Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-09-04
miscellaneous.
From Household Words.
"Who Murdered DOwnie!v

ieBes hOcruecn, incurred the ulspleuSurc OF
the humber citizens, he was nssaied with
The question, "Who murdered Downe!"-
Reply and rcjoinder generally brought on n
collision between "town aud gowns" alIho'
the young gentlemen were accused of what
wns chronologicolly impossible. People
hive n right to be angry at being stigmatized
Ms murderers, when their nccusers have pro-
liability on their side but the stalking off" of
Downie occurred when the gownsinen, so
maligned, were in swaddlng clothes.
But there WIS time, when to be branded
Ms M nccomplice in the slaughter of Richard
Downie, made the blood run to the cheek of
mnDy youth, aud sent him home to his
hooks, thoughtful aud subducd. Downie
wns sucrist or janitor at Marischal College.
One of his duties consisted in securing the
gate by n certain hour; previous TO which
all the students had 10 assemble IN the con-
mon ball, where n Latin prayer WIS deliv-
cred 10y the principal. Whether, in dschnrg-
ing this function, Downie was more rigid
than his predecessors in office, or whether
he became stricter in the performance of il
nt one time than another. cannot now he as
certained but there can he no doubt thu, he
closed the gate with austere punctualiiy, and
that those who were not in the common hall
within n minute OF the prescribed time, were
shut out, and were afterwards repritnnnded
ard fined by the principal and proiessors-
The students became irritated nj this strict
ness, aud took every petty means of annoy
ing the sacrlst; he, in his turn, applied the
screw at other points of academic routine,
and n fierce war soon began to rage between
the collegnns and the humble finctionnry.
Downie took care that in all his proceedings
hc kept within the strict letter OF tile law (;
but his opponents were not so careful, aud
the decisions of the rulers were uniformly
against them, and in favor of Downie. Re-
primands aud fines having failed in produc-
ing duo subordnatiOn, rustication, suspension
and even the extreme sentence of expulsion,
had to he put in force; and, in the end, law
and order prevailed But secret and dead
ly grudge continued to be entertained against
Downie. Various schemes of revenge were
thought OF.
Downio was, in common with teachers
and taught, enjoying the leisure Of the short
New Years vacation-the pleasure heing no
doubt greatly enhanced by the nnnoyunccs
TO which he had been subjected during the
recent bickerings-when, MS he was one
evening seated with his family in his official
residence at the gate, messenger informed
him that a gentleman ut the neighboring
obeyed the summons, and was ushered from
one room into another, till at length lie found
himself in n large apartment hung with
black, and lighted by n solitary candle. After
Whiting for some time in this strange place,
about fifty figures, also dressed in black ulh
with black masks on their f6ces, presented
themselves. They arranged themselves in
the form Of Court, and Downie, pale with
terror, was given to understand that he was
about TO he put on his trial.
A Judge took his seat on the bench; n
clerk and public prosecutor sat below; jury
was empaneled in iront aud witnesses aud
spectators stood around. Downe at first set
down the whole affair as u Joke; but the pro-
ceedngs were conducted with such persist
entgrayly, that i'm spite of hmsef,he begon to
believe in the genuine mission of the awful
tribunal. The clerk read an Indictment
charging him with conspiring against the
liberties of the students Witnesses were
examined in due FORM the public prosecutor
addressed the jury; and the judge summed
up.
Gentlemen said Downe, "the joke has
been carried far enough-it is getting late.
md my wife aud family will he getting anx-
ious about me. II ] have been too strict
with you in time past, am sorry for il, aud
assure you will take more care in future"
"Gentlemen of the jury" said the Judge,
without paying the slightest attention To this
appeal, consider your verdict; aud, if you
wish to retire, do So"
The jury retired. During their absence
the most profound silence was observed
md d,except renewing the solitary candle that
burnt beside the judge, there was not the
slightest movement.
The jury returned and recorded verdict
of Guilty..
The Judge solmenly assumed huge black
cap, aud addressed the prisoner.
"Richard Downie The jury have unan-
monsly found you guilty of fconspirng against
the just liberty and inmunilies of the stu
dents of Mlorischnl College. You have wan
tonly provoked and insulted those inoifen-
sive lieges for some months, aud your pun 4,
ishment will assuredly he coudign. You
must prepare for death. In fifteen minutes
the sentence Of the court will be carried into |
effect"
The judge placed his watch on the bench.
A block, an axe, and n bag of sawdust were |
brought into the centre OF the room. A fig |
ure more terrible than any that had yet ap- !
peared came forward, and prepared to act the |
part of dooInstcr.
IL WIS NOW phst Hlunlgnti NeIe NhS no |
sound audible save the ominous ticking of
The judges watch. Downe became more
lnd more alarmed.
"For any sake, gentlemen" said the ter
rifed man, "let me go home promise that
you never ugain shull have cause for com
plaint."
"Rchnrd Downie," remarked the Judge, |
'you ore vainy wasting the few moments
hat nre left Won m anrth Won arp in the /
hands ofihose who must have your life. No
human power can save you. Attempt 10
utter one cry, and you are seized, aud your
doom completed before you can utter anoth-
or. Every one here present has sworn a
solemn oath never to reveal the proceedings
of this night; they are known to none but
LEaa.l l.c. md L.... IL. ..l.a e..