Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-02-28

4 'ho caiis, demanded hrownson.-
l'T, Peter Lent"
I'VE are not friends--you oan have Il,
business with ,ne-leaye my premises!''-
continued Brownson, as he opened ID,
door. s3 ida sfE Tfas1 a Ill
,"We will leave the premises" exclaim
ed Lent, as he watched the gaze ofhis as
tomshed enemy, shut that will be afte
we have taken your gold md burnt YOU
nest OF treasure about your ears
"Peter Lent, | know you, and know
every man with you. Let any harm
come to me, and you shall all pay dearl,
for it! As for gold, have none.''
SWELL search for it," shouted Lent. a,
ne pushed Brownson aside, and rushed in.
to the house, followed by his companions
They were met BY the wife, who pa.
thetically implored them ic spare he,
house from the desecration Of search.
I'VE would do any thing for you, mad.
am, but your husband is q marked man
and must be punished. Hi has searched
and robbed our houses; we will now pay
him in his own coin" Aasa ta
Thus spoke one Of the1eommittee who
had proposed the punishment. AS if con.
WINGED Of the right Of retsibutiye justice,
the woman d6ered no ayther argument
for mercy, but quietly. though more like a
spectre than thing Of flesh and blood
gl'ded to seat in corner ofthe apartment,
Her husband modify watched the move
ments OF bis enemies as they ransacked
every nook and crevice,-M hen they had
done, and still were empty handed, he
smiled contemptuously, saying as he did
So M tAat
well. gentlemen, you find that nv
house contains only what a poor man
should possess. Are you satisfied"
"No!" spoke one Of the number; "No
you have gold. Il is pity that 1t should
DC melted in the flames which will con-
sumo your dwelling. Speak. then, and
tell us where you have boarded it."
have spoken, said Brownson, and I
tell you again have none.i'
"Take him to the tres.and hang him, If
he does not tell" cried Lent; "and if he
is obstinate, let him swing 10 DEATH,
AYE! to the tree!" chorussed the 9TH
ers.
Despite The schreams Of his wifi. he
was dragged TO the tree, and preparations
We're at once made for putting the threat
into execution. A rope was thrown over
limb, and one end placed in the hands Of
Two Stout men-the other end fashioned
into slip-not moose, was placed about
The doomed mans mech. Not a muscle.
moved as he passively allowed his cap
!G = % make these prens1tions.. Neither
10 make amy visible i@pfession. His
ACE was blanched, his eyes were CLASSY.
and his lips were bloodless; but his
nerves were firm, and his heart undaunt-
ed. He had led daring life, and he va.
determined to meet bold and remorse-
less end.
''Now," said Lent, as his companions
formed circle around the tree, ssopen
your stubborn mouth, and disclose The,
hiding place you have selected for the
money Of which every honest man here
ian claim portion. Remember! disclo.s
sure or death!''
At this moment flames burst from the
roof of the house. It was, according to
he decision Of the committee, frea! 4
"See murmured the female, .syou have
deprived us Of home-spare, at least. our
wretched lives! That which YOU asked
ny husband has not. On nv soul. as far
IS know, / speak no falsehood!''
Perhaps We are wrong suggested one
If the band. /
"Wrong!" said another; nonsense, Do
vou suppose he would tell her y hat he had
lone with the plnnder?'
Once more, and for the last time said
Lent, addressing Brownson, 4 ask YOU to
disclose where you have secreted the mon
sye?' M ~,
"For the last time, I reply, / viii tell
1othing." A'a
Then mark me. You see that rafier
in the flames? In moment II
will fall. AS that falls you will be s,,s-a
pended between heaven and earth. Your
ate is just, and may God have mercy on
your soul"
Each man uncovered and bowed rev.
srentially, as they all calculated the prsyer.
"ifusband!" shrieked the wife-"Hus-
'and! tell what they require ia the name
II Heaven!" a tisasA M eiH i
a"Never! Ifhave no gold. II they kill
ne, they will be mnrderers, and my death
will not 60 unavenged." a'essfs aol.iH
A crash announced that the burnt rafter
,ad fallen. Lent lifted his hand, and in !
moment Brownson's body swung clear OF
he ground. The wife~f insensible.-
Lent raised his hand again and Brownson
vas Immediately lowered. He was soon
recovered to speak and listen.
! "Brownson,' said Lent, "you see we
ire determined. Save yourself, if possible, /
or the sake Of your wife," tspe .fAsiFqF il
The hitherto strong resolves Of the DOOM
ID man seemed shaken MA He motioned
o remove the rope from his neck. They
lid as he desired. Drawing near to Lent
,e family articulated, "a must recover nv
strength. Grant me few moments res
2ite, and you shall know ALL" i sii
sLook to the woman, = said Lent; sssee
hat she revives." She was then raised
md placed upon an elevated knoll about
i've rods from tie tree. They chafed her
emples, YET she recovered not. Brown-
sons eye glanced ineasily around. "A
close observer codld have detected The fact I,
hat the embryo hanging had not much
him. Suddenly his vision FEST
ed upon d musket which one ofs the rnen.