Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-08-25

coat sleeve, and as w ood, had been robbed
OF some gold and silver Of peculiar char.
acter, two or three of the pieces were
found upon the Unfortunate mans person.
This riyited the final link, and the crowd
grew furious Little M:llie so loved and
loving, aliremembered as child of their
own, and she had been butchered for gold
the law seemed too slow and mild for
vengeance; and the great crowd now swell-
ed to hundreds, sway ed to and fro shouting
angrily for blood. l a.ss@ss.sssse ssss3s s
i A convict but lately from prison, has.
tened forward with rope, and threw it
over post, while some Of the ci,izens in
answer to this mute suggestion, hurriedHthe
untortunate man towards the imPromtu
gallews. s *
.'Oh, gentlemen!" screamed the young
man frightened at what appeared to be his
inevitable fate-"haye mercy on mel am
innocent--indeed am-have mercy"
His voice was drowned in a roar from
the crowd. 'sWhoa had mercy on little
Milliea Kill him, kill him!' and again
they pushed him on towards the fatal post.
"Oh, eGod" shrieked the young man in
bitter anguish and trembling like child,
twill no one pity me? 1 have widowed
smoiher-mercy, mercy-wait q little while
only little while.''1s
y One only answere this last appeal. A
young lawyer Of eminent ability, and per-
sonal popularity, sprang forward, severed
the rope, and then in5a clear silyery voice,
that rung out high above the tumult, said:
. "MY friends, be careful of your acis.-
You are about. to doswhat in this man you
condemn ed-an. awful murder. Chain
him down--do what you will to secure the
criminal, bat respect the law--'' > 7~a.
8 sand give Squire B chance to
clear him, y interrupted the convict l. have
mentioned. g ssssss ssgs Y s4s+
ITO the man fresh from the cells, | have
nothing to say; but TO you, my compon-
ions, neighbors and friends, 1 appeal
earnestly appeal. Why: will you do this
cruel thing? What right have you to
commit murder2 How will you answer
to the great giver of all things for this?-
Where lis your authority y?'' ~
s 'sW hosoeyer sheddeth mans blood, by
man shal. his blood be shed," responded a
harsh, solemn voice, and the crowd turning,
saw where torch waved overs a stern, un.
feeling face, the countenanee of their
preacherl It was time gathering feel
ing, checked by some great obstacle, paus-
es in its rash career, and for a moment
there seems q doubt which way the tide
will flow. The awful passage so solemnly
quoted, fell ON the crowd at that moment,
when the slightest word would have turned
them from their purpose; and, stimulated
as it seemed 10 them by command from
heaven, they once more seized their caps
tive, when the old captain, whom W
had importuned for a passage, claimed to
be heard
q "Comrades," said he, Squire B.
thinks we hadn't ought to hang this fellow.
Well, ! tell you what we'll do He want
ed to sailswith me this day. lie shall do
so. Well take him outside the bay-lie
him in IN open boat and set him adrift.-
Then the lord have mercy on him. What
say you. z S :sosaz5 -
sr A shout ofapprobation was the response,
and they hurried W. 10 the shore. In
the storm grew loud, and, when
in the dark night, the great crowd heard
the angry waves dashing over the rude
pier, their courage failed, ,saBd seven only,
were found ready for5the enterprise.-
Clambering upon the deck, with their vic>
tim in their midst ,sihe cables were cut, and
the little barque like a frightened bird few
ONT to sea. - = go -
Perhaps no scene ever painted itself on
the canvass of real life SO startling, weiro
and. d.sfrange as this.ssWhile the stout heart.
ed skipper steered the bark, the convict,
assisted by fouro Of his companions, tied
W. to5the open boat, and the preacher
kneeling upon the deck, was heard between
tbs pauses of the thunder, far above waves
and wind, calling upon heaven to bless
their unholy act. si sIs=szE77 asffi .!'s $
The open lake was gained, and the
wretched man, regardless of his loud en-
treaties and screams was gwen TO the foam
ing waves. In glare Of lightning, that
was followed by q deafening peal Of thun-
der, they saw their victim rise upon a
huge wuse, then plunge into darkness and
death, beyond. e
Short time had the executioners to dwell
upon their Futhlessdeed.a Their lives were
in jeopardy; a storm sosiolent has scarcely
sbeenequailed, and helittle craft was work.
ed, save blythe skipper,with unskillfal lhands.
Desperate efforts were made to regain the
Bay, but the entrance was NARROW md in
9tricate ,ewhile commands grossly misun-
ders,ood, ,swere, promptly executed. SO that
the bark ran uponsa ledge of rocks gand
quickly went toi piecesa FWo only Of its
strange crew were saved-the clergyman
and convict reached the shors.sasv bae os7
rs Some three yeafs safidras these strange
events, the Reys Mr.. H------ was sawaken-
ed one night sbyarequesttto come immedi
ately, and administer religious consolation
10 prisoner, who 10 attempting To escape
from jail had been mortally wounded by
The sentinel on doty.t The reverend gen.
tlemans folded his cloak about him, and &C.
companied by the jailors;threaded his way
Ethrough thasnow and sleet TO the prison. :,
Lai 'Eheyfonnds the prisoner writing 10 pain
lupon his beiingthe gloomy cell, by, a; din
iFcandle and alone. forathe surgeon had pro
Is f,xo,,ycaa h;x o,ee, honolreo se4 -.--. =, II.