Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-09-23

ljulge. The trial was soon over, an,
thR jury were not out more than hal
t an hour, before they returned ant
} prpnounced him worthy of death
: le4Ting it to the judge to decide il
f What manner he should die.
We'll, boys, you have acted wisely
anH as I am a merciful man, | deeld'
that at 100 clock this forenoon, hi
!, be tied to a tree, and six Of the bes
mafksmen load their rifles and have
dfack at him; and may God have
mercy on his soul. Mr.-,
Jones continued, addressing me, !
4 appoint you, with as many assistants
as you want, to see the law carried
into effect
! intimated to the honorable judge
that | Should like to be excused from
performing 50 disagreeable duty,
but, with savage look, he ordered
me to perform the task assigned to
me, and no more words about it.
Morgan had had fair trial; his
Iguilt was too evident; and as he lay
in the store, with his feet and hands
bound with strong cords, looking
dirtyi and ragged, with the blood
slowly dripping from his arm, where
a ball had lodged from the revolver
of Dory,1 l could not help plying the
poor wretch. He must have read
compassion in my face, for, making
an G fort to sit upright, in which he
was not successful, he asked for a
drink of water. / instantly handed
him some, and after drinking hearth
ly he appeared to feel relieved. l
asked himif there was anything else
l could do for him. He remained
silent for moment, and then said
The Judge has appointed you to
see that the sentence is carried into
effect, has he not?'
4 am sorry to say that he has,
Morgan,' I answered.
sWell, never mind. / would rath-.
er it we're you than some others.
But | have particular favor to ask
Of YOU Perhaps you will laugh and
think it IS weakness, but | can't help
it. Have yoa7a Bible atyour tent?'
/ told him / never travelled with
out one, and that | should be happy
to read To him.
Thank you,' he said. 4 have not |
looked into one for years, more
shame to me; if I had followed its
precepts should not have been here.
left him and walked back to my /
tent. Ho W I ha ted myself for the
part / had got to play in the murder,
for / could call it no better. 1t was
in vain I pondered plans for escape |
from my task. / could see no rem
edy, and the idea that l must assist
in the ex eeution almost drove me
frantic.
1t was now about nine. Morgan
had but one more hour to live. III
went to the head Of my bed, and
taking my Bible, left for the store,
where the prisoner was still confined.
A large collection of people had as
from the different bars, and
we're passing the time away in drink
ng, to give them an appetite for the
tragedy that was soon to be enacted.
Make way for the sheriff. shouted
,ne or two noisy fellows, as IIendeav-
ored to force my way into the pres
snce of Morgan.
Looks blame sight more like a
Minister. Don't you see his Bible?
aid another.
Ipassed into the store, where |
ound Morgan seated on a box. He
ooked pale and thoughtful, but a :
mile illuminated his countenance
vhen he saw that I had brought the {
,ook with me. II
i had almost given you up,
le observed as / seated myself by l
lin. |
made no reply, but commenced t
eading a chapter in a low voice. In a
u instant every head was uncovered
fithin the store. Morgan listened !
18th great attent ton, but by the t
lme that / had finished the third /
hapter, the loud voice Of Jones'
alled OUT l. I'd
Times up, bring out the prisoner
| slowly closed my book, and b
rose.' Morgan also arose, and / cut b
he cords that bound his feet and t
topped to the entrance of the store. b
Ie was now very pale, whether from t
'ss of blood, or anxiety, / did not 6
now.
While ] had been reading to him, g
~ lrn 49,