Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-12-31
hand was felled from his grasp, and in the

ina pursuing him. ooh! have mercy on
me, good Professionally, save, spare me,
bcscech you, from another execution = ex-
claimed the cuprit at length, in a faint, i'm
ploring tone.
My good friend replied the Professor,
Il am no cxecutoner-l would not for the
world be the means of taking your life ; and
If 1t be possible for me to save it., assure
you will exert every cndcavor in my pow
er to do so.'
A light was struck. The culprit fell upon
his knees and thanked the Professor for his
kind assurances. Complying with request
to be seated, and covering himself with IA
dressing gown handed him by tho Professor,
he became somewhat composed. The Pro-
frssor inquired the circumstances relative to
his crime and punishment.
Sir replied the culprt, am ofrcspec-
table connexions, stranger in the city.
have been guilty of indiscretion, and by bad
habits and bad company have dsgraccd
those whose name bear But of the crime
for which | was executed am entirely in
noccnt Without coin in my pocket, with
ont shelter, sought repose under an arch
in the market house, with the stones for nv
couch and pillow. there formed a firm
and resolutc determination to amend my
habits and alter the downward course to ruin
and destruction which | was pursuipg-,o
torsako the company of the indolcnt and
proiligate-io abstain rosoutely from all nv
former rniqui,ics, and return to the bosom Of
my home and my parents, and seek some
honorable and profitable employment, and
live in happiness and responsibility the re.
maindcr of my days. How precious were
these moments Of relccion-how I lonred
to see the dawn of another day withdrawn
hope fondly dreamed would place me- on
the road TO honor and prosperity. | cursed
the day and the hour first had listened to
the voice of temptation, and called upon the
name OF the Great Supreme to forgive nv
past behaviour. and to keep and protect me
from the company Of the evil and the vicious.
while the purple stream of life circed within
my veins. had never before entertained
thoughts Ike these. Oh! how sweet were
my first moments Of repentance Now, !
was left destitute Of money, my clothes rao
gcd and ,attercd, without friends. and snr-
rounded hy those who cared or thought moth
iug OF my welfare, was left to the full rcali
ZalIon ct my condition. contemplated the
Idnrksome prospects which awaited me slould
! continue in the course which bad already
launched mo on the very verge If drstruc-
tion, and praised the name Of my Maker that
had been providcniallv awakened to =
sense of my dcplorahc condition. On the
other band, reflected upon the conscoucn-
ces derived from an industrious and honest
liie-thc pleasures Of temperance and dis.
erection, and the cndrarmcnts of social and
domestic felicity. called upon heaven 70
witness my fidelity to the solemn vow had
taken, and with the pleasing authorizations of
future welfare and happiness, | gently sunk
10 rest.
What pleasing visions Of prosperity and
comfort passed before me in those few sweet
hours of rorosr Oh, wla. fearful con.
trasi do they present to the awful conse-
qnences that awaited me. | awokc vI,h
the rising sun entertaining the same spn,i-
mrnts and feelings which had given to m,
discouraged spirit on the prc,io night. such
unwonted dranolis Of pleasure and hope.
l'"fi'ec!y arose from my marble rcstinc-place
ana with emotions Of heartfelt gratitude and
alteration for my protection and preservation
through the night, departed from the place.
had, however, scarcely advanced two pa
ces when my cOntemplations were intcrrl,p,
ed ny ii confusion Of voices and the sound
OF approaching footsteps, from behind.
turned to look at thcm but imagine NV
consideration and establishment on scrino
myself almost Immediately surrounded by
the men, whom from their appearance !
readily took to be city authorities, looking
fiercely and Indignantly on me, u;tcIiug tie
most liorrid and vile mprecatiuns. and hold
ing before my distracted sight a biood-stain-
ed bar of iron, and some burgers impe-
mon's which they had picked from eff the
floor, Immediately beside where had beer
sleeping through Tie night. | collected all
the resolution | could muster, and caml,
asked why had been thus molested1 /
was told that was ack-hcarted murderer
ii ilcnd-a scoundrcl--a midnight robhcr:
and many 9th sl... liar rpilhrts were heapcd
upon me which my extreme agitation and
my overpowered feelings have prevented me
from retaining in my memory. | could
support myself no longer--l sunk sensrless
to the gronnd--and when | revived it was
within the walls of prison-hous where |
mad been placed to await my trial.
Dccming my fate inevitable if remained
III prison, looIIShly projected an escape,
which failed when put into execution, and
only served 10 strengthen the evidence of
my gtili. My conviction and sentence fol
lowed soon after, and yesterday | was pub
!icly executed, as supposed, with another
who had been sentenced 10 die at the same
Tine or else have just awakened from
long delrium.'
'OI your execution replied the PROBES
scr, there can be no doubt. If you are IN
nocent, the workings of IA mysterious Proyi-
dcnce have preserved you. Let This adyen-
tnr', and your escape from the ignominious
death to Which you were sentenced, be
solemn warning to- you. ] am at loss villa,
10 DO WIN WI You here. If you 60 out of doors
You will he recognized By the police.
The other answered only with a shudder
ana deep drawn sigh. AT length, the Pro-
iessor inquired, with an air of scientific in
qairy,-' Can you describe to me the seosa-