Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-10
Number l3.


but that he's innocent. The love of lie
must be strong in him, for until now ne
YER thought that he would lie, even 10
save his life. But he is not innocent
no-no, he is not; for I saw him do I'll
saw him. The love of life is very strong.
1t must be, or Harry Blake would not
lie."
A slight, sneering smile fitted across the
face of the stranger, as he turned rom
the speaker, and looked among the du,l
embers of the fire, without speaking' IL
was dim, dreary room, and its distant
corners were lost in darkness; and inc
frame of the stranger, as he sat between
the andirons, threw a gigantic, sPectrai
shadow on the wall, that seemed to nave
something ominous about it, and taken III
connection with the gloomy nature oil ihe
conversation, and the cold Indifference OF
the stranger, and his wild, forbiddlng air,
seemed to have thrown chill OH all about
him. For he sat there, buried IN deep
thought, with his eyebrows knit, ana MS
lips working, as with suppressed emotioh'
those who had hitherto Rugged the fire be-
gan slowly to widen the distance between
themselves and their ill-omened visiter;
to scan his person, as if there were more
in it than met the eye, and to watch his
tall shadow on the wall, as if there were
something about it more than appertain-
ed to shadows in general. Still they
spoke not, until the object of their So
liciude, as if concluding long mental
discussion, drew a heavy breath,and rising,
said:
'Well, let him die. It's as well. Others
have died in the same way"
Turning to a sort of under-barkeeper,
who oficated in the absence of Gar
ret. he said: "See to my horse, will
you? And now show me to my room, and
wake me at sunrise. shall not breakfast
here"
) Those collected about the fire watch
, ed him as he followed the attendant
out of the room, and shut the door after
: them.
"What do you think OF that man, MIR.
4 Tompkns?" said one of them to small
man in an ample vest and contracted small
clothes
n "Come, come, none of that" said tie
4 small man, with an air of suspicious stub
= bornness. "Don't be trying 10 make me
C commit myself by asking questions" AS
he spoke he fiyeI his eyes obstinately on
e his own finger nals--not that they were
particularly clean or ornamental.
Cant you speak your own mind mani"
: said the other peltishly.
k Still the small man ogled his nails.
d "Wel, them" said his companion, an
tell YOU what think. Think" said he,
b sinking his voice, and placing the back of
: his hand to the corner Of his mouth, by way
r of indicating the extreme confidence, IL
+ think he won't he drowned"
o "Ah!" said the small man, 'if that's all,
c | think so myself"
e And having settled this matter to their
mutual satisfaction, they rose TO go, a mo-
b ton in which they were followed by all
v except Caleb Grayson, who, long after
e they were me, and the room was silent
n and deserted, sat there, with heavy
heart at the part which law had forced him
# 10 take in the legal murder which was to
e take place on the morrow. At last he start
v ed up as il sudden thought had struck
" him, and finding his way to the stable, sad
n died his horse and rode off.
1t was dark night. Black clouds were
IS drifting across the sky, obscuring it, and
c together with the tall trees and forests
IS which in places overhung the road, rem
d dering it pitchy dark. In defiance Of the
threatening Look OF the sky and The obscu-
Q rity of the road, the old man kept steadily
q on for several hours, neither pausing to
rest his beast nor 10 refresh himself, until
IF it was broad daylight when he arrived at
e large wooden building. Stopping for
l the first time, he fastened his horse to
II the gate, and crossing small yard, as
&c cended flight Of steps and entered the
hall.
IS A guard was pacing up and down there;
70 and near him, on wooden bench, sat an
old man rea1ing WORKOUT Bible.
& Scan see Blake" demanded Grayson
IS of the old man.
II ayes, yes, suppose you cam" replied
e he, putting aside his book; ave orders to
l admit his frieuds-a sad business-a sad
s business-and he the flower of the coun.
try round. All, neighbor Grayson, who
IL would have thought it,"
= Caleb Grayson made no reply 10 the re-
g marks in which the old man INDUCED, I'M
IS tai he opened the door of the room or cell,
10 and pointed to Bake, seated at small
le wooden table within.
= Blake rose as the old man entered, and
81 extended his hand to him.
"1bis is kind, Ca!eb," said he, 81 was
1t afraid that you alone, of all my friends,
- would not call to see me; for know what
i you think of me-"
lie Sab! that's the reason, Harry, that
ir coull moi come" reDlied the other sadly