The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-08-26

At the foot of the scaffold rolled the
waves of vast multitude, gathered to
witness with curious eyes the death
struggle Of fellow being. Sad to re-
late, there were women with their babes
in the surging tide of life, over whom
the passing shadow of death would soon
be flung. Bearing back the throRg, a
troop of horse, their polished helmets
and sharp sabres glittering in the sun
light, curvetted and pranced beneath the
gallows. On the platform stood the
sheriff and his attendants, and the pris-
oner with the fatal rope around his
hand.
'One moment longerl' cried Luke
clinging in desperation to the arm of the
dread minister of the law. 'One mo-
ment longer, by your hopes of Heaven
Look there see you that cloud of dust?
It is horseman riding hither at the top
of his speed. He waves a paper in his
hand. 1t is Sir, Robert Ashland with
the reprievel JOY joyl father you are
saved =
'Reprieved, not pardoned J. said the
sheriff, as he lifted the cap from the
deadly pale face of Farmer Horton, and
allowed him to look onco more upon the
light of day. sac 3ai4soo
In the meanwhile Sir Robert had dis.
mounted from his reeking steed, and as
cending the ladder, stood beside the
sheriff. and handed him the document
that suspended the execution of the SEN
tence. He waspaler than the prisoner,
and lcaden. semieireles gave preternat
ural effect to his sunken black eyes,
luke = said he, L have kept my word
Horton-you are free man.
But how did you obtain the respite,
Sir Robert?' asked the sheriff
by swearing that L had discovered a
clue to the commission of the murder
by pledging my word that the assassin
should die on the soaffold.'
But who is he? Where is hep asked
the sheriff gr 81
He stands before you'll cried Sir
Robert Ashland.
You are mad = said the sheriff.
Il am not mnd,' replied the baronet.
Into your hands 1 surrender myself,
and command you to take me into Gus
tody. 1t will not be for long, though.
Hear me. On that fatal night, burning
with the injury and shame 1 had receiv-
ed, followed in the path of my enemy.
I had no weapon. but by chance [ STUN
hled on the horn handled knife that
Farmer Horton had lost. The tempta-
tion was not not thrown away on me-
As clutched the weapon, hugged the
thought of revenge to my heart. l spur
ed my horse after the retiring foe.
overlook him at the cross road-I seized
him in his saddle, stabbed him to the
heart, and hurled him to the ground
His horse galloped home riderlcss. 1
made wide circuit and fell in with a
party returning through the wood from
the village. The rest is known-how
Horton, by sad chance, came upon the
body and recognized his knife-how we
surprised him in tho very act-as al. ex-
claimed. You know his trial and his
sentenee-but you know not the pangs
of conscience, the agonies of remorse,
the imperious demands of pride and hon
or, that have contended in my bosom
since the fatal night. It is over now
the confession is made. My own lips
have blasted name that came down to
me from the Conquest unsullied by dis
honor Luckily it dies with me-for 1
am the last of my race
Luke wrung his hands as he listened
to this mournful tale,
My benefactor,' he cried, would that
I might die for you'll
Live to be happy said the baronet.
But forget not how low one hour of
evil passion has brought me-
'Hclpr helpr cried Luke, 'he is fall
ing-his limbs are giving way under
him.
The sheriff caught the unhappy man
in his arms. The surgeon who was in
attendance felt his pulse.
Good heavensn he exclaimed, 'he is
dying I''
Right, doctor, right J. said the baro-
net, feebly. Il promised to die on the
scaffold-but not by the halter. 1 die
by my own hand, poisoned. Another
crime, you will say. Ay, ay, one crime
brings on another-but owed it to my
ancestry; the haugman-never. Dark
ness-death now'
A shudder passed through his frame,
and then he lay motionless--lifeless
1t was not until many months after
this tragic scene that the good old rector
united the bads of Luke Horton and
Amelia Freeland, before worthy COM
pany, in the old village church. The
trials they hand Undergone chastered
their joy, but they were evidently so fit
ed for each other that every heart in
town throbbed with pleasure, as they
entered their carriage to start on their
bridal tour, while Farmer Horton, after
bidding them adieu, walked thoughtfully
home tn the nleasant farm house which