Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-10
[FrOm the Democratic Reriew.
HARRY BLAKE.
A story Of Circumstantiat Evidence,
founded on fact.
BY JOHN QUoD, ESQ.
concluded.
CHAPTER III.

When Harry Blake was first imprison-
ed he bore stoutly up against his fate
But stone walls, and close, pent up cham
bers, with their sitting stagnant air, and
their murky twilight, are glorious inven'
tions for mlldewing the heart, and break
ing down strength and hope; and they
soon began to tell upon hun. 1t might
have been the loss of his accustomed ex.
ercse in the open air, or the want of the
sight OF the blue SKY, and of his old home,
or dread of the fate which might become
his, or,-and there were many who believ-
ed this.-it might have been the workings
OF his own evil conscience, that were ma
king such wild work with him. But GER
tain il is, that although when he WIS first
confined he seemed right glad as the day
approached, in which he would have the
chance of meeting the charges against
him in open court; yet as The time drew
near, his spirits prooptd; and it was OBJ
served, tina, the more often he conversed
with his lawyer, the more gloomy he be-
came; and that the very mention OF the
trial drove the blood from his cheek. 1t
was observed, too, that alter these inter
views he walked modify up and down the
room, with his arms folded, and muttering
TO himself, as those do who have heavy
burdens on their hearts, and that his face
was pale and wasted, and his look trou-
bled. At other times he remained for
hours with his arms crossed on the table,
and his forehead resting upon them, IN
such deep thought that he did not move
when persons came in. There were ma
ny among his friends who attributed his
changed appearance to his. confinement,
and mental anxiety as to the result OF his
trial, and still persisted in their belief OF
his innocence; but then there were those
who thought otherwise, and who fancied
that remorse had begun its work, and that
as the day OF relribution approached, liar-
RVS bold heart which had hitherto borne
him up, was failing him They said it was
an evil omen 10 see him sinking thus, anc
giving up as if he were already doomed
man; hey did not like tit seemed a
harbinger of darker fate.
Neither hope nor dread can hasten oil
protract the steady march of time; and IN
due time the day Of trial arrived. 1t was
bright day in the autumn when skies
are cloudless, and the fields and tree:
were clad in rainbow liveries. 1t was al
idle time, too, in the country, and from
far and near the inhabitants of town ant
hamle: gathered in to see the sight. 4
man with his life at stake, and struggling
and battling for it, with 50 mighty am
shrewd an adversary as LaW. II was in
deed great sight 1t was worth goinl
miles TO witness Nor was it the less ex
citing that they knew the victim, and tina
many of them had hitherto admired his no
bic and uprigh! character, and loved tn
man. But he had shed blood, aud must pa,
the forfeit.
The court house was u venerable, oil
stone building. standing ly itself, in tn
midst Of ii green lawn; and at some dis
lance from any house. But It's solitude
was now broken by the hum OF voices
for from every quarter people were pour
ing in; old aud Young, females and evel
children were there. Some were speaking
on Indifferent subjects; of the times; O
the d.tfclltnes with Eng and; of the stat
Of the crops; and one old man, broken
down and lettering, OF his fields--of VIVA
he intended to plant in them on the fol
towing year; and Of young trees whic
he had set out; of The pl assure he anti
cipated, IN sitting under their shade whe
they shoald become great, and tall, an
overshadowed his house. "rhey were SAP
hngs now; Luz they would grow fast; an
in a few years, woull be quite shady !;
and The old fellow laughed, aud shook hi
head, and rubbed his hunds, as he though