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

the evidence have detailed given before hrn In addl-
on TO this spots of fresh blood found on his coat
sleeve and as Woods had been robbed of some gold
yer con of peculiar character two or three of the pieces
were found upon the unfortunate mans person. This nv
e,ed the final link, and the crowd grew furious. Little
Me SO good, loved and loving, all remembered as
child of their own, and she to be buchered for god-he
law seemed slow and mild for vengeance and the great
crowd now sweed to hundreds swayed to and fro, Shout
ed angrly for blood.
convict but lately from prison, hasened forward with
rope threw post, while of the citizens in
answer this suggestion hurried the unfortunate pr-
soner towards the mpromptu galows
"Oh, gentvnce,l'; screamed young man, frightened
at what appeared his inevitable fate, have mercy upon me
i am innocent-indeed am innocent-have mercy"
His voice was drowned in roar from the crowd, ''Who
had mercy on little NIlie kill him. kill him - and again
pushed him toward the fatal post.
"Oh, God !" cried the unhappy man, in bitter anguish
aud trembling like child "wi no one pity me! have
4, widowed mother-mercy, mercy-wat little while
only little while!'
One alone answered this last appeal A young lawyer,
of eminent ability and personal popularity, sprung forward
severed the rope and then in clear slvery voice. that
rung out high above the tumut, said
do what in this man you condemn-an awful murder
Chain him down. do what you will to secure the criminal
but respect the law"
"And give Squire B "a chance to clear him." inter
rupted the convict have mentioned.
.To that man. fresh from the cells have nothing to say
But to you my companions, neghbors, friends, appeal
earnestly appeal Why will you do this cruel thing 2
| What RIGHT have you to commit murder T! How will
YOU answer to the great Gver of all good for this Where
is your authority 2"
"He who sheddeth mans blood, by shall his blood
be shed responded harsh solemn voice, and the crowd
turning saw where torch waved over stern, uneelng
face the countenance of their preacher 1t was time
when the gathered feeling. checked by great obstacle
pases in its rash career and for moment, there seems
doubt which way the tide will flow. This awful passage
SO soemnly quoted fell the crowd at that moment when
the slightest word would have turned them from their pur
pose and stimulated, as it seemed to them BY command
from Heaven they seized their trembling cap
tive when the old captain, whom W mad importuneu
for passage, claimed to be heard
"Comrades !" said he, esquire B thinks we hadn't
OUGHT to hang this fellow WELL P:l tell you what we'll
do He wanted to sail with me this day. lie shall do So
Wen take him outside the Bay, tie him in an open boat
and set him adrf Then the Lord have mercy Oh him.
What say you"
shout of appreciation the response, and they hur
red W to the shore. In the meantime the stormgrew
loud and when the dark night their torches beaten out
by wind and ran The great crowd heard the angry waves
dahng over the rude pier their courage aed and seven
only were found ready for the enterprise. Camberlng up
nm the deck with their victim in their midst, the cables
were cut, and the little bark, like frightened bird, flew
out to
Perhaps no scene ever painted itself the canvass Of
real life so startling weird and strange this While
the souheared skipper steered the bark the convict as
sisted nv tur of his companions tied W to the open
boat and the preacher kueeng upon the dec was heard
between the pauses of the thunder f above waves and
wind calling upon heaven to bless their unholy act
The open lake was gained and the wreched man, re-
radess of his entreates and screams given to the
foamng In glare of lightning that was followed
by deaennr peal of thunder, they their victim rise
upon huge wave then plunge into darkness and dea DE-
yond Short time had the executoners to dwell upon ae
ruthless deed Their lives in jeopardy storm SO
violent has seldom been equaed and the little craft was
worked save the skipper by unskful hands desperate
Efforts were made regain the bay but the entrance was
narrow intricate, while commands grossly msundersooo
were promptly executed that the bark run upon ledge
of rocks and quickly went pieces Two only its strange
crew were savedthe clergyman and the convict togehe
reached the Shore
Some three years after these strange events the Rev.
Mr. H was awakened one night by request to come
Immediately and administer religious consolation to prs
oner who, in attempting escape from jail had oeen NOR
tally wounded by the sentinel on duty. The Rev. genue-
man. folding his cloak about him. and accompanied by The
aer threaded his way hro and seet to the prison.
They found the prisoner wrilhing in pain upon his bed
the gloomy CELL lit by dim candle, and alone, for the sur
geon had pronounced his case hopeless
You've come at last "he growed as the clergyman, ap-
proaching his bed took from beneath his cloak book and
began the duties pertaining TO his sacred mission "fouve
cume at last thought I'D go down before you got here
"May you be spared for repenance let us lose no tIme'
"No you don't !Im bound to go downtown. Don't
be fooling didn't send for that"
"The sands of life are running fast. In few moments
YOU will be in the presence your Judge and repentance
then will be- Of no avail"
at will not avail me now" said the criminal
"Think of your past lie-think Of the punishment that
is to follow ~
The answer to this was frantic Of laughter, that
made even the jalor's blood tngle with alarm.
81 will not remain said Mr.. H sternly "aad hear
this awful mockery. warn you now-beware."
''Well, sen then-don't you know me ~
The clergyman held the candle to the conyicrs face,
and started with asonishment.
ooh you know me, do you You remember the night
we tossed W board-how he prayed Z. Oh !!
oh look to your sefn'
81 did my duty"
"Ah, ah you did, did you You did your duty in
drowning poor fellow for murder he committed"
tremor like an ague ran through the listeners frame,
and there he stood as dismayed.
ale never did the deed murdered Mllie Woods
chased her to the garret and killed her. was there rob-
bing the house when W came. | heard him speak
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