Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-08-11

souled fellow, and | want you to go
with me.
! "Where to ~ ! asked.
"To the magistrate" he replied.
"What for Z"
''I've got something on my mind
must out tried liquor last night
but couldn't keep ii Down. amt a
\ drinking man no how, and feel like a
dog. Come along with me and be my
/ friend"
There was a bold frankness in his
manner that | could not withstand. |
accordingly arose and equipped myself,
and we walked to the house of a ma
gistrate, who sent word he would be
up in a couple of hours.
! "But tell him." said my companion
to the servant, 81 want to see him on
4 matter ofliie and DEATH"
"Da's no use o dat,'' grinned the
slave; 'smasss don't care bout life or
/ death till he git he sleep out"
We left the house, but John Rox as
he called himself, did not allude to his
pressing business more than to say,
"when you see the judge you will know
ALL"
We returned to breakfast, and / OBJ
served my companion refused the morn
ing dram presented to him by the land
lord, and eat sparingly. Something
was evidently preying on his mind and
anxiously awaited the hour to hear
it developed.
The time came, and we were admit
ted to the presence of the dispenser Of
justice, who was man ofwealth, good
spirits, and rotundity of person.
SWELL" said the judge, what's the
mater? 2"
"Why you see," said Rox, ebay be
fore yesterday | staid at c. all day, IL
hadn't conlonnded cent, and as |
] wouldn't chsel | went without eating.
Yesterday morning started off hun
Cry as panther, and as | rode along,
| thinks what am to do? Pm above
cheating any man out of a dinner, but
dinner | must have. Just then a fell
low came riding along on the road. ]
talked TO him and tried to borrow,
swearing to pay him at such place in
a week; but the critter told me he paid
his way ofhis own pocket, and he had
too little to divide. F"
GLOW much have you got" says |.
"Two-ffiy," says he.
"Now," thinks !, ''that is too little
to divide. SO while be was looking "a
nother way, shoots him through the
head and gin him as decent a burial as
| could under an old log, and took the
two dollars and half; but it won't
do, my conscience mlsgives me. lam
sorry for it, and wish the felIer had
his money back if he could only be "a
live; but between you and ], as its too
late for that think | ought to be hung.
The judge called his black boy, or
dered three pipes and tobacco and we
smoked in silence.
"Then you really think you ought
to be hung" he asked with some COM
passion, as he Whitfield cloud Of smoke
towards the ceiling.
81 do, in fact" answered John, e.
hitting a similar volume Of the same
gas.
The Judge smoked and considered
again.
"Well we'll try to hang YOU" he
added.
There was gratitude in Johns eye,
as he answered,
"Thank you, that'll ease my con-
science"
The Judge knocked the ashes from
his pipe and spoke,
DWELL come here in halfan hour. |
will try to get jury"
Rox and myselflaying our pipes on
the table, were about leaving when the
Judge asked us TO take drink, which
having done, we babe him good morn
ing.
In halfan hour we returned when
we found twelve men smoking and
drinking, with the magistrate, awaiting
US. We were politely requested to SIT
down.
"Now," said Judge T, address
sing himself to Rox, "tell these gentle.
men what you have already told me. ;"
Whereupon, Rox made the same
statement.
"Now, gentlemen," continued the
first speaker, 81 wish you to say II this
conference.-the. Rox your name 's--
eh !-well-there's some fine old bran
dy, make yourself perfectly at home
whether you find John Rox guilty OF
murder. In addition to what he has
said, have sent out and found the bo-
dy just as he has described"
The jury smoked, rose up, took
little brandy and water, and smoked
apain, until at last one Of them, wRo