Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-29


down. The voice ceased-a shudder ran through h'
iron frame, and the wretched criminal no more.
In time the village of S. grew to city. Many
its old citizens had emgrated Dead and among the
remaining the events have narrated had almost faded into
an uncertain legend when sunny afternoon an elderly
gentleman of sad and respectable
by his wife and his children, made his way from the eve
ming steamer to of the principal hotels After securing
rooms he walked into the streets He earnestly scanned
the signs he passed. He stopped before one that reao
"Atorney atlaw he paused, and then, with start as II
the determination had spice of the desperate IN is ne as
cended the stairs and entered the office An elderly man.
with bald head and wrinked face was sitting at Ia Ole
surrounded by books and papers. Inviting the new conner
to be seated he peered him through his specacs aho
inquired his business.
f., ssNir B, you do not remember me!
sc" cannot say that do" answered the attorney, slowly
as lin doubt.
Do YOU not remember pleading in behalf OF poor iel
low about being lyuched for murder, thirty years
since ?"
.Mr. NJ W--,'' exclaimed the lawyer, JOY
fully Scan it be possible? Eeve forget lace, and
yours saw in framework that night that ought TO I'M
press il upon my memory forever. Sit down-slt down.
and tell me all"
"After was thrown from the vessel that night" said
W, seating himself, 81 was so frightened that LOT
time had no consciousness Of what occurred On be-
coming more collected found my little boat half filled
with water riding the short, heavy waves, and every Sec
ond expected to 90 UNDER be capszed, and SO drown
ed This not occurring, began to look about me- ouho
the cord by which was tied passed over my shoulder
managed to get it into my mouth and soon gnawed apart
This oosened nv hands so that in few minutes freed
myself and sat up. With cup that found in the boat
baed out the water, and then breaking up enc OF the
seats managed the little affair so as to ship no more OF
the waves and in this way road out the storm and the
night
"By morning The wind had somewhat subsidized, but SO
exhausted was by fear and fatigue that was forced 10 lie
down. and soon was sound asleep When awakened the
sup was setting, and far as could see every side was
dreary waste of ater Strange as tmay seem, was
greatly relieved feared nothing much as falling again
into the hands of that terrible mob
"The full moon came out, making the scene light almost
as day. and gentle breeze sprngng uP' took OH my
coat fastened it on the broken seat and with this Tor sa
drfed, near as could make out by the stars In norh
easterv direction-I knew must sooner or later strike
the Canada Shore bu, how far had been carried in the
storm could not of course determine. Through that long
noht Aoated on saw the go down, and the stars
fade the cold gray light of morning, and then the sun
came I'D with the clear calm day. but land could be seen
-nohing but gtering water Imagined at one 'me see
inq in the dim distance SAIL but if one, it Immediately
dappeared About noon noticed something noatng near
me- and on padding my boat alongside found 1t oae OF
Goods carefully corded together fastened 1t almost with
out motive to my boat, and again lying down was soon
asleep was awakened by shout and starting up, tound
was running in close wooded shore and number OF
men staring in wonder at my appearance In answer 10
nv reou.st one of them waded In and pulled my boat to
the land learned, to my great relief that had reached
the Canada side, within few miles Of. II was sup
posed that had been shpwrecked TO which my bale OF
goods al once gave coong and secured Tor me KIND re-
cepton On opening the bale, next day, found 1t nled
with costly silks and vevets and so admirably packed ha'
the water had not damaged Them This had probably been
lost from some wreck in the late storm, and noting the ad-
dress with the intention of repayment some day, sold the
contents and with the proceeds made my way 10 New YORK;
where after nv mothers death, joined an expedition fit
ed out for -, in South America In this new home
married. and engaged in merchandise. There lived un-
til learned few months since, my Innocence OF ha cruel
deed had been made known by the confession Of the real
criminal"
When he had finished recountng his strange escape,he
LAWYER rising abruptly caught him by the arm, and point
ed to the open window They looked and saw gaunt fig
ure with sunken eyes, pale cheeks, and grey hair, in the
gloom of evening move silently along.
"That," said the lawyer, sis Mr.. H. Since the
nobt of the criminals confession his intellect, very
strong, has been complete wreck. Every evening he
wanders to the lake. Ifit stormy no entreaes can in
uce him to seek shelter but hour after hour he PAGES the
Shore every moment he expected some revelation from
lis troubled waters"
A MELANCHOLY END-In such world as this, no