The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-05-31


bod, and taking my Bible, leit for the store,
where the prisoner was still confined. A
lArge collection Of peopla had assembled from
the different bars, and we're passing the time
away TN taking one or two drinks, 10 give
them an appetite for tho tragedy that was
soon 70 be enacted.
Make way for the sheriff. shouted one
or two noisy. follows, a. I endeayored 10 force
my way into the presence Of Morgan.
Looks more like minister. Don't you
SEQ his Bibe,7 said another.
] passed into the store, where found Nor
gan seated on box. Iie looked pale and
thoughtful, but a umile illuminated his eoun-
tebsnes when bs saw that had brought the
book with mo
u had als'f.=' Ffveu yUu up" lie observed,
as ] seated myself beside him.
] made no reply, but commenced reading
chapter In a low voice. In an instant every
head within hearing was uncovered, and all
wns still within the store. Morgan list,ned
with great attention, but by the time had
finished The third chapter, the lo1d voice Of
Jonos called out.
"Iimo's up, bring out the prisoner"
slowly closed my book, and arose. Nor
gan alec arose, and cut the cord that bound
ibis feet and stepped toward the entrance OF
the store. lie was now yory palo, whether
from the loss Of blood, or anxiety, did not
know.
While had been reading 10 him, they had
drawn lots ON the outside, aud six Of the best
marksmen on the Tiver bad the chance or
shooting at the poor fellow. Their rifles were
taken and loaded by third party, two Of
them with nothing but powder, 80 that Il
should not be know ~ho shot him.
We walked alo,.S -,,h In, prisoner to the
spot that had been chosen. asked Morgan
IL ho was ready. .'I
',Cnt theso epnfountss.l cords, and take my
jacket of, so can stand up like man." he
answered.
unbound his hands, and commenced re-
moving his jacket, whom something fell 10 the
ground. stopped to pick Il up, and found
it was miniature. It represented a young
and beautiful woman, holding in her hands a
babe, apparently only a foN months old. The
mother was looking pt the child with such
look as only = mother can give, while the
child appeared to bc making playful effort
30 reach n rinelst Of her hair which fell in
long curls about her neck looked mn and
II Tie then Tor the urst urup OusUrvcu tuat J
had gotit
''This is the portrait Of my wife and child
whom ioft In New Fork, . he saId,and burri
-. -. uI,-,, :, ,.:,k -, g.. "a =. I'll th -
have now"
felt as though n good crying spell would
, do me good, about -that tfniis, SHd II a drop
, fell upon that beautiful face, that was gazing
, 80 swoetly at her child, let me hope that il
, did not tArnish the bright eolors OF the pic
ture.
3 In the mean time large crowd had assem-
!, bled and were gazing over my shoulder n
the picture, with eTidentdolight passed.
= round to them, and every ono Of those rougl
q men appeared to have a spark ofhuman feel
ing in their breast, that only needed TO b
touched 10 produce good results. had nev
a or made speech in my life, but new feel
a ing seemed TO flow through my veins. Spring
d ing upon large log, commenced ramh
: ling address, knew that human being wa
! in danger,nnd that might possibly save hin
ts I alluded to his poor wife and infant chile
% their dependence on him for support; an
I the anxiety and sorrow thoy must feel shoul
N they never hear from him again. Before
\ had finished, heard the loud voice OF Johe
ID exclaiming- ...
Is aDarn it all, boys, let the fellow go. lhA'
got an old woman myself, and half d dozc
IL children, and can kinder guess how the
re would feel, II should pop off.
no " Yes let him go," said half dozen Of Il
hc most influential men onShc river.
n "Put II TO vote, boys put il 10 vote" sal
I another,
Ie "To vote Il is, them" said I, ovcrjoyed
n my success "Alt those in favor Of lettir
he Morgan so, will please signify it by sayir
,k ycs.'
,d "Yes ycsl" roarcd nearly every voice
al the crowd.
mo- now turned to look AZ Morgan. He hT
~. sank on his knees when the result Of the vo
AL had been declared, and sincerely belic'
he made a short acknowledgment to Heayt
IA. for his wonderful preservation. He aro
no from his knees and taking my hand he thanl
ed me, with tears in bis ewes, for the intere
m. | had taken in his trial. wa.scd along wit
him towards my tent, and ob~frvcd thai
il would be best for him to leave and go to son
We other mine at ones,
Ips II shall leave tonight" he replied, ''b
uTthgre Is oHU rhfng fshUuid like 20 obtain fF''
,ur you, and that is your Bible"
"wilinkiy,T replied, Hand may il do "
mt as much good as Il has done me-"
10 Igave him some supPerand when he arp
to go, / put the Diblein his hand Hesqaee
ed cd my fingers, and then taking out his sritF
al miniature, he forced it uPeS me, saying, "kcS
On il to remember me by" and was gone befol
l could reply.
- have the miniature row. And each d'
ad when ! gaze at il a sweet smile seerns@to pll