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r> f>> ** , * /y ***^ > ,^. fffff ffr/J . xyJJ . fxJJJ . f<<|< VOLUME 11. | BY C. R. lIANLEITER. P © IETKI. For the “Siuilicrn Miscellany.” AUTU.MN’3 TRACKING. leaves are falling round ns, Carry, Mournfully the winds do sigh— Tokens to remind us, dearest, That we too are born to die. But not like Autumn leaves, that fall And perish on the wintry sod ; Our spirits, free'd from earthly I limit, Shall soar above, and live with Cod ! Oh, blessed promise !—star to light us Through this darksome vale of tears! With such prospect to delight ns, What are woes of number'd years ! T. Madison, November 1. ©RiiaOKm ©DCiETOH, For tlie “Southern Miscellany.” THE MYSTERY REVEALED; Or the imy all hands were “ most oudacioushj tuck in.” A PINEVILLE SKETCH. Pineville awoke from the quiet slumher of a s'.arlcss night. The morn inn; was clou dy and damp, and Ion? after the most fash ionable citizens had broken their fast, a dense fog still rested upon the earth, inolv ing houses arid horse-blocks, shops and slian- Iccs, sign-posts and horse-racks, flower-gar dens and duck-ponds, chimneys and fodder stacks, objects conspicuous and objects out of sight, things elegant and things inelegant, (which in villages are usually disposer! in such pleasing contrast,) in one general in discriminate obscurity. But the “ glorious nrb’“at length appeared, dispelling the mists and vapors of the upper air, anil sending its genial rays aslant upon the scene, impait ed life mnl animation to the Pinevillians, ami brilliancy and beauty to the landscape. Then it was that signs of animal life and enjoyment might have been detected by the discriminating observer. Men and cattle were astir—the former in pursuit of those various occupations by which they sought to obtain a livelihood, and the latter migrating to the woods and fields, for the same lauda ble purpose. The village swine were per forming scavenger duty in the streets and yards, the matronly old liens were leading filth their young fledglings to the morning repast, scratching up the isolated grubs and disturbing the repose of the indolent bugs that lay concealed among the weeds and rubbish, while a gang of vagabond goats were performing feats of agility about the court-house steps. But by far the most in teresting group was that which liad assem bled round the piazza of the principal hotel, to pick their teeth in company, whittle the hacks of the split-bottomed chairs, and dis cuss the topics of the day. There was a dearth of news just at that lime, and con versation was dull. Something was said tthout the probable price of cotton in the fall, and some grave speculations were made as to the prospects of the corn crop. Old Mr. Hearty, who is generally regarded as an oracle ir. such matters, expressed his de liberate conviction, that the price of cotton Would mainly depend upon the quality of the staple, what the planter “ a,xed” for it, and what the buyer was willing to give—there was no doubt in his mind about that. !t \vaS & settled matter—lint as to the corn crop, that depended entirely on circumstances. One ventured the opinion that the rain was over. Sammy Stonestreet —whoiil the hoys Universally etilieil Stonr/Lt'C, because of his tmCtttltionable ugliness —said he knew a ”yarb” for taking pimples oft* people’s faces, to which Tom Ungers, who was slightly af fected that way, replied that it was a pity lie could not find something that would soak the ugly out of his own countenance. The latter remaik raised a laugh at Sammy s expense, and, after a pause, Billy Wilder asked if any body had any good tobacco; upon which Boh Echols pulled out a piece about the size of his hand—but in reality only half a hand of tobacco—and passed it to Billy, after which it passed through di vers other hands, until the greater part found its way into the mouths of the by standers, and not even the slightest moiety Would ever have teoched its owner again, had not someone on the outskiits of the crowd——who probably had a hole in his |mcket —called out, “whose tobacco’s this?” Bob owned the remnant, and conversation bnd expectoration beceme brisk and gener al. Some writers would stop here, now, to give the reader a group of portraits—-in oth er words, to give him a seperate and special introduction to the crowd into whose midst We have thus unceremoniously ushered him. llut we will not imitate their example, for good and sufficient reasons; first, because we do not claim to be skilled in the limning Art, and, secondly, because