Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-06-24


the roof was sheet of flames.
Jared had been away from home that
night he could not prove an ahbi-the
witness was cross questioned, but in all par
ticulars appeared consistent, and Jared
Parker was found guilty of arson, and SEN
fenced to the Penitentiary for eighteen
years.
Mrs Jacobs had removed from the neigh
borhood during the time intervening be-
tween the commission of the crime and the
trial. Every possible exertion was made
by Jared's friends to ascertain here where
abouts, but without success, and he was
committed to gloomy cell in the State
Prison.
| Anne Parker, with woman's determi-
nation, where her exertion is called for in
the rescue of a loved one, resolved that Mrs.
Jacobs should be found. Immediately she
set about the esearch-gradually her means
were exhausted then she was a pensioner
on the bounties of her relatives. Every
phantom of rumor, which gave suspicion
of the woman's residence, was pursued by
Anne, in confidence that she should prove
her husband S innocence, until further search
seemed vain, and it became the settled con-
clusiyn that Mrs. Jacobs could no longer
be among the living. .a-,D-
Twelve years had elapsed-Jared Par
ker had vet six to atone for the crime for
which he stood condemned. Still be pro-
tested his innocence-s still he declared it
would one day be proclaimed.
He was a favorite with the officers of the
prison; his good conduct had secured him
many favors, and at length reached the
ears of the Governor of our State. He Wis
ited the prison, heard Jared's story, and re-
solved to institute search for the Mrs. ia
cobs described. He knew nothing of the
exertions Anne Parker had made, because
he had not told Jared his intentions.
A lawyer was employed to conduct the
search for the woman on whom the eyi-
dence rested. He was on visit to Cincin-
natl, and inserted an advertisement in the
papers, that by calling at certain Office.
@this woman could learn something greatly
to her advantage" = .s-.,
The advertisement was answered by an
elderly lady, who gave her name as Mrs.
Jacobs. She stated that she, remembered
the burning of the barn, but that she had
never heard of Parker's trial. She had
known the woman who testified against
him, but had never taken the part describ-
ed in the circumstances which secured his
conviction, and believed that he must have
been the victim of a conspiracy. To this
effect she made eposition-immediately
the facts were laid before the Governor, and
Jared Parker was pardoned.
Twelve years he had been prisoner, un-
der the ban of felon prescription twelve
years his family had been without its natu-
raj protectur-his home had gone into the
hands of stranger-his father had been
gathered with the departed, and his mother,
tottering on sthe verge of the tomb" mourn
ed her elGest son as dead. Anne's health
had been impaired by her travels and the
consequent exposures and privations, and
she was but the wreck of the woman he
left in charge ofhis household, when the Of
ficers of justice had dragged him from it;
his youthful energies were wasted-he was
dispirited and broken in constitution. But
he had not suffered as deeply in those men,
tai agonies, whose canker cravings give
unnecessary pain, as one who had lived in
the confidence of pleasant family, and
had been privileged to enjoy all the outward
pleasures which wealth and standing in the
improving country secured.
In mansion of pride and elegance for
new country, where the forests were not
yet cleared. nor all the fields in blooming
cultivation, by a window that looked out
upon the storehouse of the Williams farm,
on which the rain of twelve summers had
not yet beaten, reclined young man upoa
a couch, from which he never was to rise
for year after year his health had wasted =
it Was well nigh spent. ,,.4 ze e--..
An elderly lady bent over him.
@What did you say, mother?"
@Jared Parker is pardoned-he will be
home to-morrow-there are strange stories
about, my son." ~. ---.
For several moments the young mans
glazed eyes were fixed with an unearthly
stare upon his parents couatenance, one
hand twitched the bed clothes nervously
the other grasped his mothers wrist.
"Mother, l am villain" gasped Her
bert Williams; @Pve a load here, mother,
and he pressed his hand upon his heart
until his breath was almost stopped;
load, mother; l have wasted it for years
Mrs. Browns dead, or I'd make her tell i
she was perjured. Jared's innocent
put the torch to our barn, mother-I did it
mother, for revenge-rerenge. can di
a,oav." e
His lips continued to move, but no SCUM,
, fell from them; the mother bent over he
t son-her feelings we would not attempt t
!, depict-in few minutes his lips were clos
ed, his brow was clammy, the dews Q
E death were upon it.
$ The mother had struggle to reveal til
!. confession which exposed her sons dee
guilt, but circumstances required it.
: This confession came to Jared Parker an
f family, with welcome that did much
= soothe their SORROWS.
d "You forgive Herbert" said Anne.
= "He caused me twelve long years of dee
It suffering: | never harmed him. vouI