Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-11
Gbuitr Iiteratnrr.
JOHN JONES THE PEDLAR,
AND
SIMON GIRTY, THE RENEGADE.
BY K. LAMBoRN.
rD-.I..JaJ
! -CoacLuded.1


BY K. LANBoRN.
Concluded.
Provoked at their disobedience and incon- /
siderate haste, he refused to receive them I
and they returned to Westchester, and rent
ed a small house, where he recommended the I
profession Of the law. Not succeeding ac-
cording to his wish, his wife's health being {
delicate, and bis own being enfeebled by ex-
posure in the camp, and his subsequent peril
Of the shipwreck, he started ona tour through
the Western country, then but thinly set
tied beyond the Ohio. While sojourning
few days at the beautiful village of New
town, Ohio, William read an advertisement
from London paper, offering a reward of
three hundred pounds for the best dramatic
production. He took up the quill to COM
pete for the prize. On their return from the |
West it had become necessary for them to
stop few weeks in Newton to recruit their
health, where he employed his leisure time
in laying the foundation of the tragedy which
was TO win the prize. AS they spent most
of the day in company, and in excursions for
the benefit of their health, he occupied most
Of the night, and consumed much of the
@midnight oil" in the composition Of his
tragedy. And although his wife remonstrat-
ed against the absurdity of travelling for
health, while injuring it by his nightly toll,
yet to literary man, what are such remon-
strancesg
Our readers will now perceive that we have
brought them again to the beginning Of our
story, and will recognise in our travellers,
the prisoners who escaped from the Newton
jail. About six months after their escape,
mentioned in the first part Of this narrative,
as lawyer Snipes, he who before had caused
their arrest, was travelling through the coun-
try, he saw at a tavern, where they had stop
ped, two of the very persons who had eseap-
ed from the Jail. Taking a strip of paper
from his pocket, he took tie landlord aside.
and shelving him the advertisement con-
tanning the reward for their apprehension,
the sheriff was immediately procured. and
the fugitives retaken into custody. They
were Immediately returned to the jail from
which they had escaped, and again confined
toawait their trial; in addition to their former
crime, a bill was found against them for the
murder of the jailor. The trial came on
The court house was crowded with an excited
multitude. The evidence was entirely cir
eunsstantiol; but so strong against them
that no doubt existed respecting his convic
ton. William Musgrave had been seel
walking with the pedlar towards the river
and returning alone. The finding of the hat
which was sworn to be Jones' hat the hal
ON the bridge, muddy tracks of man com
ing towards the town, the pedlar's empt,
pocket book, the conversation of the prison
ers In the room, having been duly testified b
the several witnesses-the Judge summed u
the evidence, and charged the jury decided
ly against the prisoner; who, without lea,
ing their seats, gave a verdict of guilty. 1
accordance with the usual form, the prisone
was asked what he had to say why sentenc
should not be pronounced against him, a,
cording to law when William arose, an
said:
Il will not long detain the court from i
duist which it is bound to do without regar
70 my defence. Yet will say few wore
in explanation of the seeming mystery
which am involved; and the court ms
perform its painful duty. As to the conye
sation in the room-that has been alreac
explained by the examination of my papel
The plot spoken of is the plot of the TRACED
The pedlar who was in my room, and fro
whom bought few articles, | accompanit
to the river, and there left him to attend
business Of my own. What became of hi
that evening or since that time, know n,
know that am not believed, but my sto
Is done. The pocket book which the ped
{ left in my room, was an old one from viii
he transferred its effects to anew one. Nc
than this connect ed with his disappearan
! know nothing nor concerning our mys
nous release from prison only that we We
captured by Simon Girty and the India
whose prisoners we were until within a f
days Of our recapture by the minions Of
law
Inc Judge now rose to perform his du
William Musgraye,' said he, with d
sclemnity, you have been charged with
murder Of John Jones, you have -
Will it please the court to hear {
words said the hoarse voice of rou,
dressed, herce-lookirg g man near the door
The court must not be interrupted'
pied the judge in a tone Of authority.
IAe court shall be interruptedr shou
the hoarse voice in tone of defiance.
Silence, said the court.
Silence shouted the ruffian.
Arrest that man. cried the Judge.