Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-01-30

there was a party IN their laVOr which was not |
entirel y senced by verdict Of guilty Of muir |
der in the first degree against the elder brother,
who struck the blow with the hoe, as was proved
that he acknowledged together with threats
made against GOWN life and verdict of man
slaughter or accessory to murder, against the
other brother, under which one was sentenced
to bc hung and the other to states prison for
life But these doubts were all removed when
II came out aiier the conviction, and while the
one sentenced to be hung was awaiting the time
fixed Tor his execution, that he had confessed to
the murder. This confession, duly prepared by
some one who had access to the prisoner, was
published, and that settled the case against the
doubers In the meantime the other brother,
who had gone TO his life imprisonment, was look
ed upon as a hardened villain, because he per-
sisted in still asserting their innocence 1t WAS
an assertion that availed Just as much, and no
more, than it did when they were borne down
10y tornado of prejudice, and convicted with
out evidence Of guilt.
" But why did you make the confession y We
asked the convicted man.
" Because life was sill dear, and was assured
that that was the only way to save it. | was
told that if | would confess, my punishment
would be commuted and might Join my broth
or. Anything, thought, rather than the gal
lows. | knew had been n wicked man, and |
thought lie u save my life was not a very great
sin, as it would give me more time for repentance
| could not read or write, and scarcely knew
what the paper contained that was told to put
my name TO. soon found what purpose it was
wanted for 1t was not to save my life. but to
prove TO my friends that my condemnation had
been Just. ] soon found than hal nothing TO
hopc-that mus, die on the gallows"
While one is toIng in prison and the other
within three weeks OF death, let us visit farm
house in New jersey, and look IN upon quiet
pleasant evening scene where the head of the
family is reading to those gathered around to
hear the news which weekly New FORK pa.
per affords them. lie has jus, finished detail
ed account Of the trial and conviction of the
Bownes for the murder of Covin During the
reading, the wife Of the farmer had her atlen-
ton very much divided between the interest
which she felt in the account and the effect it
seemed to produce upon an individual present
"a man who usually gave no indication of in
teresl in anything not Immediately connected
with the farm
" Husband" said the wife, " did you observe
Richard while you were readingl lie acted
singular"
" lie is a very singular in lvdua," was the
reply
So he was, and Mr.. Smith bad reason for his
opinion. About seven years previous to this
duce at market in this city. this man came to his
house. walking in with all the familiarity of one
at hnme making inquiries about family affairs
and how they had all been during his absence
IN fact, assuming IN all business matters about
the place the position OF Mr.. Smith. as though
he was that individual, and hal just returned
home after long journey. At first, Mrs Smith
was alarmed, but soon tonnd that her new lord
was an inoliensve, harmless maniac.
When Mr.. Smith returned. the new conner
met him at the gate, invited him IN, and wei.
coined him to the house asked him if he would
have his horses put up and stay all night and
finally seemed TO come to the conclusion that he
had right 10 stay, from the fact that he was
some that had h""r attending u his -aa;-s
during his long absencc-tor such the deranged
man considered it. And in this position the new
conner not only installed himself, but continued
for several long years valuable latOrer. asking
as his only recompense, his food and clothes. a
privilege OF calling everything his, although will
ing TO ALLOW the real owner tu transact all the
business and handle all the money The only
name he vas known by was Richard and he ut
ierly reiu'ed To give any clue 10 who or what
he was or where he came FROM and he soon
ceased to be wonder. 1t was remarked that
he had a scar of a severe cut on his head, and
whenever any allusion was made to it, he show
erwise. he was do,ilc conten,cd and oni,.t new.
or DESIRING to co anywhere "tT tbe finn This
evening, during the reading of the murder trial
Of the Bownes. he had shown more interest than
ever observed befnre unon anv snbisct nncon.
nerted with every dnv orcnn,s;np and dis
being observed by Mrs smith lsd ~ Gc.
qaent consultation and queries, coupled with at
temp,s TO elicit sometime from R;cLarJ that
would connec, him ,,;,b ,L,, .,T,;, L,, al ,;,h
out success.
II was about this t;me tho, Wr N pr;oo ho
came in some way coonizant If the circumstances
connected with his sinoular individu,l and bsv.
inc also read the account of tbe ,r;al and con.
yiction of the men. as he tbourb, u,on ;rsnfi.
cieut evidence. he made 4 ;onTn"v On n"rnose
TO see the man Richard. and clic,,. if possble
something from him. Undonbtcdlv II was,broncb
the influence Of Mr.. Price, that Mr.. Smith took
the course he did for the more he thounht upon
the strange disappearance of Colyin in Vermont,
and the sudden appearance of this man IN New
Jersey, and his mysterious conduct since, and
| pouplad that Iitl, th. H. ,l,