Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-06-02
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Liar and backguardv
Scarcely were these last words spoken,
when Frank raised his heavy cane and,
swinging it in the air, brought it down with
full force upon Bamford's head. The
heavy handle struck upon his temple, and
he fell to the ground-a corpse.
Frank Frank = exclaimed Ainslie.
you have killed him you have killed
him! Fly, fly, for your life! will be
faithful unto the death to you, and if neces.
sary, take it all upon myself; but do not
stay here
4 thank you heartily, Frederick, and do
not doubt you would be as good as your
word, but will never consent to such a
step. | 60 to deliver myself up. Will
you come with met
Frederick perceiving that argument was
useless, slowly followed his friend, as he
went to tell the whole story TO the Presi.
dent, and deliver himself up to Justice.
The kind old man was deeply affected for
Frank Davis, by his talent, afable manner
and respectful behavior, had won much re.
gard and esteem from the whole faculty
but the President plainly saw that but one
course was left TO him, and with sorrow.
full heart he saw the young man carried to
prison.
The wretchedness which this catastrophe
brought to the home of the murderer may
be imagined but not described. Every
means which money and influence could
command, were put in force, 10 impress
Judge and jury in favor of the prisoner, and
the best counsel were retained in his favor.
But on the other hand, plain and over
whelming stood the facts, and the young
mans own confession.
The time intervening betwee, the arrest
and the trial was spent by the mother in
tears and agony of prayer by the father,
in gloomy and bitter reflection. Could he
quite acquit himself of blame ? Had he
not encouraged and applauded the very
passions which had led to this But
reasoned he, am not answerable for his
perversion of the good and useful spirit
which was what | aimed at in him. God
gave him hands, but because he misuses
them, is God to blame p
Thus reasoned the man Of the world,
willing to adopt any hypothesis rather than
take the blame on his own shoulders. He
regarded the guilt of the matter very little
it was the disgrace Of seeing his son
brought to the bar, as common felon, TO
be tried for his life--it was the ignominy
OF having convict for son, that affected
him; and he sternly resolved that were he
proved guilty, he could at once disown
him.
The day of trial came at length, and the
,,rtv l. Il
witnesses were few, but there was no need
of more, for the prisoner unhestatingly de-
clared himself guilty.
The jury, accordingly, without leaving
their box, brought in the prisoner at the
bar guilty Of manslaughter, or murder in
the second degree; but on account Of the
circumstances and the youth Of the prison.
err, he was recommended TO mercy. There
was a short pause, and then Frank Davis
was sentenced to the State Prison for life,
unless pardoned by the Governor. This,
then, became the last hope ; and ere long
a petition signed by many influential per.
sons, was presented to the humane Cover
nor, and was by him almost Immediately
granted.
The father and mother had Just heard
the joyful news, and Ellen, for long time,
had wept silently in her husbands arms.
At last, looking up in his face, she said:
James, it would be disagreeable to us
all TO live here after this, and perhaps
Frank might not do so well in business as
where he is not known. Let US make our
home in the far West. What do you say 2
Il have no intention, Ellen, Of allowing
Frank or his fortunes to interfere with my
arrangements. He will never, with my
consent, come again under the roof which
he has disgraced. He must 60 his own
way and shape his own fortunes
Good Heaven, James Your own son,
your only child 2
The man who has only escaped the
State prison through the mercy of the gov
ernor, is no longer a son of NINE
He should be the more tcnderly cher
ished and cared for on that account. lie
has been guilty; but, James, was not that
guilt the natural result CT the manly spirit
which yeu tried to implant in him =
mo, Ellen, certainly not, and a good
wife would hardly have asked the question.
| repeat to you that Frank Davis is hence
forth an alien and stranger to his fathers
roof, and | desire that his name may be
mentioned here no more
So saying, the husband and father turn
ed and left the room. Ellen, for long
time, unused bitterly on her husbands con-
duct and her consequent duty.
Her husband had commanded that their son
should not enter the home of his parehts-she
would not dsobey him, but neither would she
give up her child. She sat down and wrote to
cousin of hers, wholesale merchant residing
in a neighboring city. She told him all, and be-
sought him to receive the lad into his own store
and family; for his pursuing profession could
no longer be thought Of, A kind answer in
the affirmative was soon returned, ard Frank,
who in the mean time had paid for a refuge in
a boarding house, with money furnished by his
mother,) with heavy heart, left his ma
tive city behind him. All his hopes in life
were disappointed. lie had no taste for mer-
camille pursuits. lie had chosen the profession
of the law; but now he had neither funds nor
character with which to pursue his studies and
announce himself TO the world; and added to
this, the blood Of fellow being was upon his
soul. And all this thought he,s the consequence
of one moments unbridled Passion-what an
awful warning 1t shall not be in vain Nor
was il. From that moment Frank Davis be-
came another man. His old character he left
behind him in the prison, AMI new one was
formed for his future life, on earth and IN iiea-
ven.
A wear had passed since these events, and all
was restored 20 outward tranquility. Mrs Ia
Wis indeed. mourned in secret for her child but
from the stern heart Of her husband no was as