Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-10-10

more time; b.t hope ,ha, hot only the
Justice but the audience also, will listen
patiently to what have TO say. /, is well
known to many here ths, have Il brother
residing in Walnut Grote, and upon the
night of the fire, was returning from a
visit to him. When abou, ten miles the
other side OF Mr.. Fishers, as was riding
lei.urcly along, saw a man short dis.
,ance ahead OF me, knecling bv the road
side, and apparently endeayoring TO ligh,
fire with steel aud ,inder | started my
horse into galiop, at the same ins,an, Civ
ing shout, and the man sprung to his
feet, but dropped Il burning lock OF grass.
is he did 50, into the prairie, the dry hN
Of which was instantly in blaze.
"'Scoundiel! | exclaimed. in loud
voice, a' came close to him; but with Il
coarse 'ha. ha, ha,' he retortcd--
"'Don't be angry, Mr.. CLYDE, for getting
mad won't stop the fire. guess old Fish.
cr'll catch it to night, AMI his naughty
daughter, ,oo.''
"'Niilain, you shall answer for this
r'plied, as ! turned my stccd, and spurrcd
him after the rolling flames, which were
sweeping swiftly away before "A strong
south wind, and rolling on in the direction
oi Fishers house. In vain | ursel my
horse TO his utmost speed, for the cracking
fire sped far ahead OF me, and when over
a mile and half distant, behell the luril
blaze leap the fence like stag hound, and
20 carcerug on towards the house. Al.
most madlrned at the sight, soadcd my
gallant horse, who bounded forward like
the wind, bat when still! hall Il mile from
tie building, | saw Il brsh, sheet of flame
arise from! tie root, and became aware that
the house was on fire. The burning prai-
tie had made it light as day, but my eye
ran in vain around the premises TO diScov-
er Il single person, and the fearful though,
flashed instantly through my mind that the
family were asleep in the house Bv the
time | reached the door in iron, of the
mansion, the roof was in one lurid glare
and leaping from my steed, | let him 90,
and throwing my whole force against the
door; burst it in. 4 dense volume Of
smoke poured out, almost suilocatinn me
Tor moment, but resaining my breath,
aScended ,he >lcps to the second story. a
door was visible upon my rgh, hand as
E'reeachsd the top, and it required all my
weight TO break it in; but waen did SO, Il
female iorln ,tagsercd forward, aud iell in
my arms. hastily bore her down the stairs,
by this time covered with cnders from the
burning roof, and Il, Ieapt from the door
it te'l in with a terrible crash, showc!in.
the sparks ,hickly arounl me. The per-
son had rescued was Mary Fisher; aud the
old man and his wife persisted in the flames.
Nv horse had fled in alarm from the spot,
and as the nearest neighbor's was four
miles diStan', we were compelled to walk
it Oh foot. Day br, he BY the time wc
reached The house, and leaving the discon-
solatc gr AT her neighbours, came innc-
diately here, and found was too late To
lay my accusation before you first. Such
are the facts in the case although they are
almost exactly opposite To the statement
made by Gray"
clyde had delivered his story il AZ in.
presSve and convincing manner, but the
Justice was puzzled which OF the two he
should believe. The advantage lay with
Gray, aS he had made the fist accusation,
and the statement of Clyde might be only
Il tale invented to upset the evidence OF his
accuscr. Neither had proof, as no one else
saw the deed, and the squire informed them
that he knew ol no way To dispose the case
impartialy, unless he bound them both over
10 the court.
To this Gray >lrcnuou,ly objected. He
had appeared an accused Clyde, he said
that the real author OF the late caiasl fophc
might be justly pun,hcd, and he thought
that to bind them both over, would have
an effect in dc,crring Others from making
any accusations against maCiactors from
their own knowledge, unless they had pos.
tive proof of their guilt. lie de.
manded tha, Clyde should be held to bail,
and not himself.
When he had finished, Clyde once more
20, up, and turning to the justice, stated
that rs thcs both stood there without wit
nesses, and consequently it did not lay in
his power To tell the guilty one, with his
permission, and the consent Of Mr.. Gray,
he would propose, plan by which he
hoped The matter would be thoroughly set
tied. 1t was thi,:"Thore is an Infinite be.
ing, sir. who rules IN Il higher sphere than
ours, and to whom all things are known,
from whom nothing can be concealed
propose to MI 'IaI, lldl We potn MAKE
an appeal to Heaven; and let the God of
the universe decide upon our guilt or limo.
cencc. | feel that |, >ir, am no, maIeac
tor here, and | challenge my accuser. in the
presence OF this evidence, ,o accent nv
pcopos,ion.'
Clyde ceased speaking, and amid an III
ter stiffness, during which be became the
centre of all eyes, Gray also arose, and re.
piled,