The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-05-27
MtSreIIIMen It's.
THE RIFLE.
BY THE LATE WILLIAM LEGG EFT,


Our horo, while Buckhorn was speaking, had
time 10 reflect that if Silvesisht indeed dead,
circumstances would really authorse his arrest
The ride, which he was known to have carried
with him from town, had been found, II seems,be-
side the murdered body. The money lint the I'M
fortunate man had entrusted to HIM, was discover
ed in his p)ssessiun aud how could it be proved
for VIVA, purpose it had been given 10 him AS
these tho u shls rushed rapidly through his nlnd he
turned 10 the officer, and observed.
Mr. Pike, Yield myself your prisoner, perceive
that there are some circumstances that cause sus-
picon to TEST upon me. must rely, for Il
WHILE upon the character which, | trust, have
acquired since my residence among you, for honor
unl fair Dealing until | shall either be enabled to
pro, my innocence, or Heaven places in the hands
Of Justice the real perpe,rator of the deed.
So saying, he gathered up the money from the
table, and departed with the officer and his com
panions, to the house Of Mr. Lawlon, who being II
Justice OF the peace, had issued IL warran, lol his
apprehension.
Il have always been glad to SEQ you heretofore,
Doctor Rvnglon,' said the magistrate, pn'ltely,o
the appearance Of thar person before hlnl, and
should be so now, were il not that you are charged
with crime, which, if proved, will call down the
severest vengeance Of the law hope, aud believe
however, that you can establish your innocence,
Where were you, sir, on tha afternoon oiyester-
day.
Il went out to visit some patients, meaning
TO continue NV ride as Ear as Buckhorns; aud took
bis ride with me from the gunslnh's, with the
intention of stopping aud leaving it, but net with
old Me- Silvsrsisht at the cross roads, who was
going up from the New Settlements and he Offer
ing TO take charge of il, give 1t TO him. We par.
ted at the fork, and crossed over to NJ: Wood
worlh's'
did Mt Siversisht continue on his journey,
havins jim Buckhorn's rifle with him ? asked the
justice.
yes, sir; bu, before we separated he give me
this money handmg the notes AMI specie - The
magistrate, 'and requested me TO pay 1t into The
land ,o.ice to-day, To clear out Mr. Rlchy's land,
lie sad there were five hundred dollars in all, and
was counting it when arrested
There il n most nniorunlic coincidence of cir
cunlstInccs against YOU, Doctor. The man Is
found murdered the rifle which YOU were known
to have carried lying near hln and you arrive IN
town on the next day with the money OF the de-
ceased IN yOnr possession. The poor Old man
h,rsG roini home without his rider, eSctes alarm
BiG;horu and Carlo: *. with other nnighbIfs, sci
out upon the track; they find the murdered victim
scarcely whittier than his aged he'd; th1y divide
some bearing the body back, while the Others fol-
low on The trail; il leads them 10 Mr. Wentworth :
where you acknowledge yon passed the nighttime,
there inquire whit person made the track wheel
they hid followed, aud were answered it was you
thev continue on your trail until YOU arrive II
town: they make affidavit Of these Facts, and pro
cure yOu; arrest, when; 10 complete the cham o
evidence. you are found counting the -pol's Of tn
murdered man. Now sir, what answer can yOt
make to these appalling circumstances
'rh,y are appalling, indeed, sir said our hero
'ani can only reply to them-i an innocent,
the poor min was murdered, the one who did It
mast certainly have left tracks; ana | fear they
have fallen upon his trail, and taken II for mine. =
But it Is ia NV power TO prove that had no wcap
on with me, except that unlucky rlile,ind the gnn
smith will leaify that he gave me no balls with 1t.
The gnnsnllh has already been before me
said Sgita Lawton, for WAS 10th To have YOU n[
prshenied except Oh an application backed b
sich proof as could not be rrjnced. lie state
that wh,n he gave YOU the gun, the lock had bee
replitcI, ana polished, aud that since that time
has ccri,inly been diSchlrg'd. am sorry to d
il, SIR. but my duty c0inpe's ne 10 commit yon.'
II is needless 10 dwell longer upon this exam
nation. Our hero was committed for trial, and $
strong were the proofs adlnced against him, tn
the magistrates, and, indeed, the whole ncshbo
hood could scarce hesitate 10 believe him gullty.-
When tn. sun arose that morning, Charles Riyin:
ton was one Of the happes Of men. Loving an
beloved, his business increasing, his nlme Ie"ptt
ted, and the time rapidly approaching which wi
10 bind him TO his Catherine in the tender relation
ship Of marriage-hc lonkcd back upon the gl1fioJ
orb, aud il burst up through the eastern heaven
with IN eyc Of almost kindred brightness. iio
chlngad the scene at its setting! its last rays ir
upjr him through the iron guarded windnv of
prison. Yet could we examine into the soul Off
Young man rs he lay in one corner Of the sna
and noisome apartment, on bed OF straw that ha
been spread for former inmate, we should fin
perhaps, though surrounded by the greatest dan.
the danger Of dying an ignonnious deah, ar
having a blot left fbrever upon his memory II
was still serene and hippv. And why was this
lie had companion in that dreary place, VIII,
acquaintance had been sought in the hours of pro
psry, and who now, in the darkness of lroubl
did noi depart; comp ,nion that can cheer am
the revtuIgS of world, can pierce through Il
bars Of dungeon, and whisper 10 the desponlil
spirit, Blessed are they that mourn. for they shi
be comforted.'
Charles Rivington was one ofthe too small nun
her Of young men who are not ashamed to be r
lirions; 'and verify he had his reward. The me
wording similarly situated, would have been LOT
in imprecations, or dumb with agony; but he, u
borne by conscious innocence, AN knowing that n
sparrow falls to the ground without The will
oar heavenly Father. humbed himself in pray
before that being. who is mighty to save unto Il
ut,ermri,;' aud he arose from the exercise wi
those ,ranquilised and invigorated feelings, whit
ere L, Inevitable result