Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-05-28
M1sCELLANY.
From the London -Nsirepoiii4n.
THE CORRUPT JUDGE.

Towards the middle of the last GEN.
fury daring murder was committed
IN a coffee-h in Valletta, (Malta)
by young man, the son OF people in
respectable circumstances, who, hav-
ing words with another on a very
slight proyocation drew out knife and
stabbed him mortality; he then made
his escape, but was captured next day
by the officers of the police. Not
withstanding the testimony of several
witnesses 10 the fact, and other con-
yincing circumstantial evidence against
hun, the prisoner persisted Indeed his
only feasible defence) in denying his
having been the person who had in
fiicted the wound he even underwent
the torture of the cavaletto, which |
have elsewhere described, without
coming to Observation-Disclosures
ing this pertinacity, the presiding
Judge satisfied by the evidence brought
forward, condemned him to DEATH
Petitions and supplications were made
to no purpose to the judge for his inter-
cession with the Grand Master, and
TO that prince himself for PARDON
The time allotted being expired, the
criminal, as is the custom in Malta,
was removed three days previous TO
execution tito the condemned chapel,
where, with a spiritual adviser, people
IN that unhappy situation pass the few
sad minutes remaining TO them in the
Offices ofreligion, preparing themselves.
by conjunction and prayer, for that
pardon in the next world, from which
human policy excludes them in this.
Two Of these trying days had passed,
when the father OF the criminal. per-
suading himself that even yet a par
don might be obtained for his 500,
could he but succeed in engaging the
influence Of the judge who had con.
demned him in his favor, on the even
ing preceding the day on which the
sentence was TO be carried into exc
cuiion, presented himself, Just as it
darkened, at the door Of that function
airy. Admi,tance was at first refused :
but doucer 10 the servant soon opened
both the door and the ear Of the Judge
10 the supplicant. An abrupt mega
tive had been already gwen IN terms
the most unequiyo,al al, when the dis
iresscd parent, taking from under ms
cloak bag containing one thousand
Maltese crowns, a large sum Tor the
time and place, put It on the table.
giving the Judge 10 understand That
double the amount should be- forth.
coming 10 the event Of PARDON be-
ing granted 10 bis unhappy son.
The Judge renamed w eycral mi
nutes silent an absorbed IN thought
at length told the father in allow voice.
but PLAIN TERMS that late as Il now a..
and dimcult from that snd other CIR.
cuiasianres. BE- would ii'l, though the
result vas Tar from certain. do b. best
10 avert tie ciuel doom impending
over the young man. Ahcr a htie
further confederation BE- dismissed him
with an order Of admission 10 ihe PR.
son, Where, under The prciexi Oftakine
la last leave Of bis child, b. was "a
devise some plan fur getting the priest
out Of the way, and deian him a.
long as possible, N order 70 have the
Judge sufficient time znd feer scope
for putting into execution a design
which be bad already coreeived.--
Somewhat consoled and ielying on
the judge ingenuity. the father relr-
ed. Complying with tle directions
given him, he saw bis son engaged
the priest TO accompany him home and