Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-10-14


when, as he was one evening
seated with his family in bis officia
residence at the gate, messenger
informed him that a gentleman at 8
neighboring hotel wished TO speaE
with him. Downie obeyed the
summons, and was ushered from on,
room into another, till at length he
found himself in a large apartment
hung with black, and lighted by q
solitary candle. After waiting fof
some time in this strange place
about fifty figures also dressed in
black, and with black masks on their
faces, presented themselves. They
arranged themselves in the form OF a
court, and Downie, pale with terror,
was giving to understand he was
about to be put on his trial.
A judge took bis seat on the
bench; clerk and public prosecutor
sat below; jury was empanelled in
front; and witnesses and spectators
stood around. Dawnie at first set
down the whole affair as joke; but
the proceedings were conducted
with such persistent gravity, that, in
spite Of himself, he began TO believe
in the genuine mission Of the awful
tribunal. The clerk read sn indict-
ment, 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 Downie, "the
joke has been carried far enough-it
is getting late, and my wife and
family will be anxious about me. If
| have been too strict with you in
time past, | am sorry for it, and |
assure you | will take more care in
future"
"Gentlemen Of the jury" said the
judge, without paying the slightest
attention 10 this appeal, "consider
your verdict; and il you wish TO
retire do So"
The Jury retired. During their
absence the most profound silence
was observed; and, except renewing
the solitary candle that burnt beside
the judge, there was not the slight
est movement.
The jury returned, and recorded a
verdict of GUILTY.
The Judge solemnly assumed a
huge black cap, and addressed the
prisoner:
"Richard Downiel The jury have
unanimously found you guilty of
conspiring against the just liberty
and immunities Of the students Of
Marischal College. You have wan
tonly provoked and insulted those
inofiensive lieges for some months,
and your punishment will assuredly
be condign. You must prepare for
death. In fifteen minutes the sem
tence of the court will be carried
into effect"
The Judge placed his watch on the
bench. A block, an axe, and bag
of sawdust, were brought into the
centre OF the room. A figure more
terrible than any that had yet ap-
peared came forward, and prepared |
TO act the part OF doomster.
1t was now past midnight; there
was no sound audible save the
ominous ticking Of the judges /
watch. Downie became more and
more alarmed.
"For any sake, gentlemen" said
the terrified man, "let me home.
promise that you never again shall
have cause for complaint"
"Richard Downie," remarked the
Judge, "you are vainly wasting the
lew moments that are left you on
earth. You are in the hands Of
those who must have your life. No
human power can save you. At
tempt to utter one cry, and you are
seized, and your doom completed be-
lore YOU can utter another. Every
one here present has sworn a solemn
path never to reveal the proceedings
of this night; they are known to
none but ourselves; and when the
object for which we have met is
accomplished, we shall disperse un-
known to any one. Prepare, then,
or death; another FIVE minutes will
be allowed, but no more"
The unfortunate man in an agony
Of deadly terror raved and shrieked
or mercy; but the avengers paid no
need to his cries. His ievered,
trembling lips then moved as il in
silent prayer; for he felt that the
brief space between him and eternity
was but as a few more ticklings Of
hat ominous watch!
"Nowr' exclaimed the judge.
Four persons stepped forward and
ieized Downie, on whose features
,old, clammy sweat had burst forth.
They barred his neck, and made him
Lneel before the block.
"SlrikeI" exclaimed the judge.
The executioner struck the axe on
he floor: an assistant on the oppo-