The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-04-05


pentance might have hope of mercy" When
he was gone, did find myself for little
while, more collected and l sat down again
| on the bed, and tried seriously to commune.
with myself for my fate. I recalled to my.
mind that had but few hours more, at all
events, to live-that there was no more hope
on earth of esc,ping-and that ii was at least
better that should die decently like man.
Then tried to recollect all the tales that I
had ever heard about death by hanging-shat
it was said to be the sensation of moment
to give no pain-to cause the extinction of
life Neutrality-suspicious. so on, to twenty
other strange ideas. By degrees. my head
began to wander and grow unmanageable.
put my hands tightly to my throat, as though
to try the sensation of strangling--then felt
my arms at the place where the cord would
be tied. I went through the fastenings Of
the rope-the tying of the hands together
the thing that felt most averse to, was the
white cap muff1ed over my eyes and face. III
could avoid that, the rest was not so very
horrible! in the midst Of these fancies, a
numbness seemed to creep over my senses
The giddiness that had felt gave way to a
dull stupor, which lessened the pain that my
thoughts gave me, though I still went on
thinking. The church clock rang midnight; ;
was sensible of the sound, but it reached me
indistinctly-as though coming through many,
frop a Far w
by, saw the objects before my mind less and
less clearly-then only partially-tben they
were gone together. fell asleep.
"I slept until the hour of execution. 1t
was seven o'clock on the next morning when
knocking at the door of my cell awoke me-,
I heard the sound as though in my dreams,
for some moments before was fully awake
and my first sensation was only the dislike
which weary man feels at being reused l
was tired, and l wished to dose on. In
minute after, the bolts on the outside of my
dungeon was drawn; turnkey, carrying
small lamp, and followed by the master of the
Jail and the chaplain, entered; looked up;
shudder like the shock of electricity-like
plunge into bath of ice-ran through me
one glance was sufficient. Sleep was gone as
though had never slept-even as l never was
to sleep again-I was conscious of my situa-
ton r. said the master to me, in a.
subdued, but steady tone sit is time for you
to RISE The chaplain asked me how l had
passed the night, and proposed that We should
Join in prayer. I gathered myself up and
remained seated on the side of my bed-place.
Nv teeth chartered, and my knees knocked
together, in despite of myself. 1t was barely
day light yet and, as the cell door stood
omen, I could see into the small paved court
beyond the morning was thick and gloomy.
and slow, but settled rain was coming down.
9 1t is half past I o'clock, R! said the
master. Just muttered an entreaty to be
left alone till the last moment. had thirty
minutes to live.
| al tried to make another observation when
the master was leaving the CELL but this time
I could not get the words out; my tongue
stuck to the roof Of my mouth, and my speech
seemed gone 1 made two desperate efforts.
but it would not dol could not utter
When they left me- I never stirred from my
place on the bed I was benumbed with the
cold, probably from the sleep, and at the un-
accustomed exposure, and sat crouched to-
gether, as it were, to keep myself warmer.
with my arms folded across my breast, and
my head hanging down, shivering; and my
body felt as if it were such weight to me.
that was unable to move it or stir. The
day now was breaking, yellow and heavily;
and the light stole by degrees into my dungeon