we consider an Itntuccessful portrait no better than n cari cature, a libel on the individual attempted to be personified ; and, thirdly and lastly, as the logicians say, because we prefer (and we doubt not but our readers do the same) to’ form our estimates of individuals from an acquaintance with their characters, rather <ha’ by the contour of their features —in- deed, we find this the only safe way to judge p'cople. But as Sammy Stoncstreet appears to have been designed and blocked out by tfwure herself, rather as a charicature & JPattiUg Jictospapcr : ©rtootcfc to ftUcvaturc, agriculture, SHccliiwtco, fStmcatlon, iForcign aiD Somesttc tutclUgcucc, *cc. upon his species, we may venture, perhaps, to make n dab at bis profile, with no very serious apprehensions of spoiling the job ; and after informing the reader that the bal ance of the company was composed of just such a variety as lie would be likely to meet assembled at that hour of the day round the | door of a village boarding house, leave him to cultivate his acquaintance with them as we progress with our sketch. VV ell, then, when we said Sammy was | “ uncontionably” ugly, we spoke conscien tiously. His order of ugliness was perfect ly syi grttcris —the genius of ugliness him self (if there ever was such n deity) could have claimed no kin with Sammy Stone si reef, on the score of family resemblance, so peculiar to himself was the style and fash ion of Ids deformity. It lias been reported of young Stonestrent that bis shadow left a disagreeable impression upon the wall where it fell, and that vegetation was sure to be checked wherever bis hideotisness came between it and the sun—indeed, it is a well attested fact that a strolling Daguer reotype man ruined hisnpparatus in attempt ing to get a specimen likeness of him flu oric of the northern museums. But for fear the leader should doubt our sincerity in this general allusion to Sammy’s personal ap pearance, we will endeavor to give him some vague idea, at least, of his form arid favor. To begin, then, Sammy Stonestreet stood, net, (for lie wore no shoes,) five feet otic and a fraction, but be claimed full an other inch, in consideration of the angle of his legs; fin lie was despot ately knock-kneed; and had a drooping, forward inclination of these latteral appendages, which caused him to stand rather in a jumping aliunde, upon the palms of his feet. To proceed upwards, iie Was remarkably short in the couple, as a wagoner would say, which was probably owing to a most unnatural and unhealthy hump, which seemed to have been originally lodged upon bis right shoul der, hut which had swayed bar k and down wards until it bad given n sort of sidewise twist to bis body, which, as be approached von, twirling bis cotton ptolk in liin hnmt, bis white, watery eyes rolling in bis head, gave him very much the appearance of one about to deal a blow; and many is tlie un lucky lick poor Sammy has received in bis day from over-squeamish persons, in conse quence of the natural belligerance of his atti tude. But to proceed to the climax of mor tal ugliness. A short shrivelled neck sup ported a head of ponderous dimensions— a perfect chaos of Phrenological develnp- I ments—“-a mental Alps, with prometitoiies ! and peaks, ravines and vnllies, utterly defy | ing every thing like scientific exploration, or systematic measurement. But what shall we say of his face ? Broad, round and quince-colored—but we will perhaps suc ceed better to take a feature at a time small nose, decidedly snub, with pink-color ed nostrils—eyes pale, gray and watery, di vided hv the slightest particle of nose, which seemed stretched upwards solely for that purpose—lips, thin and colorless, the tippet one short and inclined towards the nose, leaving exposed the teeth of the upper jaw, which projected far over bis nether grinders; mouth, large and difficult to close—while the chin, which should have terminated the lower region of the facial territory seemed to have shrunk entirely away, leaving the neck and mouth in close proximity. But as if nature’s finishing touch hud been I<m! ..... o eel solelv to give full relief to this specimen * y r t of her handiwork, she blessed Samuel with a profusion of bright saffron-colored hair, for the better display of which she added a “ cow-lick,” which held it erect fiom ear to ear, giving a general contour of face more resembling a weather-beaten sun flower, with a few seeds plucked here and there for eyes, nose and mouth, than anything else in nature to which we can liken it. But enough of Sammy’s hideoustiess. The crowd were engaged, as when we left them, in a sort of running general con versation, when ah incident occulted—fur it must he admitted that the passage of a four-wheeled vehicle through a quiet coun try village like Pineville, is an incident.