The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-02-14
VOL 9. NOH9& Whole No. 44%

appeared, from all accounts, TO he very bad
and dangerous fellow; and after n short dis
cussion, they agreed TO lynch him, in back
woodsman's phrase, just as coolly as if they
had been talking of catching n mustang
When the men had come To this satisfactory
conclusion, they got up, drank the judges
health and mine, shook us 10y the hand, and
left the house.
The day passed more heavily than the pre-
ceding one. | was too much cngrossed with
the strange scene l had Witnessed TO talk
much. The Judge, too, was in n very bad
humor. He was veXed that n man should he
hung who might render the country much
and good service if he remained alive. That
johnny, the miserable, cowardly ,treacheru,N
johnny should he sent out ofthe world IA
quickly us possible, was perfectly correct,bui
with Bob il was very different In vain did
remind him Ofihc crime of which Bob had
been guilty-of the outraged laws of God
and mainland ofthc ntOnement due. II was
no use. II Bob had sined against society.
he could repair his fault much better by re-
manning alive lhnn by being lung; and for
anything else. God would avenge it in his own
good time. We parted for tire night netlef
ofus convinced by the others arguments.
We were sitting at breakfast the next norm
ing when man, dressed in black, rode upto
the door. II was Bob, hut so metGmorplOs-
ed tIat scarcely knew him. Instead Of the
torn and blood-staned handkerchief round
his head, he wore n hat; instead of the health
ern jacket, decent cloth coat. lie had sllo-
we'd eff his beard ioo,aird looked qnitc arUtlcr
man. His manner had altered with lis
dress; lie seemed tranquil and rpsignCd.--s
With a mild and submissive Iuok, hc held ont
his hand 10 the judge, who tcok aud shook il
heartily.
Ah' Bob!' said he, 'ifyou had only listened
to what so often told you had those clothes
hroue lit on purpose irCmNew Orleans, in ORE
der that, on Sundays AT least, You might jcok
like decent and respectable man. How Of
ten have | asked you to put them on ard
come with us TO meeting, 10 hear Mr. BliSa
preach: There is some truth in Il c saying,
that the coat makes the man. With his Sun
day coat, IL man often puts on other and let
Ter thoughts. Ifthat bad been Your case en-
ly fify-two tines in the yearyou'd have learn.
ed TO avoid Johnny lrlorc now
Rob said nothing.
We'll, well! Tvc done all could 10 make
n better man ofyou All That WIS in my row.
err
That you have answered Rob, much
moved. God reward youior itn
could rot help holding ont my herd 10
the worthy Judge: and as / did SOL thought
saw n moistncss in his eye, which he sup
pressed, hOwever,and turning TO the breakfast
table, babe us sit down. Bob thanked him
humbly, but declined, saying That he wished
~ appear fasting before his Offended Creator,
The Judge in. stCd ard reasoned with linn,
and AT least he took n chair.
Before we had done breakfast, onr friends
oflhe preceding day began 10 drop in. ard
some ofthem Joined us at the meal. When
they had all taken what they chose tie Judge
ordered the negroes to clear away, and leave
the room Tins done, he seated himself Mt
the upper end Of the table, with the Ayuutu.
niento on either side, and Bob facing him.
Nlr WI yte, said the Alcalde, 'hHve you, az
procurador, any thing TO sate?'
Yes, AIcalde,' replied the the procuraGon
'In virtue of my Office, made "A search in the
place mentioned by Bob Rock. and there
tonnd the body ofa man who had met his
death by Il gunshot wound. / also found II
belt full of money, and several letters of rec
to different planters, from
which it app ears that the man was on bis
way from Illinois to San Felipe, in order 10
buy land ofColonel Austin, and 10 settle in
Texas
The procurlor then produced rah Of
Saddc-bags, out ofWhch he took n eatherns
belt stuffed with money! which he laid on tic
table together with the letters. The Judge
opened the belt and counted the money. IL
to upwards oftive hundred dollars,
in gold and silver. The procurador thcn
read the letters.
One of the corregidors Row announced
that johnny and his mulatto had left their
house ard fled. He. the coTregidor, had sent
people in search of'them but as vet there
were no tidings ofthcir capture. This piece
of intelligence seem 70 veN the Judge greatly,
but he made no remark on it at the time,
Bob Rocl' cried he. ..
Bob stepped forward. .....
Bob Rock: or by whatever other name .
you may he known. are YOU guilty or not
guilty of this ans DEATH
Guilty. replied Bob in n low tone.
Gentlemen Of the Jury, will you be pleas. p
cd to give your verdict" .... --
The jury left the room. In ten minutes
they returned. .....
'Guiltyp said the foreman.
Bob Rock said the Judge Socnnly, 'vour
fellow citizens have found you guilty: and =
pronounce the sentence-that you hc hung
by the neck until you arc dead. The Lord
be merciinl TO your sour ..-....r
Anen!,' said all present
Thank ye,' murmiWed Bob.
we will seal mp the property of the de-
ceased said the Judge, 'and then proceed To
orr painful duty s-s. Boa
lie called for light, and he and the pre-.
curador and corregidors sealed up the papers
and money.
Has any one aught to aIlege why the ser,
tence should not be put in eXecution?' raid
the Alcalde, with glance at me. -u.
He saved my life, Judge, and fellow citi.
zens,' cried deeply moved. ..........
Bob shook his head motrnfully. ....
Let us go then, in Gods name,' said the
Judge.
Without another word being spoken, we
left the house and mounted our horses. The s
Judge had brought Bible with him: and he