The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-02-26
MISCELLANY.
-. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
.Aelvantagc 81 80 Rorns.


call George, Ernest, and Lewis;
and who from their infancy were
strongly attached to one another.
George and Ernest were mer-
chants Lewis studied the law and
practised'in his native, place.
One summers day Ernest and
George set out ON horseback for a
town about 80 miles ca, where thew
had business to transact.-Ernesy
was weak enough to be fond of dis
coursing with his friend on rcligi-
Gus subjects, on which they were
of different opinions, and hid often
warm disputes, though George was,
as irritable and passionate, as hel
himself was obstinate in maintain
ing his notions. During the Jour
ney Ernest led the conversation to
this unlucky topic. they fell as
usual into an alteration, which was
kept up I'LL they reached the inn
where they had agreed to dine.
The dispute was continued over
bottle of wine, bnt with temper
on both sides; and the travellers
pursued their journey. Ernest re-
newed the subject OF their. former
conversation and both being rather
elevated with the wine they had Ia
ken, the dispute became more and
more went as they proceeded; SO
fhat by the tme they had entered a
Wocd ti1Ip4gh which their road led,
1t had 4 sanerAtsl INTO downright
personality and abuse. Georges
PASSION sney no bounds; uncon
scioQs Of @hat he did, he .pui.ed
OUT a pistol, md presented it 10
his co.ap-plion. ine iSsJol5Eent
off, and Ernest feil rom MS horse. I
which, frightened by ale report nd.
relieved from his rider, scHnpe ed
away into the wood Gre rg, lie
as death, immediately angAyld to
assist his friend, who was welter tag
inhis blood; the paroxlsm OF pas
sion was over, and had given place
TO the bitterest repentance. He
stopped trembling to Ernest, who
just then breathed his last sigh.
Overwhelmed with despair and
anguish, he tore his hair. and after
wards gallopped back re thepillage,
to surrender himself into the hands
of justice as the murderer of his
friend, that he might puta speedy
end 10 life, which was now the
most oppressive burthen to him.
The ofhcSrto whom he delivered
himself UP, sent him under a guard
to the town where his friends resi-
ded. The body of ernest, whose
pockets we're found riAcd, was also
conveyed thither and inferred.
The legal proceedings against
George commenced. He repeated
his confession before the Judges,
and implored a speedy death. His
examination was closed, and he
avs informed that he was atAberty
to chuse anadvocate to defend him,
as the law requires but he declined
to avail himself OF this privilege,
and with tears beSought the court
to hasten his execution.
Being, however, again urged to
appoint az advocate 70 conduct his
defence, he namcd hisfriend Lewis.
I" At the same time +" SAID be still
''there needs no defence; j wish
only for death; but I submit to the
required fornality. My friend
may undertake the bootless task,
and thus show his attachment to me
for the last time"
With profound emotion, Lewis
entered upon the most painful duty
that had ever fallen to his lot in his
whole professional career. Though
he despaired Of being able to save
his unhappy friend, he determined,
of course, to make every possible
fsftort fc ocrCr,, ,,Iisb tI,,,. ,,,,,I