The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-02-06
would admit of his murder, under the APP
pearance ofmartal law.

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Mervale remained in the bar-room, per
fectly Indifferent as to what his fat,
might be. He had no desire to live, ant
he did not fear to die. His heart hat
been beref of all its dearest hopes, ant
since he had learned of the death of AL
ice, he concluded that rather than live
longer he would prefer having his body
laid beside hers in the silent grave. Elk
istance to him was stripped gifts charms
He had no hopes of escape. Indeed, he
would scarcely have attempted it, ever
if he had not been guarded at all, but al
he was situated, such an accomplishment
would have been impossible, for he was
closely watched by some six or seven.
After the departure of Van Loan, Mer
vale was removed to small apartment
and his legs securely pinioned to the posts
of a bed, where he was left TO himself
Two who had assisted in his capture took
post just outside the door, armed with
loaded rifles, and thus situated he passed
the night. TO him it was sleeples:
one. lie thought not of himself and his
truly dangerous situation, but he thought
of Alice Van Loan. He thought of his
blasted hope and of the melancholy for
tunes which appeared to hang upon his
footsteps.
In the morning, after Van Loan made
his appearance in the settlement, Mer-
vale was taken to the church, where the
council who were to decide upon his fate
had already assembled. He was placed
in one of the old fashioned square pcws
with which the church was filled, and i'm
mediately in front of his judges.
Van Loan read over the charges which
we're preferred against him. They ac-
cuscd him of treason to the government,
and of entertaining murderous designs
against the persons and property of his
maicsty's loyal subjects, the tories
Quite number of tory witnesses were
examined, to prove the charges set forth
against him. They declared him to be a
violent whig, and they had also conjurcd
up sufficient number Of circumstances
to induce them testify that Mervalc enter
tanned murderous designs upon all those
who we're disposed to favor the cause OF
the king.
After the dispositions were all taken, Van
Loan asked Mervale if he'd had anything
to say in his defence; but he answered not
a word. AS has been before stated nearly
all of the Station we're Tories, yet there
we're lew sterling wings amongs; them
They were however, so entirely outnum-
bnred by their opponents, that they found
it utterly impossible IL render any service
to the cause they loved, Iedeed, it requir-
ed on their part, kind of suIlen submits
sion to the dictum of their neighbors, in
order TO preserve their lives and property,
as the doctrines of con6scalion had many
admirers in the tory ranks.
Upon this occasion, however and at this
stage Of the proceedings, several stepped
forward and offered to testify in favor of
the Inform good conduct and character Of
Mervale, and their utter disbelief OF the
charges preferred against him; but Van
Loan would not receive their testimony
The church was then cleared of the spec
talors and witnesses, and the captive taken
to the inn, whilst the council renamed be-
hind to deliberate upon his fate.
In about an hour Mervae was again sent
for. He was removed once more to the
church to receive his doom. 1t was filled
on his arrival with individuals anxious to
hear the final determination of the inquis.
ton. Mersale was confronted with his
Judges, aud Van Loan pronounced his sem
tence. 1t was death upon the scalfold, and
two days were given him ir which to pre-
pare for eternity! Looks of satisfaction
were exchanged between the tories, on the
announcement of his doom, but the few
wings present wore dark and gloomy 5rows,
and some of them were open and clamor-
Gus in their denuncations Of Van Loan -
lie once or twice threatened them with
the terrors of his magisteral power; they
spurncd him and his threats, and babe
him beware of the day when he should at.
tempt to put the sentence of Mervale into
execution. Indeed they saw that if hui
man beings were 10 be strung up by the
tories in this summary and unheard OF
way, without charges and without proof,
that they themselves possessed no security
of life, beyond the will of Van Loan.
Reginaldw as removed TO his old quarters,
and the crowd around and within the
church dispersed. Van Loan returned to
his home, not however without feeling q
sort ofundefined symptom ofuneasiness at
the unequvocal stand taken by the whig
neghbors Of the Station. None are SC
suspicious as those who contemplate evil
Van Loan feared that some organization
would take place among them, and thai
they might undertake TO rescue Mervalt
from his grasp. His fears were not at al
allayed by the information received Of 10
sephine, who detailed 10 him the vlsi: anC
conversation of Jacob Dash, and was clam
orous that the servants who had been dupet
from various pretended causes, previous t'
the mock sickness and funeral, should b'
recalled; for she contended that she wa
not safe in the mansion alone. Poor wo
man! she little dreamt that her face was ;
better protection than regiment of hi
majesty's regulars! Van Loan retired It
his library, blaming himself for not having
m,de snmo inouiJes of Jacobs wherein