Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-05-28
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY IS, 1885.

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kept him occupied in discourse until
he supposed the judge had found time
TO carry his plan, whatever IT might
be, into effect.
The Judge, in the mean time, eager
To insure the remainder of the sum
promised, had formed his project; APP
plicatioa SO late TO the prince he knew
was not. only useless. but might bring
discredit and suspicion on himself, as
he had reported the case, from the
commencement, as one altogether un-
worthy OF mercy. and as calling for a
severe and awful example. Sending
for the gaoler,who kept a watch over the
prisoner during the night, and wa, con-
sidered as 4 sufficient guard, from the
latter being heavily ironed and the
chapel within the prison walls, where
a single call would immediately bring
eflectual assistance, he pretended TO
have still some doubts respecting the
guilt Of the young man. and feigned
himself anxious TO know If he had
yet made an open avowal of his crime
the disclosures made TO his spiritual
advisers being as our readers are aware,
under the sacred seal Of confession
never in the most distant manner 10 be
alluded to much less divulged, with
out mourning the guilt Of sacrilege.-
Having heard the mans reply, the
Judge, unde- pretence of retiring TO
his library 10 consult some authorities
on the subject, Left the room, directing
hum on no account 10 move from the
spot before his return.
This done, he lost not an instant in
proceeding to the prison! entering the
chapel, he told the young man, whom
he found in q state of extreme mental
agitation, brought on by the horrors of
his situation waycrng between the
fear Of approaching death. and the
hope, slight as il was, held out TO him
by his father, that there was still a
chance of safety for him provided he
complied Immediately and exactly with
his directions-"I am now about" he
sand, to release YOU from your letters
but you must be aware, in an island
so limited in extent as that Of Malta,
there is not the slightest chance of your
escaping the vigilance and research of
the officers Of justice, alert as they
will naturally be; the instant you are
found missing from these walls. take
therefore this dagger" and he drew
one from under his vest; proceed
instantly to the cofce-house, in which
YOU committed the murder-it is not
too late, you will certainly find people
there at this hour-enter boldly. take
good care that you are seen and recog-
nized by all present, then resolutely
plunge the weapon into the body of
the person nearest you, and immedi-
ately escape, leaving the stiletto in
the wound, return hither with all pos
sible speed, and leave the rest to me
but recollect that every thing depends
on your dexteriiy and despatch.
The criminal, though Just trembling
on the verge Of eternity, and fresh
from the pious exhortations of minis
Ter Of that God whose laws he had al
ready so heinously offended, readily
consented, at the suggestion of the
willy judge, to cover himself from the
consequences Of one murder by the
commission Of another still more afro
cious. He took the knife and left the
chapel. His Internal adviser remain
ed behind in a state of anxiety and
agitation few minutes relieved him
from his suspense, the coffee house was
not far distant from the quarter in
which the prison was situated. The
young man returned confused and
trembling as persons recent from the
commission OF any dreadful offence are
wont. Having ascertained the success
OF has abominable Vaccinations, the
Judge carefully Teconsigned the muir
derer to his felters, and recommending
secrecy and presence of mind for has
own sake took his leave. ~
With hurried and irregular steps he
had rushed into the coffee house. the
scene OF his former crime his bag.
gard counienance, his violent emo
'N"Ff wv "hN Stahtf W U.s. -un&ettieQ
eye, instantly drew the attention of ali
present, as he stood for a moment the
object Of their gaze. An exclamation
OF wonder ran rOund--It was surely
the prisoner under sentence Of death
No--ihat was impossible: vet how re-.
markable a Likeness The desperate
man gave them but little time for
question OF conjecture, before, turning
rapidly round, he plunged his dag ,er
into the bosom Of an unhappy indisid-
usl who was sanding near the door.
aud disappeared with the rapidly N
lightning: hia unfortunate victim tell
immediately, uttcnng a feeble crv.-
Medical astt8uce wa, at hand, bat Boz
home va, the thru & that in aicw mi.
nutes hc was alresdy corpse The
unexpoctednes, aud suddcnncss Of the
blow. Use confusion and alarm Of the
ichplicr,, who we're fixed 20 the spot
~ terror ssd amszcmcni. cdeclually
precludcd any attempt to arrest the as.
atsln.
4 murder % openly and daringly