Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-01-03
shall all pay dearly for it! As for gold, have


They were met by his wife who pathcticall,
mplored them TO save her house from the de
secratop of search.
We would do anything for you, madam bu
your husband is marked man, and must be
punished. lie has searched and robbed oul
houses--we will now pay him in his own coin.
Thus spoke one of the committee who har
proposed the punishment As if convinced o.
the right Of retributivn Justice, the woman of
tered no further argument for mercy, but quiet
ly, though more like spectre than thing o,
flesh and blood, elided to seat in the corner o,
the apartment. Her husband modify watched
the movements of his enemies, as they ransack.
ed every nook and crevcc. When they had
done, and still were empty handed, he smiled
contemp'uously, saying, as he did So
well. gentlemen, you find that my house
contains only what poor man should possess.
Are you satisfied !
Mo- spoke one of the number-'No; you
have gold 1t is a pity that it should be melted
in the flames which will consume your dwell
ling. Speak, then, and tell us where You have
hoarded it,
Il have Spoken said Brownson, and | tell
you again have nore.'
Take him to a tree and hang him, ifhe does
not tell cried Lent 'ald if he is obstinate, let
him swing to death
'Ah to the tree ! chorussed the Others
Despite the screams of his wife, he was drag
eed to the tree, and preparations were at once
made for putting the threat into execution. A
rope was thrown over limb and one end pla.
ced in the hands Of two stout men-the other
end, fastened into a slp.knot moose, was placed
about the doomed mans neck Not muscle
moved as he passvely allowed his captors TO
make these preparations Neither did the sobs
of his swooning wife appear TO make any visible
impression. His face was banched, his eyes
were CLASSY, and his lips were blootless; but
his nerves were firm, and his heart undaun,ed.
He had led a daring life, and was determined
TO meet bold and remorseless end.
Now, said Lent, as his companions formed
a circle around the tree, 'open your stubborn
mouth, and disclose the hiding place you have
selected for your money of which every honest
man here can claim portion. You have fifteen
minutes TO decide Remember disclosure or
jeath!'
At this moment flames burst from the roof of
the house. 1t was according to the decision of
the committee, fired!
See mnrmured the faint female, you have
deprived us OF home-.spare, at least, our wretch
ed lives. For that which you ask, my husband
las not. On my soul, as far as know, | speak
no falsehood.'
perhaps We are wrong suggested one of
he band.
Wrong = said another, nonsense! DO you
suppose he would tell her what he had done
with the punderP
Once more, and for the last time said Lent
Brownson, Il ask you to disclose
where you have secreted your money!
For the last time, reply, I will tell no.
hing
Then mark me. You see that rafter crack.
ing in the flames In moment it will fall.
As that falls you will be suspended between
eaven and earth, Your fate is just, and may
iod have mercy on my SOUL
Each man uncovered, and bowed reverential.
y, as they all CALCULATED the prayer
Husband ! shrieked the wiie-'IIusband F. |
ell what they require, in the name of Heaven"
Never have no gold. II they kill me
hey will be murderers, and my death will not |
o anavenged.'
A crash announced that the burning ratler had |
allen. Lent lifted his hand, and in moment
Irownsons body swung clear of the ground. |
he wife fell insensibie. Lent raised his hand
gain, and Brownson was Immediately lowered.
lie was soon recovered sufficiently to speak and
sten.
'Brownson,' said Lent, you seq we are deter.
,ined. Save yourself, if possible, for the sake
t your wife,
The hitherto strong resolves of the doomed
ian seemed shaken. He motioned them to re-
,ove the rope from his neck. They did as he
esred. Drawing near to Lent he family art.
ulated, Il must recover my strength. Grant
he few minutes respite, and you shall know
H.
Look to the woman said Lent see that
he reyives.' She was then raised, and placed
pom an elevated knoll about FIVE rods from the
rec. They chaied her temples, yet she reco-
cred not. Brownson's eye glanced uneaslly
round. a close observer could have detected