Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-09-26

respect tnat seemed 10 llft JACOB up Int
position Of Importance.
He continued, 81 must have been mis-
informed by the officer about that verdic
last night. Of course we know ther
has been too much tampering with juries
and habit Of finding out verdicts be
fore they are rendered. 1t is all wrong
certainly, though it is often done. w,
accept the deception which the jury EN-
ployed to mislead that officer as a yer,
proper rebuke. l don't want you to la,
anythink against me about it"
"Oh, no." said Jacob.
"It's dreadful, amt it, burning peo
pies buildings in this way?" suggested
the large man, confdentially.
eyes; seems to be sort of a crime,
ventured Jacob hesitatingly.
"Seems to be sort of crime !" echoed
the large man explosively; "why, mar
alive, it's arson, state prison, long term
And I will find him out. He may foo
the people down your way, with his blind
Dutchman, who can see pegs in a man:
boots mile off in the dark, but he can't
fool me. There is villain behind this,
and we are after him. ] am watching,
and I'll Jug him within twenty -four
hours !" and in saying this, by way oi
emphasis, the large man brought his fist
down on the table in a way that made
the whole room jar.
"And that was what you were watch
ing me for" said Jacob timidly, shud.
dering as he saw the gulf.
"Why, my dear, good fellow" said
the large man softening, "what else on
earth did you suppose l was watching
you for -
Jacob pondered, and was silent. The
large man turned and walked out Of the
room.
Within half an hour the president Of
the company came in. He said he de-
sired to congratulate an honest man,
and explained mysteriously, that they
were on the right track at last. He re-
marked in a confidential manner, that
they had always told the folks that ia
cob was not that sort of man."
Thank you" said Jacob huskily.
"You and your father before you have
lived in our town too long to be treated
in ibis way" said the president, wiping
tear from his eye.
The president went away.
One by one Jacobs old heighbors and
various members Of the company dropped
in, and went through with about the
same formula the president had INDUCED
in. Each explained so fully and salts
factorilly that he had all the while told
the folks that sit could not be Mr.. Will
son that did it, that Jacob really began
to wonder how it had come about that
there had ever been any difficulty. ia
cob also gathered, from the remarks
which were made, that some clue had
been gained in connection with the trial,
and that soon all would be made plain.
After a good dinner Jacob began to
be himself again. With an old friend
and neighbor he went up to the capitol
once more as matter Of curiosity. He
saw another case on trial-that of a suit
or who was struggling to get his rights
from a railroad corporation. He heard
the lawyer for the railroad company al
lude to the suitor as the most barefaced,
unscrupulous designing villain who had
ever perjured himself in tnat courtroom.
Looking at the party thus described, Ja-
cob saw only thin, pale face, on which
anxiety was painfully written, and per-
ceived that his own case was only one o.
many, and that in the court room it had
already been forgotten.
There was no reason why Jacob should
remain longer in town. At four o'clock
in the afternoon he and Mary were in
their wagon in front of the hotel, about
to leave. Just then Willie came run.
ming down the sidewalk in great excite.
ment. He came to the side Of the wag
on, his warm brown eyes dancing, ant
said, with what breath he had left. "Oh
father, father, they have found it all out
It's Andrew Vennor, and they have go
him in Jail"
"Andrew Vennor!" said Jacob, sur
prised and he added, turning inquiringl,
to Mary, 81 never had any trouble with
Andrew Vennor
Just then the large man came dowr
the sidewalk, walking very rapidly. HI
said pleasantly to Jacob, SCOT him sure
| told you so. By the way" he added
turning back after he had passed "di'
you ever have any trouble with Andrew
Vennor
"No," answered Jacob; "only hi
worked for me cne time, and my woman
here didn't seem to-
"Oh-oh that unspeakable wretch J!
said Mary coloring painfully, 81 neve
told anybody, and l never will, only
jacob
"Nery proper-very proper lnoeeo
Mrs. Wilson" said the large man polite
ly. eff we should need you on the trial
wiT'-and he nodded to complete tn
sentence.
A boy stopped on the sidewalk, evi
IDENTIFY listening curiously.
"Drive on, Jacob" urged his wife, il
II
furry. William climbed in at tn
back end of the wagon, and Jacob start
ed. He had gone but few steps whel
he pulled up his horses, and calling back
said =
"Oh, say"
The large man heard it and came dow
the walk to where the wagon was.
"Would you mind telling me, nov
that it is all over" said Jacob pleasantly