Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-04-19
( a TRUE STORY.
By REV. 5. d. FORD.

5 A. TRUE STORY.
81 By REV. s. H. FORD.
On the high limestone banks !
i the Missouri a company Of men wei
n gathered. 1t was . small town, il
: eorporated a city, and called after th
. name Of the fayorite Of the State--th
: sage Of Monticello. It Wasa brigt
summer morning The river, wit
! its green islands and sweeping curve
. sparkled beneath the sunlight an
i disappeared in the distant, over
z shadowing forest. A steamboat j
), seen. The sound of its scape-pip
ringing out onthe. still air bushes tn,
! wild music of the birds, and startled
the deer from their shady eoverts
4 Impatiehtly its approach is watched
! by fhe group, assembled on the shore
..Another gang,'' said one Of the
creWd as. the boat was made fast; and
chained together, about twenty un-
fortunate criminals were marched
ashore. s,zss7i ss5ssi.s.f, - ; -. s
do you see that fellow dressed in
black said some one near me. I'LL
be bound he's the grandest rasca. in
that gang
Hes a skinner : says another,
sjust look at his'e e.
"As sure as ] liye, whispered to
a friend, s.I know that young man S
history.s He S a young lawyer con-
demned. for counterfeiting:
] passed to the other side Of the
prisoners, and walked a few PAGES
nearerthe markedindiyiduaL. Hisface
looked palea and Norn. Modification
and despair were depicted on his in
telligent and handsome countenance.
Neatly dressed, with fine form and
noble parts, bis whole contour m
dicated the refined gentleman.
sWhat is his name, dressed in
black?' asked Of the guards.
Flemming," he answered. vas
satisfied. ss-ss
Poor man, ,''Iinvoluntarily prayed
"God pity him. y
!. THE TRIAL.
In the court house Of ST Louis a
few weeks previous. jury returned a
verdict of. guilty against the prisoner
at the bar, who was indicted for
counterfeiting. It was Flemmipg; a
name, which it was. evident be as
,umed.
"Prisoner. have you any thing to I
say before sentence is passed upon
ou?'. ,-ss -
Slowly the young man rose and
Nth trembling voice, thus addressed
he Judge: - /. f.ss'.7
s.Your honor-I have but a few.
words to say. ! bad determined to
,emain silent, but the wrong impress
on made upon your mind, as well as
,he minds Of the jury, urges me toJ
,peak. Sir, ! am not a copnterfelterf
IS the comnlonwealth's attorney has
asseverated. bave stood
1t the bar and in society as high, sir,
--but no." he faltered, 81 spent my (
asst dollar, as ! had thousands, at I
he gambling table. Iwas suddenly /
reduced TO beggary. What was ! to
do? 1 sought assistance from those
who had plundered me, and they I
gave me counterfeit money which,
knowing it to be such, / acknowl.
edge l passed. Sir, / have no more to
say. Iknow the law,and am prepared |
to hearts penalty. :
He sat down and buried his face IN
bis hands, Ss
YouDg man, . said the Judge, =
doubt not your statement. IN your
countenance. though there are signs
Of dissipation,t there are none OF those
evidences ofdepravity which Usually /
mark those in your present situation
BIT those advantages which have.
evidently been yours, do not nit
igate your crime. They should have
enabled you. to have battled noblyI |
against folly and disgrace; and what
ever feelings Of commisseration your
case may excite, the law is now my
only guide. You are therefore sen,
teuced to IL years hard lsbor 10 the |
iail and penitentiary Of this State
TIE PENITENTIARY. IS
Gloomy abode!--the cheerless
prriissaon-with I its high walls, itsa
small grated windows, its dark,|
! -