Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-26

pdIuCu4dr idsOf 70 dsh VI you. 4 eTHdpi
you will laugh, and think il is weakness
butt can't help it. Have you Bible a
your tentl"
told him l Inever travelled without one
and that should be happy to read to him.
Thank you,' he said. i have not look
ed into one for years, more shame to me
i'll had followed its precepts, should no
have been here"
/ left him and walked back to my tent
How hated myself for the part Ihad got tc
play in the murder, for l could call it nc
better. 1t wasin vain | pondered plans
for escape from my task. l could see nc
remedy, and the idea must assist in the
execution almost drove me frantic.
1t was now about nine. Morgan had
one more hour to live. went to the head
ofmy bed and taking my Bible. left for the
store, where the prisoner was still confined
A large collection of people had assem-
bled from the different bars, and were
passing the time away in one or two drinks
to give them an appetite for the tragedy
that was soon to be enacted.
Make way for the sheriff. shouted one
or two noisy fellows, as l endeavored to
force my way into the presence of Nor
gan.
Looks blame sight more like minis
ter. Don't you see his Biblel' said an.
other.
passed into the store, where l found
Morgan seated on box. He looked pale
and thoughtful, but smile Illuminated his
countenance when he saw that l had
brought the book with me.
4 had almost given you up he observ-
ed as seated myself by him.
made no reply, but commenced read
ing chapter in low voice. In an instant
every head was uncovered within hear
ing, and all was still within the store
o-gan listened with great attention, but
by the time that had finished the third
chapter, the loud voice Of Jones called
out.
Times up, bring out the prisoner
slowly closed my book, and arose.
Morgan also arose, and cut the cords that
bound his feet and stepped to the entrance
Of the store. He was now very pale,
whether from the loss of blood, or anxiety,
l did not know.
While had been reading to him, they
had 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 a
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 a
high plain just back of the store. l asked
Morgan if he was ready.
Cut these confounded cords, and take
my jacket off, so that may stand up like
a man. ne answered.
l bound his hand, and commenced re-
moving his jacket, when something fell to
the ground. | stopped to pick 1t up, and
found that it was a miniature. 1t repre-
sented young and beautiful female, hol-
ding in her arms a young babe apparently
only few months old. The mother was
looking at the child with such a look, as
only mother can give, while the child ap-
peared to be making playful effort to
reach a riglet of the hair, which fell in long
curls about her neck. l looked up and
asked, Morgan, whose portrait is this!-
He then for the first time observed that
had it.
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 1t is
all that have now
l feltas though good crying spell would
60 me good about that time. And ifa drop
fell uponh beautiful face, that was gazing
so sweetly at 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 shoul-
der at the picture with evident delight l
passed it round to them and every one of
those rough men appeared to have 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 new feeling seemed to flow
through my veins. Springing upon large
log, commenced rambling address. |
alluded to his poor wife and infant child,
their dependence on him for support; and
theanxiety and sorrowt they must feel should
they never hear from him again. Before l
had finished, heard the loud voice Of old
Jones, exclaiming.
Darn it all, boys, let the fellow go.
have got an old woman myself and half a
dozen children, and l kinderguessh how they
would feel if | should pop off,
Let the fellow CO. said some half do
zen Of the men who came down on the
river.
Let us decide the matter by putting ii
to votc,' exclaimed our old friend Jones
TO vote it is them said |, overjoyed al
my success. 'All those in favor of letting
Morgan so will please signify it by saying
yes
Yes! yesr roared nearly every voice in
the crowd.
l now turned to look at Morgan. He had
sank on his knees when the result of the
vote had been declared, and l sincerely
| believe that he made short acknowledg
ment to heaven for his wonderful preser-
vation. 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
l walked along with him towards my tent
and observed that it would be best for him
to leave and 60 TO some other mines al
once.
4 shall leave tonight he replied, 'bu'
there is one thing l should like to obtain
from you, and that is your Bible
Willingly Ireplied. and may it doyou
as much good as it has me-
l gave him some supper, and when he
arose to 60, put the Bible in his hand
He squeezed my fingers, and then taking
| his wife's miniature out, he forced 1t on me
saying, keep thatto remember meby, and
| was gone before l could reply.
| have the miniature now. And each
day when gaze at it, a sweet smile seems
/ - 81,