Democratic banner., 1846-11-23

put of my execution a few months, believ-
ing as l do, that time will throw some light
on this dark and bloody transaction. | am
IN a strange land, said TIE prisoner, "far
from fir ends and counsel. | stand Helpless
and alane. throw myself on your mercy.
HE only boon | ask is that you will not rnt
the sentence cs the law into immediate ex-
jccution." While Woodson was speaking,
&c run'ulaulant had some conversation
with the priest. They thou ht ircm his
language that lie entertained some hope
that his friends would effect his escape.
The priest arose and addressing Woodson,
said: "Iour lonely and desolate situation is
heart-rendi@S3 inteed. [AttLese words, the
prisoner. for the first time during his trial,
burst forth into a food of tears. You are
not distant from your friends, but far from
the true and apostolic church, out Of whose
pale none can be saved. If it were to re-
nOnnce your errors, embrace the frue faith,
AMI do something to merit Heaven. that
you asked for your execution to be put off,
in pity to your soul it ought to be granted.
Tell Inc my son, do youa ask instruction in
the Catholic faith ?" '.AIy faith. replied
the prisoner, is fixed Of God ard cannot
&c shaken. On this subject | I'm fearless.
4 respite Of few weeks, or even days, |
ask NO more" \ dark frown sAtl.erd Oh
the coun:cnancc ofthe priest, which seemed
retiecte! in t!.at Of tie II. andnnt,
WHO rising said, "Prisoner; tomorrow you
rruSt de-.
The desnniring Shrek Of a female was
heard; and rus, ing Through the crowd, TIC
wife Of WoodSon tainted in his arms. The
sun was s;:.kin; in :Ilc west, and TIE s;!rc.y
c.orGS wr,c gathering round Lin, like
"..::i.,"n -oun!a dyi.s si:e.
: N"2d,rD was s:.tI" on a leg will IN the
rri@on With :L.c rTl~-: already i1cn.;o"rG ty
iiS SD. NY son, make your con.c<sior,"
sd tie ri, -. 81 lave r"o: a@tc,iy It'd
v,u tiM.t | n.s innocent said TIE rr sor"r,
Mt press = is subject, farther" Int
yorrtn confess 20 me your other sure
iyv1u are not sin!css , "IIad | ever in
iurcL you. mosl true,,v would confess and
AZ your nrL,n.--h"a;": Sod have SIM
cd, His pardon, and las only d rave
L.av. ,acI br-crch you: you but add 70 The
bitterness Of ny u.ilic:.onS,' and tie priest,
.rttr. 4 few more f~ru.tlrss efforts 10
convince HIN, left Him Il jge to lis sor-
row.
Twas after midnight. The morn was
fast approaching. BY the dim light Of the
prison lamp could WooIson be seen, with
his wife and children beside Lin i'll tc. rs.
They w"pt-;h"y ~rrayrd-'hty tried to
hope 'ETEEH.L CON- said Wood~on, riS-
ing, tnv WAYS are MYSTERIOUS. Blacklist
c!"rds hang over mc-darhnrss impossible
to pierce. Oh, Heavens! Mercy! COZ
bless my wi(e-my cI.iidrcn-thy will be
done" When these WORDS we're uttered
he fiji more composed; and embracing his,
wife, he said: dearest, trust in con. Lock
up-iicavcn ItStii Is near uS--Sn"n VIZ u
meet; there we'll be hapry--WeM part nc
more. Trv then to submit Give you up!
said his wife; oh, ] cannot! COP does not for
get us-some help will yet COME Bathec
in tears, with the children trembling will
agony and clinging to their fathers knees
they gave way to silent gricf.
And yet it was not the silence ofdesPair
though scatIed by the lightning of mlsior
tune-and stript of earthly friends an'
earthly hopes, and left 10 withcr in with
anguish with noneto pity. 1horgh trati
in the most appalling aspes', steadily adj
-, vanccd, and 500 would sever ties tie mes
tender, and stamp with ignominy TIE OF
lptian children OF an innocent maE;"ct Their
, was a bright CLEAN of hope fr"m h"ave'
, piercing those prison walls; telling f''at SAT
. and silent grcup, OF GOD, "f Heaven, "''"a
Eternal shore, where all is cloudlesS high
| and perfect peace.
i, The air was damp and chilling. 1hedy
i ing lanp. whose sickly light YVES nearly eX