Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-02-09
VOLUME XII. NOT.

man, whom the alternate want and riot of an
evil life had made prematureIy old. There was
no trace of better days about him; but as his
many aliases were read over with the Indictment,
the last Of them was William Waterton The
evidence was clear; the facts were proved. The
prisoner had been companion of the robbers.
and active in breaking the laws of both God
and man !; but Francis Fairhold remembered the
boy who sat in his chureh-pew, and worked in
his warehouse, and though conscience Obliged
MN to concur IN the unanimous verdict of
guilty" his reasoning brought the whole jury
box to recommend him to mercy, in considera-
tion OF early seduction and a misguided youth.
The law had little mercy in those days; but
the judge being humane man, as Judges ought
to be, supported the petition which Mr.. Fair
hold, by great exertion, got up, and the capt.
tai sentence was committed to transportation.
His good work was scarcely finished, when our
good merchant received message one morning
from the governor Of Eewgate. saying that the
prisoner Waterton begged hard to see him.
Hoping an repulse of repentance might have
caused this, Mr.. Fairhold hastened TO see his
lost apprentice in the prison cell. The unhappy
man was more moved than could have been ex-
pected at his coming, and when they were alone
said
"sir, you have done great deal for me, and
ill deserved it; but couldn't cross the sea
without speaking to you of one thing. You
remember, almost year ago. when you STOP
ped at the Golden Lion on your way back to
London You had collected deal of money,
and I knew it, though you didn't know me, for
was one Of the three men who sat drinking
in Hobbies kitchen. We were all of the same
gang, and hearing that you were to 60 at
seven next morning, we laid plan to rob you
at lonely part Of the road, and l meant to
take your life, sir, because you had been my
master, and tried to keep me in order. | have
lived to be thankful that VIC were disappointed;
but, to this hour cannot understand why you
should have set out three hours before the
time"
Readers, the ehasm was wide between the
pious, upright merchant and the convicted telon;
but both learned within the walls of Newgate
what a wonderous work an overruling Provi-
dence had wrought by puny instrument. The
mouse which disturbed NV. Fairhold's sleep,
and rufled his temper, had been the means of
saving his life, and through him that of his in
tended murderer. Even on the hardened mind
of the latter the event explained by his old
master made an impression which proved kst-
ing, for hopeful accounts Of him was heard from
the penal colony. Francis Fairhold carried on
business for many year in Cheapside, and made
many Il journey among his country customers,
always calling at the Golden Lion. In memo
ry of his marvellous escape, he had a broad seal
engraved with the figure Of mouse, and this
motto "By it God preserved me- The mod
est, upright young man, whom he met on that
evontful day, became to him "a son through the
special favor Of his daughter Sophy. Kate
welded a neighbors son, and lived close by her
parents; but never did his increasing family
gather round the good merchants board, at
Faster or Christmas time, that he did not recall
the event of the wayside inn with fervent thank
fulness. Sometimes, too, he related it to i'm
patient spirits, with this exhortation " Never
get out of sorts at small annoyances, they may
be Gods messengers