Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-05-19

fully apparent to him. e
"Oh, if l could only free myself of these
irons" he would exclaim, ''Iwould die or
be free a7
He would often examine the shackles
and bolts, but they appeared too strong to
be broken. There was forelock in one
end ofthe bolts, which was driven through
and twisted, the other end being headed.
AT times he INDUCED the hope that his
hands would become so emaciated that
he could pull them through the shackles
but then he thought by that time his
strength would be so reduced that he could
effect nothing. tt f
He had been pondering one day over
the chances that had presented themsel-
YES to his nind-weighing this and bal
lancing that-when he said to himself
"This is thinking without acting this
will never do; il am to accomplish any
thing must make beginning !"-and
starting to his feet he went to the side of
the dungeon and groped his way, feeling
at the same time along the rough wall, he
at last found creyice in the rock With
much difficulty, and after repeated trials,
he succeeded in entering the point of the
! fOrelock little into the opening, and Civ
ing it twist, to his great Joy he had
Strengthened it considerably. With re-
newed vigor he continued his work, until
success crowned his labors-the forelock
was out of the bolt and his hands were
! free
This he looked upon as one step ac-
complished; the freedom of his hands was
great relief to him, and lie had the use
of them all the time, save when the man
brought him his meat and water; as he
always came at stated time, (about half
an hour after sunset, he was in no dan
ger of being caught with his irons Off
lie now began to work on the forelock of
his feet irons, and with the aid of the hand
shacEles and bolts, he at last succeeded
in freeing himself entirely from his fet-
ters.
He had as yet no fixed plan of escape,
and he now waited, hoping apaa(earing-
one moment adopting melhodlBy which
he thought he might procced-thc next
abandoning it as altogether infeasible.-I
Small indeed was his chance of escape
it was thousand to one against him.
There was the man who brought him
his food-his especial kccper--to be got
rid of-and then there were the guard
in the front to be eluded-aud after this
the rock to beeleared. TIE undertaking
was desperate-so desperate that one
might indeed quail in prospect oft, But
the desire for liberty was strong within
the heart of the prisoner, and to secure
it lie was willing to brave death in its
worst form-for without liberty he felt
that life was poor and valueless. Merry
ing his soul for the task, hope whispered
to him an assurance of success. He felt
with the poet
'SWhAtsre ffty--what thousand slaves
Matched to ths snew of a single arm
That strikes for liberty"
After adopting and rejecting many
plans, White came to the conclusion at
last TO kill the keeper who brought him
his food, rush to the top of the Moro,
and leave the rest TO fate. He waited,
agitatcd and impatient for the appoint
ed hour, The time flew swiftly by, and
at his usual hour the man entered the
dungeon with the daily supply of food
little dreaming of the danger that threat
ened him. As he deposited, the articles
within the prisoners reach, White look
ed at him steadfastly for moment, and
stroye to steel his heart to the plead
ings of humanity. But no-hO could not
find it in him to kill the poor creature
the thought made him shuddcr, and this
time he suffered him to depart. ITO
morrow night will do it,, thought White,
''buL not to night"
Tomorrow night came-and again the
courage Of the prisoner failed him rather
his feelings of humanity triumphed-he
could not nerve his arm to strike the
blow. "Would to Heaven there was any
other alternative !" thought he as the
doomed keeper, unconscious Of his peril,
slowly turned, and left the dungeon,
would that this man, who has never
injured mc-against whom l have not
the slightest will-might be saved "
His very soul recoiled at the idea of
striking him down and numbering him
in cold blood. But he felt it must be
done il he would escape thraidOm worse
! than death-the man stood in his way,
and must be removed, although no cur
sed the necessity which imposed the
fearful deed upon him.
Nearly all that night the prisoner paced
the narrow limits of his cell Thought
Was too busy for sleep. If he closed his
eyes for moment, fancy iloated in deeds
OF blood and violence, and he found no
rest At times he imagined the terrible
task was accomplished-the fatal blow
given-and stark and ghaslly the poor
keeper was stretched out before him dead!
the immortal spirit quenchsd by his,
hand-the stony eye glaring upon him
reproachfully, and the pale. blue lips
whispering murder in his ears. At such
times he would start from his troubled
sleep with the cold sweat streaming from