminste war upon it, ant
have kept my word. This ia the onl,
, excuse I can offer in defence of my
crime" said he in conclusion. as h'
drew forth his pocket handkerchief ant
buried his face in it.
There was a profound silence, and
saw by the faces around me that his re
cital had made deep impression on hi
auditors, that he had enlisted their deep
eat and most heartfelt sympathies. Their
t was one exception, however A coun
: trv looking fellow, in snock ffock an
smelling of the stables, laughed audibl
y when Rapine's head sank upon the raj