Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-06-17


I did so a female form staggered forward,
and fell in my arms. hastily bore her down
the siai,s bv this time covered with cinders
from the burning roof, anu as | leaped from
the doc IL fell with terrible crash, shower
ing the sparks thicky around me. The per-
son had rescued was Mary Fisher; and the
old man and his wife pershed in the flames.
Nv horse had fed 10 alarm from The spot,
and as the nearest neighbours house was
four miles distant, we were compelled TO
walk il on foot. Day broke by the time we
reached the house. and leaving the disconso- :
late giil Al h,r neigbors. came Immediate
ly here, and found was few minutes too
late to lay my accusations before you FIRST
Such are the facts ia the case; although
they are almost exactly opposite 10 the state
ment made by Gray.
Clyde had delivered his story in an i'm
pressiye and convincing manner, but the jus
tice was puzzled which of the two he sho'd
believe. The advantage lay with Gray, as
he had made the accusation, and the state
ment oil Clyde might be only tale invented
TO upset the evidence of his accuser. Mel
ther had proof, as no one else saw the deed
and the square informed them that he knew
OF 40 way 10 dispose of the case impartialy,
unless be bound them both 10 the court.
TO this Cray strenuously objected. He
had appeared and accused Clyde. he said
that the real author of the late catastrophe
might be justly punished, and he thought
that to bind them both over, would have an
effect in deteriing others from making any
accusation against malefactors from their
own knowledge, unless they had positive
prooi of their guilt. He demanded that
| CLYDE should be held 10 bail and not him
self
| When he had flushed, Clyde once more
! got up, and turning TO the justice, stated
/ that as they both stood there without wit
B nesses, and consequently it did not lay 10 his
/ power TO tell the guilty one, with his per-
mission and the consent OF Mr.. Gray. he
would propose plan by which he hoped the
matter would be thoroughly setted. 1t was
this: sTheie Is an Infinite Being, sir. who
rules ia IA higher sphere than ours, aud Ia
whom al things are known, from whom
nothing can be concealed. | propose 10 Mr.
Gray, that we make an appeal 10 Heaven. and
let IheGod Of the Universe decide upon oui
guilt or innocence. feel that |, sit, am moi
a malefactor here. and challenge my accu-
ser in the presence Of this evidence, 10 ac'
cept my proposition.
Clyde ceased speaking, and amid an utter
stiffness. during which he became the cen
tre, of all eyes, Grey also arose and replied:
Il can sec no objection to Mr.. Clyde,
odTer,' said the justice.
"rhen let him 90 on, and l will follow
suit" answered Gray brazeniy.
Slowly David Clyde lell upon bende6
knees, and raising his face and arms towards
heaven uttered amid the most dcathlke ST.
ence the following appeal:
"Etsrnai Rsira, Thau -ho saAth md
knoweth all things and who only can tel
the guilt Of US two, into thy hands comml
nv innocence, and beseech Thee, Almighty
God. if am guilty Of the crime OF which
stand accused. to strike me dead in the mlds
of this ,heu most blasphemous appeal"
For full moment after he had finished
Clyde remained upon his knees, then rose L
his feet. and with folded arms. gazed s'owl
around him The countenance OF Gra
paied during the praye, of Clyde ont as ev
ery eve was upon him. he nerved himself I
the task, and also fell opon his knees an
with loud and hurried voice he repeated
the appeal, bur when he ca ne to the words
Almighty Gud if I am guilty OF the crime
|, which stand accused, TO strike me dead,
, his face became more white, and he Tell slo"
ly forward.
The stiffness which reigned at that awf,
moment was fearful. Not 'sound coul
be heard in that room. and it seemed as
every breath was hushed, so deadly silent d'
every person appear. At last the juslc
, who had bent forward mo;ioned for cor
, stable to approach, and turn ovei the bod.
lie did so, and every eye that looked tn
: way. beheld the icy face of a cor2Se' aud III
liyid hue OF death resting upon the count'
4 nance Of the blasphemer.
. They bore forth the corpse, an buried
= si'ent and alone in the prairie, and to tn
+ day the old farmers in the neigheorhoo
= shndder, as they recount to The passing tra'
= eer that fatal answer of-"The Appeal
| Heaven"