The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-02-14

| MET him by the river, and cried halves of
his money continued Bob mechanically. He
said he'd give me something 10 buy quid,
and more than enough for that but not halves,
I've wife and child said he.
And YOU asked the juror with the deep
voice, which this time however, had hollow
sound in il.
'SShot him down. said Bob, with wild
hoarse laugh.
For some time no word was spoken.
'And who was the man? said Juror at last.
TDidnt ask him; and il warn't written on
his face. He was from the States;but wheth-
er hoosier, or buckeye, or n mudheGd, is
more than / can say
The thing must be investigated, Alcaldc,'
said another of the jury, after second pause.
lit must he So answered the Alcaldc.
What's the good ofso much investigation?
grumbed Bob.
what goud% repeated the Alcnlde. BE
cause we owe il TO ouselves,to the dead man,
and TO you, not TO sentence you without hav-
ing held an inquest ON the body. There's an
other thing which must call your attention
to- continued Returning 10 the jury; the man
is halfout ofhis mind--not cOmpoS mentiS, MS
they say. He's got the ievcr,and had it when
he did lie deed; he was urged on ny johnny,
and muddened by his losses at play. I'm spite
ofhis wild excitement, however, he saved
that gcntcman's life yondcr, Mr. Edward Ma
Ihnniel Rivers
Did he SOP said one ofthc jury.
THAT did he replied ], mot only by saving
me from drowning when my horse dragged
me, half dead and helpless, into the river but
also by the care and attention lie forced John
ny and his mulntto 10 bcstow upon me-
Without him ! should not he alive ut this mo-
ment'
Bob give me II look which went 10 my
heart. The tears were standing in his eyes.
The jury heard me in deep silence,
1T seems lhat johnny led you on and excl
ted You 10 this" said one Of the Jurors.
i didu't say that only said that he point
ed 10 the mans money bag, and saiC----
But wlInt is it 10 You what Johnny said: I'm
the man who did it. | speak Tor myself rI,d
I'll he hanged for myself
'All very good Boil, inter- oscd the Alcalde,
'but we can't hang you without leing sure
You deserve it. What do you say TO it Mr.
WHITE? You're the procurador-an you.
Mr. Heart and Mr. Stone? Help yourselves 10
rum or brandy; and mr Bright and irwin.tHke
another cigar. They're considerable tolera-
bic, the cgars-an't they? That's brandy,
Mr. Whytc, in the diamond bottle
Mr. Whytc had got upto give his opinion,
rs thought; but was mistaken. He step
ped to the sidrbourd: took up bottle in one
hand aud glass in Tire other, every move
ment being performed with the greatest delb-
Grafton.
Wei squire, said hc,orrother, .9icaide'--
After the word .Hcaidc, he flied the s. lass
halfiull OF rum.
Hits as we've Heard added he, pouring
about spoonful of water on the Iuu, and
Bob has killed the man Lie continued, throw
ing in some Jumps of sugar-'nurdered him
he went on, crushing the sugar with n
wooden stamr--I rather calkiIate'-hcre he
raised the glass-EBob ought TO he hung he
concluded, putting the lumber to his mouth
and cmpVug it.
The Jurors nodded in silence. Bob drew
a deep breath, as ifa load were taken eff his
breast.
WELL said the judge, who did not look o.
yer well pleased; If you all think So and Bob
is agreed, calculate we must do ms he wish !
es. tell you though, ! don't do it willingly. |
At any rate we mnst find the dead man first, |
and examine johnny We owe that to our
selves and to Bob
Certainly said the jury with one voice.
You are dreadful murderer, Bob, Il very |
considerable one continued the Judge; but |
tell YOU to your face and not TO fattcr YOU,
there is more good in your little finger than
in Johnny's whole hide. And I'm sorry for
you, because at the bottom, you are not Il bad
man. though you've been led away 10y bad |
company and example. | calculate you
might still be reformed, and made very use
tul--more so, perhaps tboh you think. Your
rifles a capital good one
At these last words the men all looked up,i
and threw keen inqnrmg glance at Bob.
You might he of great SERVICE continued
the judge encouragingly, 80 the country and
to your iellow-CitiZens. You're worth doz-
en- McXicans any day
While the Judge was speaking, Bob let his
head fall on his breast, and seemed rejecting.
He now looked up
Il understand squire; | see what YOU'RE
drivin' at. But can't do i'll can't wait 80
long. My life's burthen and n sutlerin' TO
me. Wherever go, by day or by night, he's
always there, standin. before me, and drivin'
me under the Patriarch
There was pause ofsome duration' The
Judge resumed.
e $50 be il them said he with suppress
ed sigh. Wen see the body to-day, Bob,
and YOU may come tomorrow at ten O'clock
Couldn't il be sooner" asked Bob impa-
tiently.
sWhy sooner? Are you in such 4 hurry|
asked Mr. Heart.
WHATS the use of palaverin'? said Bob
suIkiy. q told you already Pm sick of my
life. fyou don't come till ten o'clock, by the
time you've had your talk out and ridden to
the Patriarch, the fever II be upon me-
But we can't be flying about like parcel
of wild geese, because ofyour fever, said the
procurador.
Certainly not said Bob humbly.
Its an ugly customer the fever, thought Mr.
Whyte,' observed Mr. Trace; and | calculate
we ought to do him that pleasure. What do
you think, squire" ...,
reckon he's rather indiscreet in his ask
ms said the Judge, in a tone of veXation.-
However, as he wishes it, and fit is agreea-