Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-24

"Can it be that they will condemn him p
May there not be some hope that a court
martial will full to convict him Of tho crime? -
gasped Palmer in an agonized tone.
Would could say yes but, sir, should
hesitate to deceive you with false hope. His
trial is already ended, and he has been found
guilty of the crime charged against him."
"Would that had died ere this blow came
upon me, and sinking into chair, he bowed
his head and wept like child.
"Clinton begs me to assure you of the high
regard he has entertained for your son, and"
"Go" uttered Palmer, waving his hand
~ can bear no more. Go, and leave me to
myself
The officer left the apartment, and Palmer
sank once mora into his scat.
+" Is there no hope?" he murmured "no
way by which this fearful blow can be averted
Bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh to per-
sh on the gallows Oh, heavens how it is
being restored unto me fourlold, as have
meted it out unto others. 1t has haunted me
these long years--.ever since he died for CRIME
OF which hs was as innocent as the King him,
self. l have digged the pit-others have fallen
therein, and now, as last scene in the drama
of life, the sins of my earlier years must be
visited upon me. And this too by rebel Cap
tain-a man whose power is as unlawful as if
he had armed himself against King George on
England's soil. All p" he muttered, while a
vindictive smile rested upon his face, "when
this man finds his power failing, when Wash
ington, Putnam and their associates see the
error into which they have been led, then, as I
live, he shall suffer for bringing my son to q
dishonorable end.'
How quickly the smile faded as his eye rested
on letter lying upon the table by his side.
"Yet even revenge is denied me. This letter
tells me the scheme to overthrow these rebels
power has failed, and something seems to whis-
per in my car that our troops will yield before
this rabble. But one step left-death. Twill
not be very hard to debut a moment between
time and eternity, and then-heavens be-
lieve / shall 60 mad," and with clcnched hands
he paced the room, as if the emotions which
moved him were verse than bodily torture.
Did I not tell you, Joel Palmer, that the
time would come when you would give gold un-
told to exchange places with me? +" and the
Maniac entered the room unbidden!, /"
"Ward!" exclaimed Palmer, while look
of hope assumed that of despair which had
settled buta moment before upon his features
"you can help me-
81 Help you, sir?''
/ Yes take these lands, my gold-all | have
on earth, only save my SON.
"Jocl Palmer, on my soul pity you, but
the die is cast-your son must die"
"And YOU will not even make on effort to
save him?"
"Were to do so, the effort would be fruit
less The law is impartial. He was taken on
suspicion of being Spy on the movements Of
the Americans, and subsequent Investigations
proved the correctness of the conectures at first
entertained.
"And you have helped on this result-watch-
cd like a tiger for its prey, until you wound
your tolls about him, and now exult in the sue.
cess of your plans
"Slr, your conclusions are wrong--all wrong
, "ris true that for years | have nursed within
, my bosom desire to accomplish your sons
ruin. Day by day it has increased, until al
J times it has seemed as if should kill him with
my own hand. But there isa Power higher
, than man s which has restrained me- and now
that he is so near the close Of his earthly career
there is not a feeling of cnmity in my sou
against him. Were his life in my hands, were
. it mine to give, he should be restored unit
4 you"
s Ward, ! believe you. Something tells IN,
| you are not deceiving me in this. | am no
D wont to allow my heart to yield to childisf
0 emotions, but your words disarm me of the bit
=, ter hatred have felt towards YOU
/" Pardon me, sir, if ask proof of this
Our intercourse has been of nature little cal
= culated to form in my mind feelings save thos
of distrust as to the truth of the words 70,
utter
r "Ward, give me at least your confidence il
this. You find me with the weight of year
resting upon me, and son about to fiji dis
t honored grave. have no wish to deceive you
Would that you had killed me when you wer
, t,mpted to do 50. Your proof, Ward?"
q " would have you tell me Of the woman
was sent to kill-tell me who that woman is !,
and the Maniac leaned forward awaiting witt
f breathless suspense the answer he should re
/ ceive. Long did Joel Palmer gaze at him, vary
e ing expressions passing over his face as he di
4 50.
Q " First till me who you are--you arc no
s merely Ward the Maniac. There is a myster
e which would know, even as you desire to solv
? thut which hangs around Mrs. Archer =
No, Joel Palmer, you have asked favor tha
cannot grant. 1t can avail you nothing t.
: know who and what am
" And you have asked for that which dealt
will forever hide fnon you, unless you learn
f from other lips than mine.''
"And you will not tell me what | ask-wi
: not grant me this simple boon? would Civ
! much, sir, for the light which you possess i
regard to this subject"
s "'Tis useless, Ward. No word ofmine sha
e throw light npon this affair. y
"As you choose, sir. You have refused
e simple favor--wll you tell me if you recogniq
e these features?" and thus speaking, the Mania
drew miniature from his bosom, and havin
L onnned the casa he lald IL nm hefore the visio