— But the occurrence to which we now more particularly allude, was an incident indeed, one that will not be forgotten while the chronicles of Pineville are remembered.— A large dapple grey horse, evidently much jaded, was seen approaching in a forced trot, drawing a rather dilapidated looking buggy, with two women, in homespun frocks and green veils. Conversation was suddenly suspended, while every eye was directed’ to the vehicle. It came down the street towards the tavern, hut it did not stop. The horse seemed willing, even desirous, as lie drew near tho sign-post, but one of the women, not the one who held the lines, ex tended a brawny hand, in which she held a stout hickory, and dealt him a blow that tal lied its date upon every rib of the side up on which it fell. Tho animal frisked Iris tail and quickened his gait, but endeavored to turn the next comer on the opposite side, which effort was, however, promptly coun teracted by repeated applications of the afore said hickory. Having finally gained the main road the poor animal was forced into a rapid gait, in which lie continued until lost to the view of tho astonished specta tors. Not a word was spoken for full a minute after the passage of the vehicle ; hut nuy one who observed the severe scrutiny with which they had regarded those Veiled women, and noted the glancing of eyes and MADISON, MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA, SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 4, 1813. peculiar suspicious expression of their coun tenances, would have boeh qualified that but one sentiment prevailed in that crowd, and that was, that all was not right in that same buggy. Sammy Stonestreet was the first to break silence. “ Dadfetcht,” said be, “ if I don’t hot my best dominicker (Sam Jit chickens occasion ally) that them’s men in wimmin’s clothes!” “ Pshaw, what an idee !” ejaculated old Mr. Hearty, resuming the seat he had risen from to get a better look. “ Well, t hoy's monstrous quaro look in wimmin-flesh, that’s a fact,” remarked Bil ly Wilder, with on air of curious gravity; “ f never reed a woman hit a boss sicli a lick as that afire in my life.” ” And how fast they druv,” ntaerVtetl one. “ I’d gin a pretty to got a squint at ther ftces,” said another, “but them dratted veils bid ’em clean.” “ l seed ’em ! 1 seed ’em !” exclaimed Srmmy, bustling about ih the crowd, “ atitl il that one on this side didn’t have whiskers, I hope I may never see chinkapin time agin, dadfetch me!” “ But, boys did you over sec a woman ns tall ns that one that tooled the hickory?” inquired one. “ Well, they didn’t look much like any of our gals about ther waists, that’s a fact,” rematked uncle Heartv. beginning to give in to the popular opinion. “ Take it all together, it is tother a suspicious circum stance.” •’ Gcntle<wr,” rehiorkcdDr. Peter Jones, “ that horse has come more than twenty miles this morning, or more likely has trav eled all night, a very strong symptom that something’s in the wind.” “ Shore enough,” said Boh Echols, “ and to p&s3 tight through town so, without stop ping for breakfast nor nothing. 1 tell you what now, all ain’t right.” “ Well, who is they ? whereupon yoath can they begwine in such a hurrymeut ?” “ Ther an’t no tellin’,” answered Billy Wilder, “ in these times quare things is tiiniiiinpoi'UV .luy Th*>y numglu l,f some fellers broke from the Penitentiary, or it moiight be the Sub-Treasury runnin away with the Government money.” “ That’s a fact, and it ought to be seen into,” remarked half a dozen in the crowd. Just at that crisis, old ‘Squire Rogers, in company with Mr. Montgomery, the school master, approached from the Post office, from which they bad just received their newspapers. The ’Squire unfolded the “ Columbus Enquirer,” and placed liisspcc tacle astride of his nose, while the crowd were relating to him the circumstance of the mysterious buggy, and indulging in their vat ions speculations respecting the proba ble character of its inmates. After glancing Ids eyes for a moment over the damp sheet, while some half dozen pressed round and gazed over his shoulder, the old gentleman read aloud— “ DARING AND EXTENSIVE ROPBERY ! TEN THOUSAND DOLLABS REWARD ! !” The sensation produced in