Amador weekly ledger., 1858-05-22

the parted soul For her, there was never
more either of time or space, with wearsome
cares, and bewildering heart breaks, or pains,
or pleasures Of the senses-nothing but the
beauty of immortal beings in the unknown
land which lies beyond the stars
On the following day, late in the after
noon, the funeral took place, attended by a
few poor neighbors, and Juliet Hale, with
some dozen of her slaves, from the large
plantation distant seven miles, But as the
first clod of earth rumbled on the coffin with
that dull, hollow sound, the most unutterably
mournful ever heard by human ear, a
strange incident startled the persons present
Five men, armed with pistols and guns, gal.
loped up to the grave, and one of them point
ing at the weeping son of the widow in her
bed Of clay, shouted fercely-
There he is that is the horse thief !"
The leader of the band instantly presented
his guu, saying, surrender. william, and &C.
company us as a prisoner
Col. Banks, what means this false
charger" said the proud Juliet, with flaming
eyes.
"Ah, Miss Hale, is that you ?" replied the
coarse-featured ruffian, with look of amaze
ment. :" I mean that this fellow yesterday
stole my best race horse, and for that act |
intend that he shall swing"
You are altogether mistaken at my mo-
tive" remarked the youth camly. And be
related touchingly the necessity and power Of
fiial tenderness, which urged him to commit
the deed
That is no lawful excuse retorted the
gambler brutally. "Selim was worth five
thousand dollars, and had that sum bet on
him for the next race, and l see you have
ridden him to death. Men, tie the rascal
and let us be off with him."
Stay" cried Juliet. blushing like scarlet
" Col. Banks, will pay you at your own
valuation"
No." exclaimed the other, and his fea.
lures writhed with demoniac rage. under
stand now why you discarded me- and made
choice of this beggar and thief but, by
heavens, he shall swingn
John Fitch was Immediately arrested and
carried to the Jail of Iredel Co., and the en-
suing week was tried. The evidence being
fully presented, the Judge, who happened to
be a particular friend of the prosecutor,
charged strongly that the defence set up fur
nshed no legal justification, and the jury ac-
cordingly returned verdict of guilty, but
with an urgent recommendation Of mercy to
the executive
The Court then passed the sentence Of
death in form-for such was at that time the
horrible punishment of horse-stealng -and,
as if to deprive the prisoner Of all hope, fixed
the day of doom for the following Friday
thus allowing insufficient time for application
to the Governor, in accordance with the
wishes of the merciful panel
The proud and beautiful Juliet had listen.
ed to the whole proceedings without any
signs Of extraordinary emotion, save the
death-like paleness of her features, hut as
the final and fatal result had been announced
she dispatched a trusty messenger to the capi
tai of the State, with certified copy of the
verdict, and powerful petition, signed by
oil the members of the bar, and most, innu
ential citizens, entreating for the pardon o
the juvenile convict, although it seemed near
ly impossible that q respone could be obtain
ed in season to prevent the execution.
Still onward, as ever, rolled the terrible
triumpnal car, of all conquering time, NOV
ing on those viewless wheels of irresistible
destiny, silent as the sepulchre, soft as the
fall of a roSe-leaf, and yet strong enough tc
crush all hearts, and crumble into dust The
granite of worlds
The day of doom arrived, and long before
the appointed hour, an immense multitude
collected, to witness the ghastly spectacle
Early in the morning, strange scene hao
been enacted, in the prison. The young Low
ers-the poor felon and the wealthy heires,
were welded indissolubly for life, but, oh
how brief must that life be for one when tn,
last light Of evening would shine on hi,
grave 1t was remarked by the holy minis
ter, who oilicated at the monrnful ceremony
that when the bride uttered her assent, sh,
added to the usual laconic response, in tone.
of the deepest fervor-" Forever aud evel
here and hereafter"
At length the crowd of thousands swayeo
to and fro and murmured like sea swept
by strong wind. The sheriff appeared with
the convict, on the scaffold, while the weep
ing Juliet, fated to be a widow almost a,
wife, took her place in covered carriage
near by. 1t would be species of profana
tion to imagine her feelings, much less to de
scribe them in the weak words of human Ian
guage.
The prisoner, standing erect, firm and fear
less as some mighty warrior, in the crisis o.
some great battle, offered brief address
representing the sorrowful story of his mis-
fortunes, rather than crime, with a Patio!
and eloquencc that drew tears from every
virtuous eye, and filled hundreds of heart,
with fury at the cruel spirit Of his prosecu
tors.
Finally the signal was given, and Johr