Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-06

were about resuming their seats. xb.n
the company was startled by the re-
peated cries Of MURDER. All rush,a
To the porch, whence the mul,i,ud.
was seen collecting with torches IN IN,
grove. What could exceed the hor.
ror Of all present when il was ascer-
tanned that Matilda's corpse had been
discovered in thicket covered with
wounds, and near her were found tho
dagger, hat and cloak Of Lafarge!
Early next morning a soroner's in
quest was held over the body-and,
painful rs II was 10 the feelings Of tho
Jurors, their verdict was Of such ana
turc that Lafarge was duly committed
10 await his trial at the ensuing ses-
sion. Although the best counsel WIS
employed that the State could afford.
the eircumstantial evidence was so
conclusive, and the character Of the
prisoner was SO generally disliked,
that little doubt was entertained of his
guilt. Unfortunately his quarrel with
Matilda on the public road, before a
crowd OF people-and his momentum
absence from the mansion shortly be-
Tore the marriage ceremony, had n ia
tai influence on the minds Of the Ju-
iry-aecordingly. after few momen f.
dei'bcratioD, they unanimously sent in
verdict Of Gully Of Murder in the
Jrsf degrec--and sentence Of death
was pronounced by the Judge in tho
most solemn and feciing manner.
When the day Of execution arrived.
the only difficulty which remained was
to provide q person who would perform
the terrible behests Of the law du-
ty which, in default Of u regular hang
man, falls TO the sheriff. Whilst a con
sultation was being held OIL the sub
jeet, . stranger appeared in the coun-
Gil room dressed IN a fantastic manner,
with an enormous wig of bushy curls,
and his face stained in such q way al
TO give him still more hideous expres-
sion OF eountenance. This person
age made voluntary offer of his SER
vices a. an executioner, saying that
such had been his occupation in his
own country, and he Just at that mo-
ment was IN want Of employ ment.-
HIS services were readily accepted
The scaffold was erected in the ;ail
yard--and by the hour Of I 9. the crowd
which covered the immediate vicinity,
and the hills adjacent 70 the prison,
was immense beyond calculation. The
prisoner soon made his appearance &C
companied by two priests, who en-
deavored to sootbe his dying agonies
with the consultations Of religion. lie
persisted TO the last moment in deny-
ing his guilt-and his parting words
to the divine who accom- panied him
upon the soafi'old, were q solemn pro-
tsstaiion of his innocence. When all
was ready, the hangman made the pri-
soner stand on the drop. Before no
drew the cap over his face, he said,
Sir, you perhaps do not recollect me:'
Nc, Sir, who are you:' lie then put
hIs mouth to Laiarge's ear, and whis-
Pered IN tone which curdled the blood
IN his veins:--'I Sir, am Ci0ranni,
whose wife you debauched, and whose
family you disgraced. have but one
word to add continued he, cycling his
assistant who was awaiting the fatal
signal below: Il stabbed the guilty
Matilda with your own dagger! I
placed your cloak and hat near the
body, aud then gave the alarm of muir
DER Monster.' exclaimed Lalarge,
and made struggle to get loose-bus
Giovanni grasped him by the throat
and stamped upon the scafioId; tho
bolt was pulled from the drop; and
the wretched victim Was launched into
eternity. ID.