the crowd by this startling announcement was tremend ous. “ All! Eli ! what ? Robbers ? where ? when ? Didn’t 1 say so 1 Read it out! Let’s catch ’em!” came from a dozen throats at once, while Summy went leaping like a kangcl'oo with a split st'ek on its tail, from side to side, excl“! ,n 'ng ( “ Didn’t T know, ui’d* ? Didn’t I say so, uncle Hearty? Dadfetch me if l’s the chap to be fooled with pettycoats. Didn’t 1 sec boots and troWsers legs Under them gowns?” It was several minutes before any one could be beard above the genera! clamor of the crowd, which had now considerably in creased in number. At length, when or der had been it) some measure restored, at the request of ’Squire Rogers, Mr. Mont gomery read the article from the paper, which stated that the Insurance and Trust Company's Bank, at Columbus, known as the “ Shylock,” had been broken into a few nights previous by two armed men, and rob bed of upwards of SSO,OOO in specie nnd bills, and that a reward of 810,000 had been offered for the appehension of the robbers. Before the last word was fairly out of ti e readers mouth, a confusion of voices shout ed, “ Them's they !” “ Let’s catch ’em !” ” No time’s to be lost!” and two or three were seen running for the Sheriff’ without further consultation. It: less than five minutes all Pineville was in commotion. The tiling tvas now settled in the minds of the majority beyond a cavil, that a brace of daring bank robbers had just passed through town disguised as women, and there was not wanting those who were willing to affirm that they not only saw whiskers beneath those Veils, ‘out that pis tols and Bowie knives protruded from the bosoms of their gowns; and Sammy Stone street was “ dadfetcht” if he didn’t hear dol lars jingle in the bottom of the buggy, when the wheel struck a certain root. There were some obstinate people who always would have opinions of theii own, that could sec no reasons for entertaining any such suspicions ; but tinge were few', and no body cared whether they could or not. Half the men in town were going in pursuit; all the horses, old saddles, and remnants of bridles, were put in requisition and there had not been such a mustering of old shot guns and horse pistols since the Indian war. “ Why, what upon yenth’s broke loose now ?” inquired Major Joseph Joties, as lie rode into the midst of the crowd of armed and mounted men, having just arrived from bis plantation. ” Cotne on, Major,” said the “ you’r the very man we want.” “ But wJiar you gwino, boys—what's to pay 1” “Ob, a heap! robbers! ten thousand dollars reward—escaped ; u women’s clothes! with green veils! in a buggy ! not more’n j fifteen minutes ago !” was all the Major could gather from the confusion of voices around him. But he was a public spirited man, and was determined to have a band in the game, w hatever it was. “ Come on !” shouted the Sheriff, and away dashed the whole cavalcade, down the road, rolling hack a thick cloud of dust frnhi their horses’ feet, and raising a din and clamor that nearly frightened the women ami children out of their senses. Another minute, and they were lost to the sight of those whom ilicy had left to indulge irispec- Culaiiotis, doubts and surmises until their re in rn. Like a tempest, they swept through the country, carrying terror before them, and leaving astonishment and wniuler in their train—children ran screaming to their mo thers, women shrunk from the doors and windows, dogs harked, and cotVs rah lid loving to the woods. Onward, and onward they sped—already several miles had been gained and eager eyes were looking up the long stretches of the road in the hope of seeing the object of their pursuit. At length the party arrived at a fork of tho t oad—car carriage tracks were discovered ih both.— A consultation was held, when it was deter mined that the Sheriff, with one part of the company, should take the road to the right, and the Major, with the balance, should pur sue that leading to the left. Not a moment was to he lost. The party are already di vided, and each division pursuing its res pective route at the topof theirspeed. We will go with the Sheriff. Continuing the same rapid gait, the Sher iff’s party proceeded about two miles, when nu ciin” liorncmnn ■wilVi ■wltom tYvcy writ* well acquainted, they asked if he had met a buggy With two ivnmcn in green veils ? “ Yes,” said Mr. Hopkins, “ 1 met o'd Mrs. Cm 100 and her daughter Nancy in a buggy, just back het’e a-plpce, gtviue down to Billy Curloo’s, on the Runs.” “ Are you certain