The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-02-04

was swarthv and sallow ,and his expression
anything but prepossessing; and his dress
was coarse and soiled, as if from hard
travel.
He passed moment, and looked about
him, as be entered the room; and then siri.
dings across it, drew. char directly in
front Of The 6re,in the midst of the astonish.
ed group, and held his feet 10 the blaze.
"A threatening night, friends, said he at
length, addressing them.
There was something in The stern sinis.
ter eye OF the man, and his haggard, repul.
sive face. which gave momentary cheek
TO the conversation, and no one answered
him, but be went on.
GO on, don't lei me stop talk. On
with you. vans 10 break in no mans
humor, I've an odd humor of my own, for
I've heard that there is man TO be hanged
tomorrow, and I've come fifty miles to
see it. was at The trial, and now I'm
come TO see if he will wear the same bold
face when he dies that he did lhen.'
so you were at the trial?' said Caleb
Grayson, who was leaning with his elbow
on the table. and cheek resting on the
palm of his hand, and looking gloomiy in
he fire.
'Ay. | was, my man. said the stranger
olunUy; 'and saw you there. You were
he witness who swore that you saw
lin stab Wlckliffe. Iswas at your elbow
II the lime. Your testimony did for him.
The old aman half started from his seat,
md turned exceedingly pale, at the same
ime pressing his hand across his eyes. At
asi Nh, he said. ,ip law agiiated voice:
Vha' couid man doaA --rvrOvu sv
%, and my answer was on oath. | did
ee him stab him-Fm sure | did.
'7Acn, OF course, it was all right For
ny part, I'm gald he's to hang. shall
G glad when he is out of the way. Had
beenson the jury, and known only what
ou stated, would have brought in the
anne verdict
The old man looked al him sharply, as
g asked. What do you meant What else
O you know!
:Know! repeated the stranger, looking
areessly up, ard drumming with his
Whip upon his boot. Nothing. What
ould know! You saw him murder the
nan, didn't you! You swore TO that.
houd think there was liule more 10 be
iscovored.'
True, true replied the other. Yet
MS is strange story of Harry's, and even
ow he persists in it, and in asserting his
lpocence. Poor fellow! always loved
nat boy as my own child, / who have
rought him to this end. Poor little Mary
lincoln, tool it has killed her. Thank
iod, she is in her grave. Its better for
er.
'Of course he'll insist to the last that he
not guilty. said the stranger. There's
ways two ways of dying. Some confess
nd throw themselves on the mercy of The
wv. Others keep their mouths tight, and
ccuse il Of injustice 10 the last. The first
ope for pardon, through its clemency.-
he last hope it, through the fear which
very man has Of shedding his Blood
Harry Blake is no coward replied
irayson. He says he's ready to die; but
lat he is innocent. The love of life
lust be strong in him, for until now |
ever thought lha; he would lie, even TO save
is life. But he is not nnocent--no-no,
G is not; for saw him do i'll saw him.
he love of life is very strong. 1t mus.
e, or Harry Blake would not lie.'
A sligkt, sneering smile fitted across
le face of the stranger. as he turned from
lie speaker. and looked among the dull EN-.
ers of The fire, without speaking. Ii was
dim, dreary room, and its distant corners
ere lost in darkness, and the frame of
le stranger, as he sat between The androns
rev a gigantic, spectral shadow on the
all, that seemed TO have something omin.
us about it, aud taken in connection with