Sifting Through the Sands of Time

Sheriff Snyder brings the following anecdote from Alton:

A few days since one of the convicts in the penitentiary got into cart in which another convict was hauling shavings out of the yard to throw into the river.

After he had taken his position, the other covered him very snugly with shavings and promised to dump the load at some convenient place where he might remain concealed in the shavings until the proper time to make his escape.

But, unfortunately for the concealed convict another driver was directed to take charge of the cart who was ignorant of the attempted ruse, as the convict was of the change of drivers.

And ere the poor fellow discovered that he had fallen into the hands of one who knew not Joseph, the cart was driven to the bluff, and the load of shavings was dumped off the precipice fifteen or twenty feet high, into the Mississippi.

Zounds! but it was cold comfort.

He emerged from his cold bath, astonishing the driver as much as he was astonished himself; and without attempting to travel further into the cold charity of the world, took a bee line for the penitentiary where he will remain probably until warm weather before he attempts a repetition of his ruse. 2 A Convict’s Ruse My Father’s Comin’

A young urchin, before the new act, was employed to sweep the chimney of a house in Macclesfield, and having ascended to the “summit of his profession” took a survey.

This completed, he prepared to descend, but mistaking the flue, he found himself on landing, in the office of a limb of the law, whose mediations were put to flight.

The sensation of both it is impossible to describe. Covered in debris, the wreck of a young man pulled himself up, and took off his cap, fearing that he might further offend his surprised host.

The boy terrified lest he should be punished, stood riveted to the spot, and the lawyer struck dumb started from his seat, the very image of horror, but spoke not.

Sooty, however sound found tongue and in accents which only increased the terrors of the man of law cried out:

“My father’s comin’ directly.”

This was enough.

The presence of an equivocal being so introduced unnerved his heart. If given but one more moment of thought, he would have collapsed altogether.

But with one bound, the affright lawyer flew down the stairs and sought refuge in the street from the enemy.

Lawyers take warning.