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


gentemanlke manner; SO much so, that
tho old gentleman up to the day of his
death asserted, that ghosts were very ill
used class of beings, and that, for his part,
he wished that many people who pretend
ed TO lie their betters only were as good as
they were. From this topic the CONVEX
sation gradually wandered off to Harry
Blake and his trial, and his approaching
death.
"Don't you think they might pardon
him?" inquired Caleb Grayson, who was
one of the party, and who had been sitting
among them, without taking any part or
showing any interest in their conversation,
until it touched upon the subject Of Blake's
execution; bat then he seemed keenly
alive to it, and with his features working
with intense anxiety, he repeated his ques-
tian: Don't you think they might? wish
they would, DO tell me, some one. What
do you think?"
heard that Mary Lincoln's father did
his best for him, bat it was of no USE" re-
pled one of those addressed. "But you
must not grieve about it SO. You couldn't
help being a witness against him. Even
Harry said so himself"
The old mans face frightened, and
something like "A smile passed over it, as
he id: "Did Harry say 500 Well, Pm
glad OF that, Pm glad Of that; for it makes
me very sad when think that it was
and Walton who put him where he is--ln-
deed it does"
at was no fault of yours" said the man,
"and you mustn't let it trouble you. Pm
sure | should have done as you did. An!
here comes some one"
The last words were called forth by the
sound of horse Gathering up to thehouse
Then the loud voice of a man was heard
bawling out for some one TO take his horse;
and in few minutes IA tall man, unknown
to them all, entered the room, with short
whip in his hand, There was little in his
features, or the appearance oil his poison,
to encourage familiarity; for his complex
ion was swarthv and sallow, and his ex-
preston anything but prepossessing; and
his dress was coarse and soiled, as ii from
hard travel.
lie paused moment, and looked about
| him as he entered the room; and ther
strlding across it,1rcw chair directly In
, front of the fire, in in the midst of the as
tonished group, and held his feet to thu
blaze.
"a threatening night, friends" said hi
at length addressing them.
/. There was something in The stern SIMS
ter eye Of the man, and his haggard, re
puIsive facc,which gave a monetary checl
TO the conversation, and no one answered
: him, but he went on,
go on, don'tIet me SOP talk. On with
YOU. Iwant to break in on no mans hu
NOR. I've an odd humor Of my own; fol
, I've heard that there's man 10 be hang
ed tomorrow, and I've come fifty miles II
see it. | was at the trial and now I'm come
to see if he'll wear thu same bold face
when he dies that he did then"
: $50 you were at the triAl?" said Ca!eI
/ Gravson, who was leaning with his elbow
1 on the table, and his cheek resting on thu
palm of his hand, and looking gIoOmiIy il
+ the fire.
SAY, | was, my man." said the strange
: bluntly; land | saw you there. Yon were
: the witness who swOre that you saw
him stab Wicklifle. was at your elbov
at the time. Your testimony did 10
him."
The old man half started from hi
seat, and turned exceedingly pale, at tn
same time pressing his hand across hi
ewes. AT last he said, in low agilatet
voice;
"What conld a man do? | was forced t
i, 90, and my answer was on oath. l di'
see him stab him--Im sure | did"
"Tnen, of course, it was all right. Flo
nv part, Pm glad he's TO hang. | shall b
glad when he's out of the way. Had
been on the jury, and known only wha
YOU stated, would have brought in IN
:, same verdict"
:" The old man looked at him sharply, q
! he asked: "What DO you mean? What els
= do YOU know?"
\ "Knowm repeated the stranger, look
! ing carelessly up, and drumming with hi
=, whip upon his boot. Nothing. VIVA
;, could know? You saw him murder tn
i man didn't you! You swore TO that.
should think there was little more to be dis
covered"
"True, true" replied the other. aye
!, this is a strange story of Harry's and ev
en- now he persists in it, and in assertin
his innocence. Poor fellow! | Away
,, loved that boy as my own child, VIII
have brought him TO this end. Poor it'll
Mary Lincoln, too! it has killed her.
! Thank God, she is in her grave. It's bette
9 for her."
e "Of course he'll insist to the last tina
n he is not guilty." said the Stranger
"There's always two ways of dying
d Some confess, and throw themselves ON tn
r,nrn, nf In Law Others keen the