it was Mrs. Curloo ?” “ To be sure, for I stopped atid chatted with ’em a minit; hut they was in a mon strous hurry, as they said Billy was gwino to make a die of it, and had sent for ’em.” This was perfectly satisfactory, and the Sheriff and his party, chopfallen aud morli fied in the extreme, turned hack to town, with only one consolatory reflection where with to relieve their deep chagrin, which was, that iho other party wete likely to he worse fooled than themselves. “ Now, this lias all come of listening to that abominable fool Stonestreet,” remark ed the Sheriff, as they rode leisurely along on their return. “ I had no confidence in his story in the first place; but every body seem ! cd to agree with him, and, under the circum stances, ibe least I could do was to investi gate the matter.” “ 1 was a most certain it vi as all a piece of nonsense in the first place,” remarked a rather elderly member of the party, who had hut a few minutes before been thd boldest ; and most detnimiqo3 the pursuit ; “ but nothing would satisfy ’em but I must come. I wouldn’t a gin tlie did mare sicli a brush tint for the whole Curloo generation.” “ Taint that what I looks at,” said John Hicks, “its the laugh the fellcis will have on us, that I dreads more’ll a dozen sicb rides. We wont hear the eend of the Cur loo chase in a coon’s age. you see it we do.” “ That we wont !” said the Sheriff; and lie laid bark in bis saddle and took a good laugh pt himself. “ Two women in green veils ride through our town in haste to see a sick relation, and in fifteen minutes half the inhabitants are pursuing them, with guns, pistols and jack-knives, to take lliefn for Bank robbers. Was there ever such a pack of fools 1” At the end of this speech of the Sheriff's, he took another laugh, and the whole party mr.de an attempt to tai<e a general laugh, but it was a shallow affair, and soon died away. There seemed to he a conviction resting upon their minds, that the laugh was on the other side, and that they were much better qualified just then to be laughed at than to laugh. Each seemed desirous of relieving himself of ns much of the ridicule as possible. One mentioned the fact that lie had brought no gun, and nnotlier only went along to see the fun ; and, finally, they all came to the conclusion that they were not half so deeply involved os the patty that were still in pursuit. Their jaded horses did not travel so brisk ly, nnd it was past noon when they reached the village. Some two nr three made it convenient to find business in the country, leaving the Sheriff nnd the balance of their companions in the chase to hear the brunt of tho ridicule which was sure to be heaped upon them by the citizens. As the party rode up towards the tavern, n crowd of ea ger enquirers were soon assembled round, from whom questions came thick and loud. “ Did you cotii ’em ?” “ who was they 1” “ what’s the rest o’ the boys ?” and a hun dred other such interrogatories were put be fore tho Sheriff, who had began the laugh in advance, had time to state the facta. As soon, however, ns he was allowed a bearing, be made a faithful report of the proceedings, informing them iff all that had transpired. A loud shout ensued, in which the Sher iff ami his party joined with as good a grace as tho circumstances would permit. After 1 the noise had somewhat subsided, the shrill squeaking voice of Sammy Stonestreet wus ! heard in the midst of the crowd. “You needn’t tell me!” he exclaimed ; “oh no, you needn’t tell me, ‘squire ! Them 1 wasn’t no Cut loos, them wasn't. I knows the Curious like a hook, nnd I'll be dadfetcht if ther wus a sign of a Curloo in that buggy what wetit through here this morning.” “Did you see the buggy yourself, squire?” asked one. “Oh, no, But it was Just on ahead, and Hopkins told us all we wanted to know.” “ What Hopkins, Henry or l’cter?” en quired another. “ Peter Hopkins, that used to oversee for old man Stallions, you know ?” “Oh, yes,” shouted two or three, “lie's j tlie Hopkins that come so nigh going to the Penitentiary for stealing riggers;” and the universal opinion was, that lie was not wor thy of belief, and that just us liLvlv not ho had been sent hack by the robbers to put the Sheriff off their track. “ I know'll it—its jest as I ’spectcd,” said Sammy. “ Them devils is got clean off ar tcr all. Pete Hopkins aint no better nor he should be, and 1 wouldn’t swart* Ito was n’t in cahoot with ’em !” Some enquiry was made about Hopkins. His character sank a degree at every p obe, Until it was fitr below