Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-03-06

and saw him enter the barn-in few moments the
roof was a sheet of flames.
Jared had been away from home that night-he
could not prove an Glibi-the witness cross-gues
toned but in all particulars appeared consistent anC
Jared Parker was found guilty of arson, and sen
fenced to the penitentiary for eighteen years
Mrs. Jacobs had removed from the neighborhood
during the time intervening between the commission
of the crime and the trial Every possible exertior
was made by Jareds friends TO ascertain her where
aboutS, but without success, and he was committed
10 gloomy cell in the State Prison.
i Anne Parker, with woman's determination, where
her exertion is called for In the OF loved one
resolved that Mrs. Jacobs should be found lmme-
dately she set about the search-gradually her means
were exhausted-then she a pensioner on the
bountieS of her relatives. Every phantom OF ru-
NOR, which gave suspicion of the woman's residence
was pursued by Anne, in confidence that she should
prove her husbands innocence until further search
seemed in vain; and it became the settled conclusion
that Mrs. Jacobs could no longer be among the liv-
ing.
Twelve years had elapsed-Jared Parker had yet
six to atone for the crime for which he stood con-
demned Still he protested his innocence-still he
declared it would one day be proclaimed.
He was a avorite with the officers of the prison;
his good conduct had secured him many favorS, and
at length reached the ears of the Governor of our
State. He visited the prison, heard jared's story,
and resolved to institute search for the Mrs. Jacobs
described. lie knew nothing of the exertions Anne
Parker had made, because he had not told Jared his
intentions.
lawyer employed to conduct the search for
the woman on whom the evidence rested. He was
on a visit to Cincinnati, and inserted advertise
ment in the papers, that by calling at certain office,
'ths woman could learn something greatly TO her
advantage
The advertisement was answered by an elderly la
/ dy who gave her name as Mrs. Jacobs. She stated
that she remembered the burning of the barn, but
that she had never heard of Parker's trial She had
known the woman who testified against him, but had
taken the part described in the circumstances
which secured his conviction, and believed that he
must have been The victim of conspiracy. To this
effect she made tie the facts
were laid before the Governor and Jared Parker
pardoned.
Twelve years he had been prisoner, under the
| ban of felon proScriptiOn-twelve years his family
had been without Its natural proteciOr-his home had
gone into the hands OF stranger-his father had
been gathered with the departed, and his mother, tot
tering ''the verge Of the tomb, mourned her eld-
est son dead Anne's health had been impaired
by her travels and the consequent exposures and p
vations and she was but the wreck Of the woman he
left in charge of his household when the officers OF
Justice had dragged him from it; his youthful ener-
gies were wasted-he was displrlted and broken in
constitution But he had not suffered deeply in
those mental agonieS, whose canker gnawing give
unnecessary PAIN one who had lived in the conf
dence of pleasant family, and had been privileged
TO enjoy all the outward pleasures which wealth and
standing in The improving country secured.
In a mansion of pride and egance for new coun-
try, where the forests were not yet cleared, all
the fields in blooming cultivation, by window that
looked out upon the stOrehOuSe OF the Williams
farm, on which the rain of twelve summers had not
yet beaten, reclined young man upon couch, from
which he never was TO rise-for year after year his
health had wasted-it was well mig spent
An elderly lady bent over him.
''What did you say, MOTHER"
Jared Parker is pardoned-he will be home to-
mOr:Ow-there are strange stories about, my son''
For several moments the young mans glazed eyes
were fixed with unea-thIy stare upon his parents
cOuntenance, one hand twitched The bed clothes
vously, the other graSped the mothers wrist
/ ''Alother, a villain,'' gasped Herbert Will
liams 've load here, mother, and he pressed bis
hand upon his heart until his breath was almost stop
ped-''a load, mother; l have wasted it for years.
Mrs. B'own'S dead or I'd make her tell it-She was
perjured. Jared's innocent-I put the torch 10 our
barn, motheT-I did it, mother, for reYenge-reUengs
/ | can die ROJr'
His lips continued TO move, but no sound fell from
them; the mother bent her son-her feelings we
would not attempt TO depict-in a few minutes his
lips were closed, his brow was cammy, the dews OF
death upon IL.
The mother had struggle 10 reveal the confession
which exposed her sons deep guilt, but circumstan-
ces required it.
This confession came to Jared Parker and family
with welcome that did much 10 soothe their sor-
rows.
''You forgive Herbert said Anne.
''He caused me twelve long years Of deep suffer
ing; | never harmed him. would have thought him
friend-but | forgive him ALL and hope God will
forgive him also,'' returned the husband.
We have changed names in this story, but the cir
cumStances are actual occurrences. We had the
facts from the Governor who granted the pardon
He was much censured by partiZanS for the abuse Of
the pardoning power, they knew not the influence:
that acuated his humanity
This tale teaches an important lesson-be not de-
ceived by appearances, judge not too hastily.
From the Louisville Courrerl
Terrible Tornado .--Fayetteville, Tennessee, in
/ Ruins!--t;reat destruction of PrOperty--La-
\ mentaoie loss of Life !--Fuil particulars Of
the Calamity!
NASHVILLE, Feb. 26-S p. m.
BY the mail tonight house in this city received th
following intelligence:
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. Feb. %.
A few minutes past four o'clock yesterday merning
great portion OF laid in ruins by storm