Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-08-11

him some, and after drinking heartily, h
appeared to be relieved. Iaske3 him
there was anything else that ] could d
for him. He remained silent for me
nent and then said:
\ "The judge has, appointed you to Sc
that the sentence is carried into effect, ha
he not? >
81 am sorry to say that he has, Nor
gan," answered.
swell, never mind. would rather
were you than some others here. But
have particular favor to ask of you.-
Perhaps you will laugh and think it i
weakness; but | can't help it. Have 20,
a bible at your tent2'
! tod him that never travelled without
one, and thu; should be happy to read i
to him.
"Thank you,'' said he. 81 have no
looked into one for years, more shame tc
me; i'll had followed its precepts, | should
not have been here.''
left him and walked back to my tent
How hated myself for the part that / had
got to play in the murder, for could call
it no better. 1t was in vain that pom
dered plans to escape from my task. !
could see no remedy, and the idea that
must assist in the execution almost drove
me frantic.
TWAS now about nine. Morgan had
one hour more TO live. went to the head
Of my bed, and taking my Bible, left for
the store, where the prisoner waslconfned.
A large collection Of people had assembled
from the different bars, and were passing
the time away in taking one or two drinks,
to give them on appetite for the tragedy
that was soon to be enacted. @
snake way for the sheriff." shouted
one or two noisy fellows, as endeayored
to force nay way into the presence Of
Morgan.
"Looks Id sight more like a min.
lister. Don't ycu see his Bibles" said an
other.
passed into the store, where | found
Morgan seated on box. He looked pale
and thoughtful, but smile illuminated
his countenance when he saw that | had
brought the book with me.
81 had almost given you up,' he observ-
ee, as 1 seated myself by him.
l made no reply, but commenced read-
ing chapter in a low voice. In an in.
slant every head was uncovered within
hearing, and all was still within the store.
Morgan listened with great attention, but
by the time that had finished reading the
third chapter, the loud voice Of Jones call.
ed out: ~
"Time's up, bring out the prisoner.
| slowly closed my book, and arose, and
| cut the cords that bound his feet and step.
ped towards the entrance Of the store. -
He was now very pale, whether from loss
of blood or anxiety, did not know.
While had been reading to him, they
had drawn lots on the outside, and six Of
the best marksmen on the river had the
chance Of shooting at the poor fellow
Their rifles were taken and loaded by q
third party, two Of them with n o,hing
but powder, so that it should not be known
who shot him..
We walked along with the prisoner to
high plain just back Of the store. | asked
Morgan if he was ready.
ssCut these csnfounded cords, and take
my jacket of, so that can stand up like q
man." he answered
unbound his hands, and commenced re.
moving his jacket, when something fell to
the ground. stopped to pick it up, and
found it was miniature. 1t represented a
young and beautiful female, holding in her
arms babe, apparently only few months
old. The mother was looking at the child
with such look as only mother can give,
while the child appeared TO be making q
playful effort 10 reach ringlet other hair,
which fell in long curls about her neck
looked up and asked" ''Morgan, whose
potrait is this?''
He for the first time observed that had
il.
"That is the portrait of my wife and
child whom left in New York." he said
and burst into tears. "Bury it with me,
for it is all that have now"
| felt as though good crying spell would
do me good, about that time, and If drop
fell upon the beautiful face, that was gaz-
ing SO sweeily upon her child, let me hope
that it did not tarnish the bright colors Of
the picture.
In the meantime large crowd had as
sembled, and were gazing over my shoulder
at the picture with evident delight. /
passed it round to them, and every one of
these rough men appeared to have spark
Of human feeling in their breast that only
needed to be touched to produce good re-
suits. never had made speech in my
life, but q new feeling seemed TO flow
through my veins. Springing upon large
log, | commenced rambling address.
| knew that human being was in dan
ger, and that nigh, possibly save him.
|, alluded to his poor wife and infant child,
their dependence on him for support; and
the anxiety and sorrow they mus. feel
should they never hear from him again.
Before | had finished heard the loud
voice Of old Jones exclaiming-
'Darn it all, boys, let the feller go. !
have got an old woman myself, and half q
dozen children, and | can kinder guess
how they would feel if should pop off,"
"Yes let him co." said half dozen OF
the most influential men on the river.
''Put it to vote, boys, put it 10 vote,'
said another.