Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-13

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to see the execution. ss.as
1t is the custom On these occasions fo
the several corporals to cast lots for thi:
disagreeabIe office: and when every out
expected to have seen the lots cast as usual
they were SIR prised to find that the majo
had given orders, that the prisoner shoult
die BY the hands of his own brother, W he
was only private man in the same com
pany and when the cruel order arrived
was taking his leave of his unhappy
brother, and with tears fast flowing. thai
lccxxnressed the anguish Of his soul, was
hanging for the last time about his neck
On his knees d. a. the good fellow beg
that he might not have hand in his
brothers death; and the poor prisoner,
forgetting for moment his petitions to
heaven, begged to die by any hands but
these Of a brother. The unrelentng off.
Ger, however, could by no means be pre-
vailed on to revoke his cruel sentence.
though entreated to do so by every inferior
officer Of the regiment, but on the contra
nv, he swore that he, and he only, should
be the exeeutioner, ii was merely for ex-
arr pies sake, and to make justice spear
more terrible. When much time had been
wasted in frultless endeayors to soften the
rigor of this inhuman sentence, the prison.
er prepares to die and the brother to be
the executioner.
The major, strict to his maxims Of cru
city stands close to see that the piece was
properly loaded, which being done. he
directs that the third motion of his cane
signal Of his discharge. and at the third
motion receives Gnstead Of the prisoner)
the bullets through his own head.
The man had no sooner discharged his
piece, than throwing it on the ground, he
exclaimed as follows He that can give
no mercy, no mercy let him receive
Now submit had rather die this hour
for his death, than live ar hundred years
anc take away the life Of nv brother -
No person seemed to be sorry for this un-
expected piece OF justice on the inhuman
major, and the man being ordered into
custody, many gentlemen present. who had
been witnesses Of the whole affair, Joined
to entreat the officers to defer the exccu-
ton Of the other brother till the queens
pleasure should be known. This request
being complied with. the city chamber that
very night drew up very feeling and
pathetic address TO her majesty, setting
forth the unparalleled cruelty and char
acter Of the deceased officer and humbIy
intreating her majesty's pardon 70, both
the brothers.
The petition was granted the brothers
were pardoned and discharged from their
service in the army, and the queen re-
ceivrd from the city most grateful adj
dress Of thanks for her " eli-timed mercy.
THE CANISTER.
At Tunbridge in the year IT'S, gen.
tleman, whose name was Hedges, made
very brilliant appearance; he had been
married about two years to a young lady
OF great beauty and large fortune they
had one child, a boy, on whom they be-
slowed all that affection which they could
spare from each other. He knew nothing
of gaming, nor seemed to have the least
passion for play; but he was unacquaint-
ed with his own heart; he began by de-
grees to bet at the tables for tritling sums
and his soul took fire at the prospect of
immediate gain; he was soon surrounded
with shal pers, who with calmness lay IN
ambush for bis fortune, and cooily took adj
vantage of the precipi'ancy Of his pas
slons.
His lady perceived the ruin Of her fami-
ly approaching. but at first, without being
able to form any scheme TO prevent it
She advised with his brother, who at that
time was possessed of small fellowship
in Cambridge. 1t was easily seen, that
HOT I, al L.. i
bands mind, seemed there to be fixed un-
aterably it WAS determined, therefore,
to let him pursue his fortune, but previ
ously take measures to prevent the pursuits
beng fata'.
Accordingly, every night this gentle
man was constant attendant u: the haz-
ard tables; he understood neither the arts
Of sharpers, nor even the allowed strokes
of conn oisseur. vet still he played. The
consequence is obvious he lost his estate,
his equipage, his wife's jewels, and every
other movable that could be parted with,
except repeating watch. His agony
upon this occasion was indispensable he
was even mean enough to ask gentle
man who sat near, TO lend him few
pieces, in order to turn his fortune; but
this prudent gamester, who plainly saw
there was no expectation of being repaid,
refused TO lend larthing. alleging form
cr resolution against lending. Hedges
was al last furious with the continuance
of i'll success; and pulling out his watch,
asked if any person in company, would
Sc: him sixty guiueas upon 1.-THE com
pany were silent. He then demand d
filty-stil no answer. He sunk to forty,
thirty finding the company stillwlhout
answering he cried ont, it shall never go
for less" and dashed it against the floor.
at the same time, attempting to dash out
his brains against the marble chimney
piece. ==..,..=.3l. 5+5..
The last act of desperation Immediately
excited the attention of the whole COM
pany; they instantly gathered round, and
prevented the effects of his passion; and
after he again became cool, lie was permit
ted to return home with sulen discomfort.
to his wife. Upon his entering her apart
ment, she received HIM with her usual
tenderness and satisfaction; while he an
swered her caresses with contempt and
sternness his disposition being quite al
tered with his misfortnnes. But my dear
Ian,m,. - says his wife Unerbaps M, don 4