the moral £er<>, and when il was understood that lie disappeared soon after his inteiview with the Sheriff, the suspicion that lie was leagued with the rob bers was entertained by all those who still hoped that the very worst surmises of the mottling, respecting the inmates of the bug gy, might prove true; which, as is usual on such occasions, was much the largest portion of the company. The Sheriff, fully satisfied in his own mind as to the character of the strangers, soon af- li r leliic-il. leaving; tlio maul to iiululgn their various speculations. Uncle Hearty winked his eye significantly, and remarked that it was a very “quare way to do busi ness, to ride ten miles after robbers and get tight up to ’em and then route away without even sett in eyes on ’em.” “ Did you rrer /” said n bystander; “ and then for to go and take Pete Hop kins’ word all about it!” “ I didn’t like the percrcdin myself,” re matked the eldetly gentleman before allu ded to, as one of the Sheriff's patty ; “ but lie was the Sheriff’,you know.” “ You wouldn't choked this child offthat a-vvay,” said one, with a resolute twist of tlie head. “ I’d seed whether they was Cur loos or not, I’ll be bound.” “Gentlemen,” said Sammy Stonestreet, “them was no more Ciitloos than I is.— Why, Lord bless you, Nancy Curloo, aint more’n so b g,” (measuring with his hand from the ground,) “ and don’t know a green veil from a bed quilt.” “And I\l like to know,” rematked a very calculating little tnan, “ what they would come away round through town for, to go to the Runs, when they could just cut across hy Patker’s Bridge, and save more than five n iles of the distance,” *• That’s a fact,” chimed in a Jozetl who luini'itar with the road. Indeed, so settled had become the opin ion among the crowd of gossips who throng ed about tlie tavern, that Ibe Sheriff had been misled, that there was some talk of getting up another patty to go in pursuit of the robbers. But it was getting late, and the few horses left in town were unfit for service after the fatigue of the morning.— Besides, there was strong hopes entertained of the success of the party still in pursuit, whom they expected every moment to see returning w ith the prisoners. Sammy ex ptfessfed the most unbounded confidence in Major Jones, giving it as bis opinion that the Major would follow them to Florida before he would let them escape. But the winds themselves are not more changeable than public opinion; and as well might one attempt to bold the unseen currents of the air in check, as to stay the tide of pub lic sentiment when once the elements of re action are at work. There are always some one or two persons in every small coran u nity who lend tlie mass, and, as when some nvant swine breaks through tlie barrier that circumscribes the wanderings of the herd, the balance are suro to rush impi tuously through the same hole, so tlie multitude are certain to give unanimous assent to the opinions of those whose lead they are ac customed to acknowledge. Among the acknowledged sense-keepers of Pineville. Mr. Montgomery, the school master, stood “ A, No. 1,” and it was just the easiest tiling in the world for him to blow all Summy Stonestreel’s cherished notions to Ballyhack. The old gentleman was ut terly astonished at the credulity of his fel low-citizens, and was suiprired beyond measure that any body should entertain for a moment the very ridiculous suspicions that had been indulged that morning. The town wus coming to n pretty pass indeed, that too poor women could not drive through to see n sick relation without being pursued as Bank robbers. He had no opinion of the proceedings in the first place, but since tho Sheriff had returned, he thought that every one ought to be satisfied as to the character | NUMBER 32 WM. T. THOMPSON, EDITOR. of the strangers. ’Squire Rogers was deci dedly of his opinion, nnd Mr. Peter Ilojii kins, who had been detained by bbsihesft hH ibe rttod. having airived in town and reiter ated and confirmed the statement of ib Sheriff, the almost unanimous opinion was, that the whole matter was a piece iff pbrfbbk Tom foolery, and that the party that huff gone in pursuit, and especially those that were still absent on that business, ought to he ashamed of themselves. Only one solitary individual had the har dihood still to proclaim his conviction Wirtt the strangers were not what they represent ed themselves to be, and that was Stonestreet. “ Never mind,” said be, “ you’ll see— maybe I is a fool, nnd Mr. Mountgnmery knows everything—but