Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-10

a.... h IL.
"But we must talk OF it, we must" ex
claimed the old man. "ln spite Of all tina
felt, it's what came for. If would dl'
easy. | must know the truth; and | hav,
come here, Harry, to beg, TO conjars yol
to tell it,"
"You have heard it already" said Har
ry, sadly.
"No, no, Harry, have not. | know
have not" said he, shut you will tell 1t Il
me now"
Harry Blake turned his head away, anc
was silent.
"Harry, my dear boy" said the old man
cronching at his feet, and pressing hi
forehead against his knees, "my own deal
bow, do confess to me. 1t will render
moro happy life that is nearly spent tC
have my statement. confirmed from your
lips. Don't be afraid Of me, Harry; fol
here swear, in the presence of God who
made us both, that will not reveal what
YOU tell me. Indeed will not. Come,
Harry, come"
"Caleb," said Blake, passing his hand
kindly over the old mans head, "from my
soul pity you; but cannot lie."
"You pity mei' said the old man, ris-
ing. sam / the one to be pitied? No, no,
not qnite so bad as that; not quite so bad
as that. rI not believe it, say what you
will. With my own eyes, Harry, | saw
YOU commit that murder. Indeed did
indeed | did,"
Blake shook his head; "You think so, |
know you think so; I'll do you that justice.
But your eyes deceived you. It's useless
10 dwell on this now. You have done what
the law made your duty, in telling what
YOU believed to be the truth. | should have
had to do the same myself; AMI | freely
forgive you"
"No, no, Harry" said Grayson, with
childish queru!ousness, "lhis will not do i.
Why will you not tell the truth? You can
not be saved now All hope is past. Come,
there's good fellow. You met--you quar-
rcIled-words grew high-he attacked
you,-anG finally you-you stabbed him.
IIa! ha! that was the way of it, wasn't
it? A man will do many things when his
blood's up, which he wouldn't at another
time. You hot blood couldn't bear all that
he sail. 1t was natural, and think par
donable; indeed | do" He placed his
hands on Blake's shoulders, and looking
imploringly in his face, whilst his voice
changed from its assumed tone of vivacity
to one of the deepest sadness. "llarry,
wasn't it so! Tell me, my own dear boy,
wasn'. it so! You know you quarrelIed
with him at the tavern"
81 did, indeed,' said Harry, gloomily,
"God forgive me for it,"
Sand you swore that you would have re-
vcnge if it cost you your life"
SIT was an impious speech" replied
Blake in grave tone, 'and feartully has 1t
been visited upon me-"
You left the tavern" continued Gray
son eagerly, "took the same road which he
had taken; came up with him"
"And found him de,dn' said Blake.
"lli not believe it! It's not true," ex-
claimed the old man, striding up and down
the room with his hands clasped logeth-
er. sits not true. On! Harry, it's horri'
BILE to go to the grave persisting in a
lie."
"Hark!" said Blake, as tho voices o.
persons approaching the were heard. "l's
the hour, and they are coming for mel
Good bye"
"One word, Harryr' exclaimed the ole
10 ~ y,,, nniItv 10
"Nom replied Blake, with an earnes
emphasis.
The next moment the door was open
ed, and Blake was summoned to g
forth.