Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-01-01


a spectre than thing OF flesh and blood
glided to seat in corner Of the apart
ment. Her husband moodly watched
the movements Of his enemies, as they
ransacked every nook an6creylcs. When
they had done. and still were empty ham
ded, he smiled contemptuously, saying,
as he did so--
"Well, gentlemen, you find that my
house contains only what a poor man
should possess. Are you satisfied ?"
mo !" spoke one ofthe number-"No;
you have gold. Itisa pity that il should
be melted IN the flames which will con
sumo your dwelling. Speak, then, and
tell us where you have boarded it,"
II have spoken" said BrowDson, "sns
| tell you again have none"
Take him 20 the tree and hang him,
If he does not tell" cried Lent i; land II
he is obstinate, let him swing to death"
cay! to the tree !" chorussej the 9th.
ers.
Despite the screams of bis wife, he was
dragged to the tree, and preparations
were a, once made for putting the threat
into execution. A rops was thrown over
limb, and one end placed in the hands
Of two stout men-the other end, fashion.
ed into siip-knot moose, was placed about
the doomed mans neck. Not muscle
moved ss he passiveIy allowed his cap
tors to make these preparations. Neither
did the sobs Of his swooning wife appear
to make any visible impression. HIS face
was blanched, his eyes were CLASSY, and
his lips were bloodless but his nerves
we're firm, and his heart undaun,ed. He
had led daring life, and he was deter
mined to meet q bold and remorseless end.
"Now," said Lent, as his companions
formed circle around the tree, "open
your stubborn mouth, and disclose the
hiding place you have selected for the
money Of which every honest man hers
can claim . portion. You have fifteen
minutes to decide. Remember! disclosure
or death !'
At this moment flames burst from the
roof Of the house. 1t was, according TO
tho decision of the committee, fired!
"See." murmured the fainting female,
"you have deprived us Of home-spare,
at least, our wretched lives. That which
you asked my husband has not. On my
soul, as far as ! know, speak no false.
hood"
perhaps we are wrong" suggested
one Of the band.
"W,ong!" said another, "nonsense
Do you. suppose he would tell her whal
he had done with the plumber II
"Once more. and for the last time, y
said Lent, addressing Brownson, 81 ask
you to disclose where you have secrsted
your money!"
"For the last time, reply, will tell
nothing"
Then mark me. You see that raf.er
cracking in the flames Ia q moment j,
will fail. As that falls you will be sus-
pended between heaven and earth. YOU
fate is just, and may God have mercy or
your SOUL"
Each man uncovered, and bowed re.
verentially, as they oil CALCULATED the
prayer.
"Husband" shrieked the wife--"Hus
band !! tell what they require, in the name
of Heaven!"
"Never, | have no gold, II they XII
me they will be murderers and my death
will not go unavenged."
A crash announced that the burning
raiter had fallen. Lent lifted his hand
and in moment Brownson's body swung
clear off the ground. HIS wife fell insen
slble. Lent raised his hand again, ant
Brownson was Immediately lowered. II,
was soon sufficiently recovered TO speal
and listen.
"Brownson, said Lent, "you see W,
are determined. Save yourself, ifpossiole
for the sake oil your wife,"
The hitherto strong resolves Of tbs
doomed man seemed shaken. He mo-
toned them to rempve the rope from hi
neck. They did as he desired. Draw
ing near to Len. he family articulated, al
must recover my strength. Graut me q
few minutes respite, and you shall know
sll."
Look to the womsn," said Lent "see
that she revives." She was then raised
and placed upon an elevated knoll about
FIVE rods from the tree. They chafed
her temples, yet she recovered not
Brownson's eye glanced unessiIy around.
A close observer could have detected the
fact that the embryo hanging had not
much dsordered him. Suddenly his vi.
sion rested up u a musket which one OF
the men, attending upon the female. had
left upon ,he ground. Quick as . Fash
of lightning he seized this weapon, and
with the bu, felled Lent to the ground. -
He then ran 20 his wife. raised her form
easily as he could that Of child, aud es-
sayed to escape.
"FIRE !" yelled Lent. "Fire! he has
broken my arm"
The sharp report Of dozen muskets
pierced the air ard awoke the surround
ing echoes. Brownson staggered, fell,
rose sgain, and bhndly attempted to pur-
sue his way. He mstook the direction,
and, going towards the tree, reached il,
and fell with his Surthen. The women
was dead. but The man, though shot in
three vital parts, still lived.
"Rutchers" groaned he, 'spromise one
hing ere de-"
"What is il p
"That we may be buried at the foot Of