I’ll be dadfetcht if I don't know what 1 docs know jest as well ns ennybody—and 1 know 1 seed whiskers and trowsers, and I knows 1 can tell NatirV Curloo and her mother from Itvn tltatteil (grate big strappin then, if they is got goWiis and green veils on. But you’ll see—just wait till Major Joe comes, will you ?” And; sure enough, they did wait for Ma j*'” *1 M esxvxl T*n J, Vmm irrn vxtitl rtTC TtfllTC anxious hopes that filled the bosom of the inveterate Sammy. They waited tlie afri-’ val of those wkn had gone in pursuit, ih or der that they might heap upon them the overwhelming measure of their ridicule, by* the bestowal of which they hoped to miti gate, in some measure, the deep chagrin which they felt for the part themselves had taken in the ridiculous affair. The hours rolled off. It was sunset, and yet the Curloo chasers, as they teimed them,’ had not arrived. The crowd still lingered about tlie lintel, eager to greet them, and many was the funny remark and witty joke that was enjoyed at the expense of the ab sent. But all ibis was nothing to what was in store for them on their arrival— “Nevermind; you’ll see!” was all tliaf Sotnmy bofifd* say; ( “ Ybs; you will SH*,” Said one; “you’ll, see one of the sneakinest iGokihg feangs of fellers that ever was in Pineville. The fast, is 1 helieve they’re oshomtd iti tome home.” “1 shouldn’t wonder if they tvas !” chim ed in itr.cle Hearty. “ I’ll bet M:\jorJoncs don’t slftt+b his fare in town for a mouth,” remarked one of f(t6 crowd. But ns for Dr. Pete, it aint tlie first! time lie's liefcn tuck in trying to take people’ to git the toward. He oughtn’t to fnmd ii a snuff’.” “ 1 liai's a fact, the Doctor’s been mon strous unlucky,” said another, “ lie got his mouth badly mashed that time he tuck the Major, and l wouldn't he surprised if In- was to git liis dratted neck broke some of these days by his smartness.” The unanimous opinion was, that the Doc tor was not the only fool in the crowd, and that they deserved a leather medal a-piece. It was now quite dusk, and still no signs of tlie party. Various sutmises aud opin ions were uttered as to the probable cause of the delay. Some thought they lind gone so far, in theii headlong haste, that they had not yet had time to retrace their steps —oth- ers were apprehensive (among these weief those who had loaned llieil - horses) that tlieif horses had given out, while much tfife lafgrf portion were of the opinion that they were really ashamed to come home in daylight. “ Never you mind,” said Sammy, as he stood with his gaze intently directed Jowu the road. The crowd were gtowing more and mord impatient, mid the prospect iff heihg Corn pelled to forego the fun they had anticipa ted in quizzing and ridiculing the Curloo chasers, began to operate as a check nphii the hilarity of the hour, when my was heard to exclaim, Look ! see !—ah ! eh ?—ves, yonder—*’ dadfetcht, valid they is—hurra, hoys !—now we'll see !” and away he bloke, followed hy’ the whole company, in the direction of the road, in which a group of mounted men’ were dimly seen, 6iowly approaching the town. In another minute Sammy was dancing about in a pet feet ecstary, shouting, as he flourished his cotton-stalk over his head, “I told yoa so!—here they is!—them’s they!— them’s the Cur loos ! Hurra for Major Joties!—l kiiow’d he’d cotch ’em. Maybe/ l is a fool! —maybe 1 don’t knot* 1 a than’ with a frock on from a Curloo!” And sure enough, to the utter astonish ment of everybody Except Sammy Stone street, there they were—two individuals in women’s clothed with veils ! It was too ‘ dai k to observe the precise color of the veils, but as the two who wote them were led along in the midst of the In rsemen, burth eried with ropes ami cords ulmiul their nectoj? and arms, the crowd were nt otirc satisfied of their identity, and with one voice. r rather in a confusion of voices, pressed their enquiries us to the whereabouts and..man ner of their capture. But it would, have ta ken more tongues than were in that littlo party to answer half the inter rotatories of the last collecting citizens, and they hurried! on to tlie magistrate*’ office, vvherfe it vkas’ generally understood all would be revealed'. All Pineville was in an uproar. “They've caught ‘em!” was tho universal cry df old and young, nt.thcy hastened to join rh# crowd that Irud assembled around ’Squire Rogers’ office, Which Was fioW promptly lighted up and put in readiness for t!> m ci osary magisterial investigation. Sammy StonthjtVcet Was in his glory, and could no|