Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-08-25

II
man insisted, belsre the coari, UPON telling
his whole story; and, when would have Ia
ken advantage Of same technical points, ne
sharply rebuked me, aud told me that ne had
not employed me to prevaricate, but only to
assist him in telling the truth. had never
seen such display of simple integrity. IL
was Al etiag to witness bis love Of holy, un-
vanished truth, eIeyating him above every
other consideration, and presiding in his
breast as a sentiment ever superior to the
love of life. | saw the tears more han once
sp-inging to the eyes Of bis judges; never,
before or since, have felt such an interest
IN client plead for him as would have
plead for my own life. drew tears. bat
could not sway the judgment of stern men,
controlled rather by sense Of duty than the
compassionate promptings OF humanity
Stedman was condemned | told him there
was chance Of pardon il he would ask for
it. drew up a petition. and requested him
TO signit; but he refused II have done, .
said he "what | thought my duty. | can
ask pardon of my God, and my king; but it
would he hypocrisy to ask forgiveness Of these
men, for an action which | should repeat,
were placed again in similar circumstances
Mol ask me not to sign that petition II
what you call the cause Of American free
dom requires the blood of an honest man for
a conscientious discharge of what he deemed
his duty, let me be its victim. Go to my judg.
es. and tell them that | place not my fears
nor my hopes in them y 1t was 10 vain that
! pressed the subject; and | went away il
despair.
In returning 10 my house, ! accidentally
called on an acquaintance, young man o.
brilliant genius. the subject Of "A passionate
prediction for painting This led him FIRE
gdently to take excursions into the country
for the purpose OF sketchlng such object:
and scenes as were interesting 10 him. From
| one of these rambIes he had Just returned
found him sitting al bis easel, giving the
last touches to the picture hlch attracted
his attention He asked my opiuion Of it
SIT is liue picture" said /, us it fancy
piece. or are they psriraits?" "They are
| portraits said he; land. save perhaps lit
| tie establishment, they are, think striking
| portraits sf the wife and children OF your un
fortunate client, Stedman. In the course o
my rambles, CHANGED to call at his house N
IL. lneyer saw a more beautiful group
fhe mother IS one Of thousand, aud the
twins are pair of cherubs "Iell me,
| SAID |, laying my hand on the picture. ''iel
me, are they true and faithful portraits Of the
wife and children OF Stedmanm My ear
nestness made my friend stare. He assured
me that, 50 far as be could he permitted ia
judge OF his own productions, they were
striking representations. asked no lurtheI
| qae:tisns, | seized the picture, and hurIiee
with 1t to the prison where my client was con
fined found him sitting, his face corereo
with his hands, and apparently wrUns b,
keen emotion placed the picture in sucl
a situation that he could not fail to see it
laid the petition on the lIttie table by his side
and left fhe room
In half an hour returned. The farmer
grasped ray hand, while tears stole down hi.
cheeks; his eye glazed first upso the picture
! and then 10 the petition He said nothing
handed the latter to me. | took it, and LETT
the apartment. He had put his name TO it,
The petition was granted, and Stedman was
set at liberty.