Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-21


ln a few minutes afterwards be siOod beneath
the calovs. As be looked up al the fatal en-
rins ofdcath, his ehes hesyed and there was a
choking in his threat as IL he were striving to
suppress feelings struggling 10 escape. Al length
fhe moose Was suspended from The beam and the
wagon placed beneath. Without assistance he
Stepped into il, aad then foe moment be aP-
peaTed 10 shrink. The ascendancy Of nature
was but momenlay. Instantly recovering him.
self, he looked around upon Ihe sOrrowful faces
81 the foot Of the gallows, and said wuh smile:
"li viii be bat momeniary pang."
Then decliniug the assistance Of the provost
marshal, be bandaged his own eyes with de-
gree Of 6rmnsSs aud resignation that the eyes ol
all who guzed were filled with tears, aud deep
grosns Of emouon escaped from the breast OF
many a sialwau soldier. that the stern spirit
ofmilitary laws should demand so young and so
noble victim.
The provost marshal now loosely pinioned his
arms and placed the moose over the young man $
head, who, himself, with perfect hrmness' ad'
juslcd nio his neck.
"Major Andre. YOU now have an opportunity
20 speak il you desire it, said the provost mar
shal.
Lirting tho handkerchief from his eyes, he
looked steadily around, aud said m firm clear
voice that reached every car Of tbs silent null
iimac;
81 prav you TO bear nc witness Iha, | bear my
fate like brave man."
There was no vain boasting in his voice or
manner, but hia words proceeded from that hon
cradle pride which becomes a soldier, and which
shods halo even around the brow Of DEATH
When be had said this he resumed his iofme
position aud calmly awaited his fate.
The signal was giyen--the wagon rolled iron
beneath MIN, and the victim Of military justice
had expaleA his olf,uce with life. "Such,
saws Mr. Sparks in bis Biography of Arnold,
which able wotk we have made free use OF il
this outline, "was the death OF man whose rar
accomplishments had procured for him tn
friendship aud confidence Of all to whom he wa
known, and opened the happiest Pressuges of u
ture reRown and glory. In ten short days hi
blooming hopes had been bghted, and his glow
ing visions Dispersed. But it was his singula
fortune TO die, not more beloved by his friend
than Iamcuied by bis enemies, whose cause b
had sought TO ruin, and by whose hands his Ilt
was Justly taken. Time has consecraled III
feeling. There are few Americans, and ie'
there will ever be, who can look back upon th
fale of Andre without deep regret. His name
embalmed in every generous heart; nnd the
who will condemn his great error, and appIau
the sentence Of his Judges, will cherlsh melar
cholyrcmcmbrance Orihe unfortunate victim, an
greve that u life of so much promise, adorne
with so many elevated aud inestimable quale!
was destined TO an unlimely and ignomioou
end" The tears and euIogcs that have follow
ell the memory of this noble gentleman, brav
soldier, and honorable man, cminenlly show ho'
virtue may ennobe even the gallows, and de
monslrale that it is lat better TO die we'll, lhoug
on a gaIlows, than, like Benedict Arnold, to pur
chase lilo with tho Scorn and contempt Of man
kind.
"S,ill lived he on-hii victim doomed TO die
Yet in their different la,os behold the homily."