Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-25

81 am sorry to say that he has Morgan,
! answered.
"Well, never mind. I would rather il
were YOU than some othefs here. But /
have a particular favor 10 ask of you. Per-
haps you will laugh and think it is weak
ness, but can't help it, Have you Bible
at your tsHE2''.
told him that never travelled without
one, and that should be happy to read to
kiri.
,"Thank you," he said. ~ have not look
ed into one for years, more shame to me;
if | had followed its precepts, / should not
Have been here"
left him and walked back to my tent.
How hated myself for the part had got
to play in the murder, for could call it no
better, 1t was in vain | pondered plans to
escape from the task. ] could see ND rem
sdy, and the idea that must assist in the
execution almost drove me frantic.
1t was now about nine. Morgan had one
more hour to live. Went to tie head of
my bed, and taking my Bible, left for the
store, where the prisoner @ds still confined.
A large collection of people had assembled
from the different ba'S, and were passing the
time away IN 6he or two drinks, to give
them an appetite for the tragedy that wss
soon to be enacted.
MAKE way FIR the sheriff" shouted one
or two noisy fellows, as endeavored to
force my way. into the presence of Morgan:
''Looks blamed sight more like min
ister. Don't YOU see his Bible?" said an
other:
passed into the store, where l foaHd
Morgan seated on box. He looked pale
and thoughtful, but smile Illuminated his
countenance when he saw that had brought
the book with me-.
"I had almost given you up" he 6bsers-
ed, as I seated myself by him.
l made no reply, but commenced reading
i chapter in a low voice. In an instant ev&
cry head was uncovered within hearing, and
all was still within the store. Morgan lis
tened with great attention, be't by the time
| had finished the third chapter, TIE load
voice of Jones called out
Times up, bring out the prisonst!''
l slowly closed my book, and arose
Morgan also arose, and cut the cords that
bound his feet and stepped to the entrance
fthe store. He was now very pale, wheth-
er from the loss Of blood, or anxiety, l did
not know.
While had been reading to him. they.
been drawing 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
third party, two of them with nothing but
powder so that it should not be known who
Shot him.
We walked along with the prisoner, to
the spot that had been chosen. 1t was
high plain Just back of the store. | asked
Morgan if he was ready.
"Cut these confounded cords, and take
nay jacket off, so that may stand up like
a man." he answered.
bound his hand, and commenced remov-
ing his jacket, when something fell to the
ground. l stopped to pick it up, and. found
that it was q miniature. 1t represented
young and beautiful female, holding in her
arms young babe apparently only few
months Old. The mother was looking at
the child with such a look, as only moth
er can give, while the child appeared to be
making playful effort to reach rlnglet of
hair, which fell in long curls about her neck.
I looked up and asked, Morgan, whose
portrait is this p
He then for the first time observed that |
had 1t.
"That is the portrait ofmy wife and child,
Whom I 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 her beautiful face, that was gazing
so sweetly at her child, let me hope that it
did not tarnish the bright colors Of the pic
ture.
In the meantime large crowd had as
sembled, and were gazing over my shoul-
der at the picture with evident delight. l
passed it round to them, and every one of
those rough rnen appeared to have a spark
Of human feeling in their breasts, that only
needed to be touched to produce good re-
suits, had never made speech in my
life, but rev feeling seenIed to flow
through my veins. Springing upon large
log, commenced ranging address. | al
}pded to his poor wife and infant child their
dependence on him for sItpport; and the
anxiety and sorrow they must feel should
they never hear from him again. Before l
had finished, heard the loud voice of old
Jones' exclaiming.
''Dsrn it all, boys, let the fellow go. l
have GOT an old woman myself, and half a
dozen children and kinder guess how they
would feel #. | should pop off"
"Let the fellow 60" said some half doz-
en Of the men who came down on the river.
"Let us decide the matter by putting it to
Vote" exclaimed our old friefd Jones.
f'Fo vote It is then," said I, overjoyed at
my success. Cali those in favor of letting
Morgan go will please signify it by saying
yes"
"Yesl yes p roared nearly every voice IN
the crowd.
now turned to look at Morgan. He had
sank on his knees when the result of the
vote had been declared, and | sincerely be-
lieye that he made a short acknowledgement
to heaven for its wonderful preservation
He arose from his knees and taking my
hand he thanked me with tears in his eyes
for the interest had taken in his trial. ]
walked along with him towards my tent,
and observed that it would be best for him
to leave and 60 TO some other mines at once
81 shall leave tonight" i" he replied, "but
there is one thing | should like to obtain
from you, and that is your Bible"
Willingly" replied, "and may it dc
vo,, a- much GOOD a, n hoe mo -