The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-05-25

eiose to the judges. since clearly see that
there is no hope of pardon for me.-Death
dissolyes all ties in this world, and before
leave it forever, will rid it. one dangerous
wretch" The Judge who was present, and
to whom this circumstance was Immediately
reported, approached the scaffold; and after
he had heard the denunciation from the lips
of the delinquent, the execution of the SEN
tence, was deferred, and the criminal con-
Quoted back to prison. Here he was anew
examined the same day, and declared that K.
the locksmith above mentioned, had been
one of his most trusty accomplices, and been
concerned with him in the perpetrating OF
many robberies and murders.
The man was forthwith apprehended, and
as he persisted in the protestation of his inno-
cence, he was confronted with the culprit.
The precision with which the latter stated
to the accused times, places, and many 9TH
er particulars, and the hrmness with which
he looked him in the face, completely discon-
certed the poor fellow, and excited more and
more the suspicion of the judges, which was
farther strengthened by the consideration,
r. that there was no imaginable motive which
could have induced the criminal to prefer
false charge. The extreme dismay of
the accused was probably principal cir
cumstance in confirming the judges in the
belief that the locksmith was really an ac
complice of the convict. The judges, who
were almost morally certain of the guilt Of
the accused, had the less hesitation to recur
to the torture, for the purpose Of wringng
from him confession. He was delivered
over the same night to the executioner; but
unable to endure the torments of the Internal
contrivances, he declared, before the expira-
tion ct the first quarter OF an hour, that lie
was guilty. After this confession, his Judges
lost no time in pronouncing sentence which
purposed that he should suffer the same fate
as his accomplce but as he had performed
only a subordinate part in the crimes which
they had committed together he should be
executed first.
Amid the tolliEg of the bells and crowds
OF ofspectators, the train once more proceeded
to the place of execution and having reach
ed it, the eXecutioner's assistants were about
to throw the cord over the head of the sup
posed accomplce, when his accuser, who
stood by, again cried, as on the former occa-
sion, "Stop' adding, 81 wish to speak once
more to the Judge; let me be conducted to
him." The members Of the tribunal being
thus again assembled at the foot of the scat
fold, the presiding judge assembled to hear
what the delinquent had to say. In a loud
voice that could be heard by the whole
throng, he thus addressed him "This lock-
smith whom laccused, is perfectly innocent,
and my charge against him was false and
malicious invention. You will no doubt be
surprised, and at a loss to conceive what
could have induced me, in the last moments
OF my life to play such a trick. Learn then
that several OF my accomplices promis-
ed to rescue me from prison. As no attempt
had been made, when / stood here, the first
time ! could not help thinking that some un-
torseen obstacle must have prevented them
from keeping their promise, and that if
could but gain time, they might still carry
1t into effect: tor we keep our word to each
other, even though the way to Its fulflment
lay through hell itself. In this conviction,
bethought me on the morning was brought
hither, OF means to defer my execution.
Among the crowd drawn together on this
occasion, l espied this man at window. In
passing heard him say, ~ should like to
know how a man must feel under the gal
lows!" The idea darted like lightning thro'
my brain, to accuse him of being my accom-
plice, in order in this manner to delay nv
execution; and to prolong my lite a little.
NOW however | see that | must not reckon
any longer on my associates, being firmly
convinced that they must already have suf-
tered somewhere or other the fate which
here awaits me. have therefore resolved
to follow them, after doing this inquisitive
fellow" pointing to the smith, "the favor
OF gratifying his wish, before my end for
now he knows from experience ho7v man
feels svhen he stands beneath The gaHo7ys."
ne toen mounted the ladder, and submitted
quietly to his fate. The innocent locksmith
paid dearly for the too loud utterance of his
harmless wish. Fright and agony Of mind
put an end to his life OH the fourth day after
his liberation.