Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-02-10

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be melted in the flames which will con.
sumo your dwelling. Speak, then, ane
tell US where you have boarded it,
~ have spoken" said Brownson, "an
tell you again have none."
lake him TO the tree and hang him, if hi
does not TELL" cried Lent, sand If he is OBJ.
stlnate let him SWING to DEATH"
Ay to the treew chorused the others.
Despite Of the screams of his wife. he
was dragged 10 the tree, and preparation
were al once made for putting the threa
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 knot moose, was placed about
the doomed mans neck Not muscle
moved as he passively allowed his cap,or:
TO make these preparations. Neither die
the sobs Of his swooning wife appeur to
make any visible impression. His face was
b'anched, his eye was CLASSY, and his
heart undaunted. He had led daring life
and was determined to meet a bold and re.
morseess end.
SHOW. said Lent, as his companion.
formed circle around the tree, "open youl
stubborn mouth, and disclose the hidipe
place you have selected tor the money OF
which every honest man here can claim
a portion. You have fifteen minutes ia
decide. Remember! disclosure or death!'
At this moment flames burst from the
roof of the house. 1t was according tc
the decision Of the committee, fredt
"See," murmured the faint female,
"you have deprived us Of home-spare, at
least, our wretched lives. That for which
you ask, my husband has not. On my
soul, as far as know, | speak no false
hood"
perhaps we are wrong" Suggested one
Of the band.
"Wrongw said another, .snonsense!-
Do you suppose he would tell her wha
he had done with the plunder?"
"Once more, and for the last time" sale
Lent, addressing Brownson, III ask you te
disclose where yon have secreted your
money!"
"For the last time; l reply, will tel
nothing"
"Then mark me. Yon see that rafter
crackling in the flames! In moment i
will fall-As that falls you will be sus
pended between heaven and earth. You
fate is just, and may COG have mercy OF
your soul.''
Each man uncovered, and bowed rever
entially, as they all CALCULATED The prayer
"Husbund!" shrieked the wfe-s'Hus
band tell what they reqnre, in the name O
Heaven"
"Never! have no gold If they xii
me they will be murderers and my dea.l
will not go unavensod."
A crash announced that the burning raj
ter had fallen. Len, lifted his hand, ane
in moment Brownson's body swung clea
off the ground-The wife fell insensibe.-
Lent raised his hand again, and Brownsor
was Immediately lowered. He was soor
recovered sufficiently to speak and listen.
''Brownson," said Lent, "you see Wa
are determined. Save yourself if pos
sible, for the sake Of your wife,"
The hitherto strong resolves OF the
doomed man seemed shaken. He motion
ed them TO remove tho rope from his neck
They did as he desired. Drawing neal
to Lent he family articulaied, Il must re-
cover my strength. Grant me few min
utes respite, and you shall know all.''
HLook to the woman" said Lent; ''see
that she revives.' She was then raised
and placed upon an elevated knoll about
five rods frora the tree. They chafed her
temple, yet she recovered not Browns
on's eye glanced unsasily around. A
close observer could have detected the
fact thatthe embryo hanging had not much
disordered him. Suddenly his vision res
ted upon musket which one Of the men
attending upon the female, had left on the
ground. Quick as flash of lightning he
seized this weapon. And with the but
felled Len, to the ground. He then ran te
his wife. raised her form easily as hi
would that of child, and essayed TO es
cape.
"Fire!" yelled Lent. "Fire! he ha:
broken my arm"
The sharp report Of dozen muskeis
pierced the air and awoke the surrounding
echoes. Brownson Staggered, and fell
rose again, and boldly attempted 10 pursue
his way. He mistook his direction. and
going toward the tree, reached it, and fell
with his burthen. The woman was dead
but the man though shot IN Inc vital parts,
still lived
"Duichers!" grouned he, 'Promise one
thing ere de-"
"Whai is it?'
"That we may be buried at the foot Of
this tree"
"Your request shall be fulfilled
Enough! The gold you hare slain us
to gain is buried here: BUT YoU SHALL NEy-
Err TOUCH ONE PIECE! Cu.se you all! Ac'
cur" Two lifeless bodies lay
baihed in blood, and the slaughterers ga
zed on them with mnte horror.
Browrson and his wife were buried al
the foot OF the oak tree. As may reasonably
be supposed, tales of supernatural appear
ances in connection with the tree were
freely circulated among the ignorant and
credulous, and the spo, was for long Pc
rod. Stunned by young and old. The
dreadful manner Of the death of the fora
ger oni his bosom companion; and the inn
possibility of finding gold where it was
said to be, are excuses for these nonsen-
steal rumors.
The scaihed and bligh,ed remnant has ali
the curious attributes described as belong
]