Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-24

people towards the door; but instead OF that, at
tention was directed to an individual sitting on
bench at the right Of the prisoners box. Chang
Ing our position, we had full view Of him, and
we will now attempt sketch Of his person:
The man was about Is years of age, and bore
those marks upon his visage which denoted
that labor and exposure had aided time IN his
work. As he sat. his body leaned forward to an
angle Of about As degrees. his right hand was
resting on staff. and in his left, but lying on the
bench was bag. His dress was Of the most or
binary kind, his beard had not that length which
adds dignity to age. nor was it sufficiently short
to denote any recent attention to personal com
forts; a few stray white hairs were hanging
straight down from under coarse cap, with
which his head was covered. Recent conhne.
ment had given more than common paleness to
his visase. and unusual dimness to his eye.-
"Jacob," said the Judge. IN a tone in which
feeling for the aye and wants of the prisoner had
evidently obtained the mastery over the stern.
ness of Justice" Jacob, you have been found
guilty OF stealing quantity of poultry"
Jacob turned his dim eye towards the Judge,
and slowly shook his head, while his fingers play
ed nervously upon his bag and cane.
"The jury has pronounced you guilty." again
said the Judge in tone which conveyed doubt
whether the Door old man understood the nature
Of his situation.
81 heard them," said Jacob; I" though never
intended to steal from any man, whatever my
wants MA = have been, md they have been maynard
pressing. never Intended to lake what was not
my own. have lived Is wears IN the same neigh
bood, and-and- Jacob had evidently
lost the thread of his remarks, he looked about
as if to catch some hint by which to be enabled
to proceed. but he was unsuccessful; he shook
his head again, and cast his eyes upon the floor.
"The court" said the Judge, 10 tone OF kind
ness, " have considered the circumstances Of
your case, and pronounce the following sentence3
acknowledgements" said Jacob rapidly, las
he again sazed on the Judge; sentence-l have
Iabored for family, have fought Tor the coun-
try, have paid taxes for the state. and AIN no"
to be sentenced. WIN is he that can say that
Jacob - ever wronged him in IS years!
appeal" continued he, in low trembling voice,
- apDea, to Frederic G --- and William
-, who we're boys and men with me, whe.
Their have been charged with cTime-let them
speak for me-"
They are both dead" said the oAcer.
"Drad" said the old man.
Eyes"
So they are-I had forgotten-they have
been dead these ten years But no man, dead
or alive, ever heard me accused OF wrong doing
till this charge was made; and what had to do
with the fowIsl-I could have lived without
them, or at least | could have died without them
II needed not ~ steal them. Steal! did not
steal them"
Again Jacob seemed to forget his subject; he
talked Oh Incoherently, until he seemed weary,
when the Judge again prepared to pronounce the
| sentence.
N ..., Sc ,ny raIa tiona - said Ia
cob - but that now remember that they are
dead also-they are all dead"
When he was again silent, the Judge said to
the officer, take the old man to the prison, aud
let him uaif there so days. (the shortest time al
lowed BY law for his oAence) and let there be en-
dorsed on the committa, an order for MIN to be
admitted to the Aims House as soon as the so
DAYS are passed"
jacob rose when the officer approached him,
but II was evident that he had paid but little at
tenticn TO the sentence. He took up his bsg. and
az he was moving out of the coz room, he multer
| ed. Is seutepce-I did not steal" tie raised
his eyes TO the crowd that were gazing upon him
| "a slight hectic flush passed over his vlsage-he
repeated, " but THEY are aHdead," and then be-
gan his journey to the prison.
| For more than 70 years. it seemed that jacob
had mingled with society, man and BOY; ne haa
been known as honest; no temptation had caused
him to swerve FROM the track of duty, and he had
grown up and old, with none to galn'ay his Gre
dit Chihood's sunny years, the long eternity
of boyhood. youths gay sallies, and mans sober
occu 1atious, had all come and gone. and Jacob
had passed through all unscathed by serious cen
sure, unmarked BY premedtated guiIt-and on
the very threshold Of his coffin, slipping as 1t
were intohis grave, with almost four score years
upon him, in an unsusrded hour, he made ship
wreck his whole voyage, and, in sight Of port, sunk
into intamy.
DO parents, guardians see nothing in Jacobs
late. his oniy error, upon which to build caution
for their offspring and their charger We all, it
is hoped, hedge about our children with con.
stan, prcept and ~holesome example, and fix their
influence BY earnest PRAYER. And we should
make them act from p, inciple. We should make
honesty not policy. not calculation. buta first
movement; the instructive feeling and prompting
Of the mind; and this must come from sure
long continued watchings-habitusl watchngs.
Y