The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-20

Alone, with his hand pressed to his
aching brow alone, with his conflicting
emotions, and no eye, save that of the
Father, upon him, sat the Governor in his
private apartment, while before him were
strcwn mass OF papers.-Slate documents
and piles of opened and unopened letters
in dire confusion. Butuot on any Of these
were his eyes resting, but on a paper to
which was appended n long array Of names
and which single glance proclains to he
petition.
Yes, it was a petition, offered by the
inhabitants OF the Town in which he was
a resident, praying for rcprieve in the
case Of Walter LINDSAY, he whom We
havs seen ronhemed to death for the crime
Of murder, in the preceding chapter.
Although circumstances had proved
him guilty, and a jury Of honest, God.
fearing men had pronounced their verdict
accordingly; yet in the minds Of his follow
towosincn generally, vague disbelief OF
luis guilt prevailed. -
There WAS nothing in the visible part Of
his character to warrant such bdeous
idea. He had lived from iniancy among
them. HIS boyhood had given promis OF
noble ,hiug>, and maturity had redeemed
the PROMISE ut his youth. lie had always
been fsvorite among not only his com
nnnionS, but among their par ents, who es-
tecmed him highly rs an associate for
their children
He possessed fine intellect, which no
pains within his means had been spared
Ia cultivate and refine; and rs the years
rolled round that at length crowned him
with the tiara Of manhood, he steadily
advanced in all those qualifications whlcl,
enleared him to his friends and acquain-
ces throughout the whole community.
And it was knowledge of his virtues,
and of the total absence of the vices pos.
sessed 10y most persons Of his age, that SO
firmly convinced them OF the truth Of his
assertion Of his innocence. He had becn
known, also, favorably known, TO the Gov
ernor; for, though not strictly speaking, q
member Of the aristocracy- wealth,
mere doll RS and cents. constitute aristoc-
racy-yet his irrepro oschable character, his
brilliant and richly.stored mind, gave hi u
an en,ree into the Art society, and he
had been often guest at lis own house.
And now he sat-that gray-baired, no.
ble-lonking Old man-with saddened
heart, pondering the seemingly inevitable
fate winch awaited the youth.
poor, unfortunate boy r. exclaimed
the Governor, dasiling away the moisture
gathering in his eye. "Poor boy to die
so young, and in such manner, while
the future lay 40 bright before him !"
20, my father, and must he die Is
there no hoper' said sad. but silver.ton
ed voice, and pair Of white arms encir.
eled lovingly the old mans neck, and
pair Of mournful eyes were lifted implor-
ingly to his.
"Ah, Eva, my child, are you herel ]
thought myself alone" said he, in surprise.
mo, dear Eva, there is no hope for poor
Lindsay"
"Nonei o, you will not, you cannot
refuse to grant this petition ]" pointing 10
the paper before him. "He Is innocent.
You have known him from his youth, and
you know he could never perpetrate the
foul deed Of which, heis accused r.
at seems very strange, / admit.
know OF no motive to actua,e him in the
commission Of such crime" replied her
father.
Il would pledge my life that he never
committed the actw exclaimed tl'e girl.
with spirit. "You viii sure grant this pc.
tiiiou. fal,eris she continued, anxio,siy
watching tie Goveraor's face.
"Alasi my child, | cannot! A jury
of h:a coantryme1 have proved him guilty
upon the strongest kind Of circumstantial
evidence. His own knife. with his name
engraved upon the handle, was fonnd bu-
ried In the murdered man; he was seen
walking in he company near pightfalI,
not fas fr.m The spot where the murder
was commiitsa; and Ills well known that
high worls had passed between them bu,
fs~ days before And, however much
Imay teafet Il, I feel that | have uo right
to use NV prsrogaiise OF reversing the
sentence Of his jadgef
.lAad this Is foar decisioos .heai You