Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-27

"What pity, that l am not your son, u
mused. "Any man, aside from natural
affection, would feel proud of such a
mother" / thought of the dead son and
of what splendid home his death had
made cherries, and almost wished that
had told the old couple that ] was
really their Norval, whose death was er-
roneously announced.
After dinner, to which / was induced
to remain, we were sitting i'll the parlol
when loud knock on the front dooI
caused a momentary flutter of excite.
ment Mr.. Metford who answered the
summons, soon returned accompanied by
the town marshal. Approaching me,
and placing his ungentle hand on my
shoulder, he said:
~ want you."
"Want me2" asked in surprise.
eyes, want you."
"What right have you to want me, as
you term itl''
He took out a paper and handed it to
me. 1t was warrant, arresting me on
a charge of willfully and maliciously de-
ceiving the people of Cregmore. 1t was
useless to resist, and although the old
( gentleman and his wife protested against
such an indignity being imposed on @
guest of their house, yet by the feeling.
less rutfian l was led away and lodged
in Jail.
CHAPTER II.
The next day was arraigned before q
| justice of the peace, who requested me to
make brief statement of how | came tc
town. did so, telling him to the best
of my recollection. | told him about
losing nv trunk, and ventured to take
to task village that would stubbornly
shut its eyes and allow the preparation
! OF such outrages. The town marsha
swore that did not come by rail, that
no train had come in since two days be.
fore; that l had come on steamboat,
the Farmer Boy"-the captain of which
steamer was present-and that I had nc
trunk. The captain, very gentlemanly
| looking fellow, arose and astonished me
with the following statement:
"Just before leaving Little Rock, day
before yesterday, this man, who calls him.
self Hockersmith, came to me and said
that he would like to 60 up the river as
far as Cregmore; that he was employed
by st. Louis land corporation, and that
as his baggage had somehow failed to ar
rive, he was without money, Of course
| could not allow this story to affect me
into the generosity of presenting the
man ticket, nor to tell him that he
might take his own time in paying me
/ but did tell him that he would be com
| PEELED to pay his passage in advance
He declared that he had no money, but
that if l would let him come up as
deck passenger, he would, upon reach
ing this place, get the money from {
friend and pay me. It's only small
amount and l should not have mentioned
it but for the fact that the marshal came
down and asked me about the strange
fellow"
"What have you to say concerning
these statements" asked the justice.
Nothing, only that they are not true,
replied. "As l tell you, I came here
by rail, arriving yesterday morning"
Then becac-e indignant. CAN right
have it your way" said /. Zone man
cannot stand up against so many. If
deserve punishment, fine me and will
go on the rack pile or the convict farm
and work it out"
II don't exactly see how you hav,
violated the law" replied the magistrate
/ looking at me with almost an expression
of pity. "You have not obtained none,
by false pretenses."
$50 far as his passage is concerned,
remarked the steamboat man, -'I am moi
anxious. l would not have him punished
for that"
The town marshal shifted and twisted
himself around in his chair. | could Sc,
that he did not like the change whicl
had come over the court.
''Your honor" said he, "this man ais,
made false statements to Mr.. Bunch, pro
prietor of the hotel. He obtained boart
under false pretenseS."
| understood him. He would urg
charges against me merely to defend hi
own position.
Judge" said voice that knew
Looking around, | saw Mr.. Metford
Everyone waited for him to speak. g
met Mr.. Hockersmith at the hotel yester
day morning. On account of the won
derful resemblance which he bears t.
my son Norval-"
EYES," replied the Judge. "Poo
Norval, ! saw him buried"
son account of that resemblance,
continued Mr.. Metford, 81 invited Mr.
Hockersmith to accompany me home
He explained his embarrassment, and
told Mr.. Bunch that | would stant
good for the bill. So, that charge
wiped out"
"That's all very well, gentlemen, " ex
claimed the town MARSHAL but W
can't allow fellows to come in this way
| believe that man should be punished
for lying just the same as he ought to b
for stealing. That's my ticket"
81 am glad to hear you speak so cour
ageously," rejoined Mr., Metford. "Yo
borrowed ten dollars of me about tw
months ago, vowing that you would re
turn the money within week. Yet, not
withstanding the fact that you have ha'
money to bet at poker, you have failed
keep your promise. Yes, it is vrry goo,
idea to punish men for lying, and noN
since you have reminded me of your un
truthfulness, think it would be we'll t
act upon your conception of justice
Your honor, make me out a warrant @
arrest, please"
For time the marshal know not wha
to say. His face grew red. "You a
, know me-" he replied. 81 am not
| stranger. I didn't come here and try
beat any of you. I'll pay the ten do
lars; don't fret about that. l don